Anyone want a paperweight?

Yet another new battery fitted a month or so ago. Now it won't charge again. Again!

Blissful silence whilst getting lost in Wales next week...

I should add that it isn't 'not charging', rather the charging red LED doesn't light and therefore it isn't charging...

...if the tarmac melts!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-62152863

Think about that next time you Chuck it into a rapid bend in 30° temps 

Welsh Wramble 2022

Following on from last years very successful outing, we are heading back to the Principality, basing ourselves in Llanwrtyd Wells for the duration.

Great roads, wonderful accommodation and a pub with its own brewery out the back. What's not to love?

When?

Sunday 11th September to Wednesday 14th September incl. So, arriving on the Sunday and leaving on the Thursday.

Where?

Bryncelyn Guest House,
Dolecoed Rd,
Llanwrtyd Wells
LD5 4RA

Tel. 01591 610242

Lorna and Ian have taken over the running of the B&B from Lil, Lorna's mum, who has been there since forever and now lives just around the corner.

Bryncelyn has plenty of off-road parking on the private drive and last year, mainly because of Covid restrictions, they provided packed lunches at a nominal cost which worked out well for most of us.

OR

The Neuadd Arms Hotel
The Square,
Llanwrtyd Wells
LD5 4RB

Tel. 01591 610236

Again, plenty of off-road parking in front of the hotel.

How much?

Bryncelyn. £50 per night B&B on a sole occupancy basis.
NB Bryncelyn is now fully booked.

Neuadd Arms. Call for rates.

Anyone who is staying in the Neuadd Arms is more than welcome to park their bikes in the more secluded parking of Bryncelyn and Lorna is more than happy to have them join the rest of us at breakfast, just so they don't feel left out.


Who?

Confirmed so far are:

Richard (richtea) - Booked
Matt (Matt  ) - Booked
Martin (fjtwelve) - Booked
Tom (TomK1300s) - Booked
Philip (Philip) - Booked
Tom (TomL) - Booked
Ron (drumwrecker) - (Retired, injured)
Brian (Phmode) - Booked

What for?

Being a single base for the duration means folks can choose when to arrive and depart, whether to ride with a group or head off on their own and can choose where to go and what to see.

More details on destinations, routes etc. will appear in due course.

Last year, we had two full days of riding with defined routes and two half day mini trips on the Monday and Thursday, (although the Monday mini trip to the seaside turned into a mammoth jaunt)...

By arriving on the Sunday, we will be able to get three full days riding in and maybe even do a couple of mini bits on the Sunday and Thursday, depending on the weather and our stamina levels.

If you would like to join us this year, please speak to Lorna on the number above (or pub if Lorna is full) to book a room and let me know so I can add you to list of attendees.

If the B&B is full, the pub next door (but one) should have plenty of rooms available and that's where we will be every evening as soon as the helmets are off...

Routes
Save these to your various devices or parchment please (link is the route name):

Route 1a - St David's (good weather)


Route 1b - St David's (bad weather)


Route 2a - Aber Falls


Route 2b - Aber Falls plus Snippet


Route 3 - Mid Wales


Route 4 - Elan Valley Dams (minor roads)


Route 5 - Snippets

https://www.bikertekshop.co.uk/

I was amazed at the quality but the prices are a bit painful...

Garner has finally been found guilty of pillaging the Triumph pension funds according to the comic. 

Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and hopes for a slightly better 2022. Brian

I popped the K in for its MoT today and it passed with flying colours, which is odd for black on black bike...

However, the tester asked me if I knew what the tic, tic, tic, tic noise was emanating from the left caliper.

After a few seconds a couple of brain cells glimmered into life and I remembered Rae and Philip and I poring over the front wheel at the lunch stop in Dolgellau on this year's Wrinklies. Needless to say, we found sod all and I promptly forgot all about it.

It isn't there, or at least, obvious, on the road, only when moving the bike forwards slowly, and only then when the bars are turned slightly to the right. No, seriously...

