After about 6 weeks of not being able to ride due a knee injury, I went out today on the B400. The knee is not completely healed yet, but I'm supposed to be trying to use it now, painful though it is so what better way me thinks. Hmmmm...wonderful! The bike has just been stood for nearly all of that time (battery tender hooked up) apart from a short lived attempt to go to the shops and run around a bit on it during which time I cried with pain!! So I gave her the once over checking fluids, tyres, lights and stuff. I cleaned a fly dirt off the windscreen, but left a dead one centre screen as a warning to others to 'KEEP OFF'! I still cannot drive the car (it's a manual shift and it's my left knee that's injured). However, if I'm careful getting on and off the scoot it's not a trouble. Riding it, with it's auto tranny is bliss and very easy. So went out and covered about 50 miles on all sorts of roads. It was pure pleasure. Had an absolute ball. Going out again tomorrow...love scootering!

Well done squire, I'm glad to see you are slowly getting back into the swing of things...

Well, went out again and had a ball! Really did. BUT...picked up a bloody great 120mm nail in the rear tyre! I run Ultraseal in both tyres and I'm pleased to say it did it's job. It kept me safe on my 60 odd mile run. I had no idea I had a puncture until I returned home. I had gone straight in to the house to get my gear off. With cup of tea in hand I went back out into the garden and noticed a blue spot on the rear tyre. It was a big blue spot! Uh oh...I'm thinking! Upon closer inspection I see the very large head of a nail nestling in the tread surrounded by the blue Ultraseal marker. It had gone in at quite an angle. It wasn't just a nice straight into the tyre job. I checked the pressure and it was spot on for a warm tyre. That is, above the cold pressure by about 3 psi. I'd been tanking along in Suffolk for mile after mile and throwing it through the bends at quite indecent speeds. The bike loved it, me too! Judging by the look of the nail head, I'd say I picked up the nail shortly after starting the ride. Many years ago I was nearly killed by a slow puncture in the rear tyre of my bike so that's why I run Ultraseal. Glad I did as I've had no less than 6 punctures that I can remember in the last 12 or so years. All rear wheel too, and every single one sealed up ok with no further problems and no need to replace the tyre.

Now here's the thing. This time the Ultraseal worked a treat at preventing pressure loss. it kept me safe. But, I was a bit suspicious that the Ultraseal would not seal the nail hole this time. The tyre looked pretty damaged the way the nail had gone in across the tread and bands. But, in keeping with the instructions for Ultraseal, I thought I'd give it a go and see what happened when I pulled the nail out. I was careful to have a mallet to hand in case I had to bash the tyre, and rotate it, as per instructions for Ultraseal. I was also ready to ride it up and down the road as suggested after the nail extraction. So with baited breath, I pulled on the nail and did all the things I was supposed to do. It sealed! Phew! But then there was a huge blast of air and I was covered in blue gloop as the plug failed and ejected all the air. Damn. Never mind...the hole was very big and it's clear the tyre is damaged beyond repair so Ultraseal would never had made a permenant seal. Truth is I think the tyre is beyond any type of repair. Shame it only has 2500 miles on it.

Anyhoo...new tyre was ordered and today I removed the rear wheel and am taking it to Orwell MC's in the morning to have them replace the tyre and balance it. Yes, I like doing this sort of stuff myself. I've asked for the very best quality wind...the sort Bluebottle would want if he was having the job done! That lad is obsessed with wind!! Oh, it's the first time I've done any real work on my Burgman. Removing the rear wheel is a piece of cake I found. Whilst I was tinkering with the bike, after wheel removal, I waxoyled the lower frame parts and inspected all the nuts and bolts for tightness and corrosion. These bikes as so simple to work on I can barely believe it. Anyway, another boring post from me. I hope you are all having as much fun with your scooters as I am?

Hi data great post glad your getting around and yes I really do love scootering too

Good news on getting back out riding. Shame about the puncture, good that the ultraseal worked as it should.

Yep, had a nice shiny new tyre fitted today. I've also been assured by my dealer he has put in 'Leak Proof' wind! It's a new invention apparently and it only cost me £2.50 per psi. He suggested I should let them pump the tyre up to 50psi as it would only be another £125. A bargain I thought! Obviously, I jumped at the chance to get this in my tyre and handed over a goodly wedge to cover the cost. My dealer is so nice. He said he was waiting for someone like me to come along...to test the product at this heavily discounted price. He said he was losing money on it really but was still prepared to do it at that cost. I'm so lucky...

What colour was it? The blue or the green, I think the green is for the military but is better but costs more, some of the green got on to the market by mistake.

Data wrote:Yep, had a nice shiny new tyre fitted today. I've also been assured by my dealer he has put in 'Leak Proof' wind! It's a new invention apparently and it only cost me £2.50 per psi.

That's just the Suzuki wersion, the BMW leak proof air is £4.99 per p.s.i.
Totally worth it because it is harvested from high in the Bavarian alps by buxom blonde frauleins and sold in very stylish titanium designer packaging which is made in Taiwan.

Can't get the product in Kent at the moment, my tyre fitter won't put in anyway, he thinks it's messy stuff.

http://wizbangblog.com/images/2006/10/wcc10062006.jpg

is this what they are using to keep the preasure in