[SnS_12]

Went for a short spin to Bandra and back and this will be the last ride mostly before the bike is packed for monsoons. Normally I don’t ride in the city on a Saturday but had no option as I had to ride the Busa and RX today and have to ride Bianca (848) tomorrow.

After riding Bianca, Bluebird just feels like a fast comfortable couch in comparison . Bianca is really demanding physically, mentally and financially so it feels good to get more from a bike with less efforts.















Clicked pics at the same spot as I had clicked with Bianca



All 1’s

[SnS_12]

Monsoon hibernation is done and dusted and took out Bluebird to stretch it's legs. I had topped up the fuel tank in early June and the fuel indicator needle was still near the full mark when I started it today. Would like to use up the old fuel as much as possible before I visit the petrol station and today after riding to South Mumbai and back there is still more than half tank of fuel left.

Also, wanted to test/breakin the new Dainese gloves that I had picked up from London in June this year. I plan to use it only for city rides and for the long highway commutes will use my regular cramster gloves which are over a decade old and still holding on well.

My friend who rides a CB 1000 wanted me to join him to Charoti today but I had some work in Bandra (picking up another scale model) so told him will join him next weekend. Now, it has been two weeks since I rode Bianca so wanted to at least start and do the regular warm up as well. But I instead ended up riding both bikes back to back.

So the day started with riding bluebird all the way to Fort where I took a short break and mandatory photos outside my kinda temple and headed back home before taking Bianca out to Bandra and back. Ideally I should have ridden Bianca first as it would have been more cooler weather wise, lighter traffic and I wouldn't have been so drained out already. But I wanted to ride bluebird for a longer distance as it was it's first outing from the garage in almost 4.5 months. It performed flawlessly and eagerly waiting to ride her on my regular stretch of tarmac where I can open the taps and keep it open for a little longer

Some pictures...

[SnS_12]

Being Diwali the OG Phataka got the preference today and boy did those TBR exhaust's create a racket today. Those pops and bangs especially on second and third gear when you cut the throttle around 9k to 10k rpm are just out of this world and even with the Shoei helmet which reduces the noise levels I could hear them and I could only imagine the fear the other fellow motorists would have had when they heard this ICBM approaching.

While the handling is not as sharp as Bianca and the rear moves around more than I would like but still it was one fast ride and I put it through its paces, which I hadn't experienced for a while now (running in of Bianca). I think I might move to a more sticker rubber sooner and might happen early next year. I had no issues with traction today while I was accelerating hard out of corners or braking but for my style of riding I don't think these Vredestein rubber is the correct choice and especially with the issue of people complaining of it loosing grip levels as the kms pile up. So, this is something that is running on my mind especially after experiencing the Diablo Rosso 4 on Bianca.

Some pictures...



Time to add some kms really really fast





















Bug splatter. This missile spares no one.



Visibility on the return journey had gone for a toss.





Some os the best pics clicked by GP yet of Bluebird and me.. The Shoei helmet stands out too in a sea of Blue..



Who would say she is almost a 7 year old bike. Shines and rides just like new.

[SnS_12]

While Bianca (848 EVO) got most of the attention towards maintenance and upgrades in the last one year Bluebird had to be happy with just a Sprint filter replacement done during the annual maintenance service along with the coolant change and all fluids being replaced.

Also, it turned 7 in late February and it still feels like yesterday when I had got her in 2017. It’s such a forgiving motorcycle and the engine on it is up for any challenge thrown at it at any time. While Bianca is razor sharp all the time and you need to get every input spot on to get rewarded or else it will throw its tantrum at you and the worst being riding it slow in stop go traffic. Bluebird on the other hand is chill in any situation and will turn into a beast the moment you command it too.

Some pictures…

The Sprint replacement filter. Fingers crossed and hoping it restricts dust intake just like the OE filter.





Celebrating Bluebirds 7th birthday with a pastry.



Rode it to one of our regular hangouts where the staff got the pastry out and were equally surprised to see a birthday celebration for a super bike.



Took the Mrs for a spin after ages..



Mandatory pic with The Bank



Went for a spin today as had to take Bluebird for its detailing maintenance to OCD. Waiting at my friend's colony.



Bombay Coffee house scenes. Better to reach at 9 to get a table as this place attracts quite a crowd.



At OCD. The regular challenge for the guys to make a clean bike cleaner..









Finally decided to take off the clear tank pad except for the bottom piece as it started yellowing..









Taking off the residue glue left behind for a clean look.



Benefits of getting a good detail done from the right guys. The other Busa is three years younger to mine but looks older in comparison.