It was so noticeable whilst manoeuvring the bike into a parking space, that Philip could hear it from his bike. At first we thought it was a stone in the disc but couldn't find any signs and Phil the tester put it back up on his ramp after the brake test across the car park and he couldn't find anything either.

Now, I am probably to blame as I fitted new OEM pads to the front before it went into Cotswold Motorrad for a service before the Wrinklies and so I now know what I'm doing this weekend.

However, whatever it is, how come it only does it when the bars are turned slightly right? This makes no sense at all.

Suggestions on a £5 beer token to the usual address will all be welcomed.

This is the perspective of BMW on the Ricardo Engineering development work on the K1200 engine to produce the K1300. Again, it is plagiarised from the Ricardo Engineering quarterly review newsletter of Q2 2009.

The BMW Motorrad perspective

Dr Christian Landerl, executive vice president of development and model lines, BMW Motorrad, on the K 1300 programme and the company’s strategy to develop its brand in new market sectors

Given BMW’s expertise as an engine designer, what first prompted you to outsource this work?

"Nowadays it is quite common to outsource engineering work to cover peak load. What exactly you outsource will depend heavily on the situation and on your own expertise. The obvious thing would of course be a technological revision of an existing concept, while core activities such as the completely new development of an engine would normally be carried out by BMW Motorrad itself."

Why did you choose Ricardo to work with you on this project in particular?

"We choose our partners by tender on a project-to-project basis according to expertise, capability and not least cost effectiveness. In this case, Ricardo made us the best offer and was awarded the contract."

What were the main reasons for upgrading the K 1200?

"To make the motorcycle even better and more desirable than it already was and thus offer the customer significant added value. And of course this creates a purchase incentive, too. Customers also expect model revisions to be carried out on a regular basis."

What did you see as the main technical challenges?

"I would say increasing output while at the same time improving rideability, even in the bottom part-load range, combined with low fuel consumption and outstanding exhaust emission levels, as well as a perceptible improvement in comfort in the powertrain and improved shifting."

Will this approach (outsourcing to Ricardo) extend BMW Motorrad’s development capacity?

"Of course, the capacity which was freed up in BMW Motorrad’s own development department was used for the development of the engine for the S 1000 RR which recently had its press debut."

BMW appears to have a very aggressive new product strategy for its motorcycle products. Can you describe the way in which you see the BMW motorcycle brand developing? What new market sectors are you targeting?

"With our core models in the enduro, touring bike and sports touring bike areas we are addressing our traditional customers – there won’t be any change here. In addition to this we want to attract new and especially younger customers who we have not been able to reach with our existing product portfolio. We are deliberately expanding our range to include market segments which are new for BMW Motorrad. With the S 1000 RR we are moving into the superbike segment for the first time, and with the G 450 X and our second brand Husqvarna we are covering the segment of sports- oriented off-road bikes."

What are the major market trends affecting the BMW motorcycle brand? Do you see it as developing in a distinctly different manner to the BMW automotive brand or are the two very closely related?

"In comparison to the competition, BMW Motorrad has been highly innovative for years. Now the sporting component is being clearly emphasised with new models and developments. In this way, the image of BMW Motorrad is being moved much more towards that of BMW automobiles. BMW Motorrad is being perceived as more sporty and dynamic than before."

You work with a number of manufacturing partners in Asia and elsewhere – is this collaborative approach a major enabler of your expansion? How do you see this changing in the medium and
longer term?

"BMW Motorrad operates internationally in terms of its markets. And the same applies to material purchasing, of course. This enables us to secure access to the best technologies available worldwide.
At the same time it allows us to stay closer to the markets and protect ourselves from currency fluctuations. What is more, this approach means that even in very price-sensitive vehicle categories we are able to maintain an attractive and high- quality BMW Motorrad range.
The trend towards internationalisation will continue – but a BMW will always remain a BMW with its characteristic core values, “built by BMW Motorrad.”

End.