All done and shining like new. Will have a few more heads turning on the return journey back home.









Now I have to take out time and enjoy riding it before the monsoon hibernation…

[AtheK]

Good to see blue get some love after your total fixation with the Italian steed off late, order some parts quickly now for the Japanese also.

Happy Birthday to Bluebird and wishing her many more happy and safe riding miles.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Good to see blue get some love after your total fixation with the Italian steed off late, order some parts quickly now for the Japanese also.

Happy Birthday to Bluebird and wishing her many more happy and safe riding miles.

Thank you Bhai..Bluebird already has all the aftermarket accessories required to make it perfect.

Now, maybe the money has to be used to add one more bike (for which I have no time to ride ) instead of accessories…

[akshayhonda]

With the Italian taking all your time and attention off late. If ever you wish to there is a house in Goa which would love to have Bluebird forever my friend

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by akshayhonda

With the Italian taking all your time and attention off late. If ever you wish to there is a house in Goa which would love to have Bluebird forever my friend

Thank you brother. But, hopefully that time never comes till I close my eyes forever…

The Italian is a March 2012 make and now 12 years old and since it was not run for 11 long years meant a lot of maintenance/replacement work was required to make it perfect (Virgo problems ) Now, both the bog bikes will see equal running time.

Now, next on my list to get running are my RD’s which has turned into a graveyard for pigeons

[minzanurag]

Originally Posted by SnS_12

Attachment 2581513

Boy ! does that chain look clean?.

I have a habit of unknowingly looking at chain of bikes esp. the 500+ cc while riding, stuck in traffic, in parking etc. and think about how much the owner takes care of the bike. This surpasses everything . I try to do the chain cleaning myself to the best of my abilities but if I am able to achieve this level, I'd be pretty smug.

Do you clean the chain yourself or leave it to the experts to keep the chain in this condition? Which products do they use?

Cheers !

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by minzanurag

Boy ! does that chain look clean?.

I have a habit of unknowingly looking at chain of bikes esp. the 500+ cc while riding, stuck in traffic, in parking etc. and think about how much the owner takes care of the bike. This surpasses everything . I try to do the chain cleaning myself to the best of my abilities but if I am able to achieve this level, I'd be pretty smug.

Do you clean the chain yourself or leave it to the experts to keep the chain in this condition? Which products do they use?

Cheers !

Thank you Sir for the appreciation and the chain on the Busa has attracted a lot of the attention on this thread in the past as well.

I clean it myself every 700 - 800 kms and use the following products

3M chain cleaner and Nulon chain lube..



The other products i use to clean and polish my vehicles

[minzanurag]

Originally Posted by SnS_12

Thank you Sir for the appreciation and the chain on the Busa has attracted a lot of the attention on this thread in the past as well.

I clean it myself every 700 - 800 kms and use the following products

3M chain cleaner and Nulon chain lube..

Attachment 2581962

Thank you for sharing the product detail and really awesome job of maintaining the bike in such an immaculate condition.

I will try the Nulon lube. Currently, I am using Putoline but I think the white wax is not as easy to remove like normal lubes. I tried it based on reviews which suggested cleaning and lubrication interval is longer since it repels dirt better. However, as per my usage, I feel it needs to go through the cycle every 600-700 kms.

Cheers!

[Mr.Ogre]

Man thats a fine garage you have got with good collection of bikes. Here are my babies, and if my wife could allow me to have one more bike I would love to add a Suzuki DR-Z400SM.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ogre

Man thats a fine garage you have got with good collection of bikes. Here are my babies, and if my wife could allow me to have one more bike I would love to add a Suzuki DR-Z400SM.

Thank you brother. You have a lovely and interesting pair of rides as well. Have never ridden an R1 ever and I am quite sure the day I do I would be on an active look out for one. Next on my radar is a classic Japanese naked and an extreme Italian V4. Lets see what happens first or maybe a third option enters the equation.

My only issue is that I am tight on parking space and that i can’t make enough time to ride my bikes. On the parking front out of the six bikes one that belongs to a friend would sadly be on its way out very soon and the other thing that I always tell my wife and my parents is that I am not getting younger as every minute ticks by and I have only a certain time left when I can physically enjoy riding these bikes. My wife is really supportive about my passion for two wheelers and four (which I am yet to buy one of my own) and my father is cool about it now till the time my madness is not executed with borrowed money (EMI’s in my family is a strict no even for real estate).

So, try your luck with your wife for the 400 but remember if that happens that won’t be your last, kyunki ‘ Ye Dil Maange More’

P.s - Why is the R1 number plate black and the other one yellow?