Michel's Motors

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
Hell Razor5543
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

How long before you were airborne? :D
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+

Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
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Zelandeth
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Zelandeth »

Can't remember exactly what model it was, but I had a very brief shot (on a private test track of course) of something 1300 powered by Suzuki.

Swore never again as I seemed it to be a very expensive way to kill myself very rapidly.

Think I'm more a lazy touring bike kinda guy where two wheels are concerned.
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Probably a 'Busa or a GSXR1300.

The former will be my next bike. Amazing machine.
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 14 Jan 2019, 17:49 How long before you were airborne? :D


Words cannot express how fast this thing is. It'll break the motorway speed limit.... In 1st..
Opening the throttle in 2nd at 45.. 90, seemingly instantly. I expected it to wheelie so I was ready to (and had to) roll the throttle of a tad to keep it on the ground.

I *must* have one, if it's the only other bike I ever have!
Hell Razor5543
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

How about a Yamaha V-Max? From an article I read anybody who tried it would need three things; Arms like a Gorilla, Brain the size of a Peanut, and reflexes like Grease Lightning. The arms were to hang on when you touched the throttle, Brain because it would be mashed against the back of the skull, and reflexes to try and keep it under control.

From what I can remember the USA got a normally asperated version (as their politicians thought the turbo charged version was too powerful, and was, therefore, dangerous), while Europe got the turbocharged model.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dSr6iAURkec/maxresdefault.jpg
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+

Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
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bobins
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by bobins »

My technique for avoiding wheelies is to grow another belly. This brings your centre of gravity forward and helps to keep the front wheel down. Pies and cakes are an accepted way of attaining this safer form of motorcycling :-D
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 15 Jan 2019, 09:35 How about a Yamaha V-Max? From an article I read anybody who tried it would need three things; Arms like a Gorilla, Brain the size of a Peanut, and reflexes like Grease Lightning. The arms were to hang on when you touched the throttle, Brain because it would be mashed against the back of the skull, and reflexes to try and keep it under control.

From what I can remember the USA got a normally asperated version (as their politicians thought the turbo charged version was too powerful, and was, therefore, dangerous), while Europe got the turbocharged model.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dSr6iAURkec/maxresdefault.jpg


THe V-Max is a slow antique compared to a Hayabusa, and they don't handle well, being based on a 1930s bed-frame. I rode one about 20 years ago, it was interesting in a straight line, but frankly scary at any other point! The V-Max had no turbo, it had a thing called V-Boost, which dumped more fuel in from secondary carb on each cylinder. It was disabled on the first import bikes, and in the UK to restrict it to 100bhp. I think the later ones got 145bhp, but weigh 290kgs, slightly more than a Hayabusa, but it's not aerodynamic, it doesn't handle, it's 50BHP down...

I don't particularly want it for the speed. I want it for the same reason a Citroen fan might want an XM 24V V6 - long distance trips at 85-90mph, almost ticking over, in aerodynamically smoothed comfort. I could buy an old man's BMW or FJR1300, but they're not fun when you want to have fun.
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

bobins wrote: 15 Jan 2019, 11:17 My technique for avoiding wheelies is to grow another belly. This brings your centre of gravity forward and helps to keep the front wheel down. Pies and cakes are an accepted way of attaining this safer form of motorcycling :-D


I have also installed this wheelie-stopper. It's made it damn near impossible to get the front wheel of my SV650 up without some severe provocation. Too brutal for my liking, as it needs so much I'm worried I'll overdo it. A 'Busa will wheelie on the throttle even with my lard on it.
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moizeau
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by moizeau »

I had a Blackbird, carb version, 150 horses. My mate had the Busa, it was called that because apparently if eats blackbirds in the wild. In bike form there wasn't a lot in it, the Busa just had the edge, though damned ugly. I liked the CBR, it was a ballistic sofa, not as pretty as my Zeph 11, but made up for it in power. 100 to 130 in 6th...3 secs, that was the useful bit.
My mate a had a Max, the engine braking was absurd, kept asking him is his brake lights worked!
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

I do like the Blackbird, they're a fantastic bike. A friend of mine lent me one, oh, 10 years ago now. That was a carb version and out on the deserted roads of Georgia and Alabama it was like riding a missile. It was possible to cruise at not far off 3 times the speed limit at times.

I'd still like a ZZR1100, but they're all a bit old now. You can pick up a minter for £1500 though, it's very tempting.

Back to cars - my free 307 is leaking oil massively from the headgasket. It's all over the belts and pulleys (aux belt not timing belt) so it needs the HG doing.

It can go to the big scrapyard in the sky then. I've commandeered the wheels and tyres (and Peugeot trims!) for the Xsara Picasso I'm caring for for a friend..
Pugasso
Pugasso
It doesn't actually look too bad. Perhaps I should get a Lion for the bonnet and boot..

The 307 actually looks OK on the manky Picasso alloys. Part of me wants to spray them white like the old Lancia and Peugeot Group B cars...
5A178FD7-B2B0-453D-961D-C94F567BB693.jpeg
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Louie the leaky Peugeot now has a new radiator. It’ll be good enough to get it to the garage who are buying it off me to repair and/or sell on. A shame really as apart from the oil leak which requires the head gasket replacing, it’s in very good nick. If it were something slightly more interesting and not 1.4, I’d be a lot more tempted to fix it.

If anyone on here wants it rather than the garage, it’s £250, with new tyres on the front, new front discs and pads and a new radiator. Runs and drives spot on. It’d be a nice little project if you can be bothered to do the headgasket - it’s only gone in one place where it mAkes oil leak out!
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CitroJim
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by CitroJim »

Good work on the rad Mike... HG is a nice project for the warm days of summer ;)
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

CitroJim wrote: 21 Jan 2019, 18:14 Good work on the rad Mike... HG is a nice project for the warm days of summer ;)


You’ll have seen the pics in the other place Jim. It’s a shame about the oil leak, so I think it will be sold on to my local Peugeot specialist who’s offered me a decent price for it - as it came with 3/4 tank of fuel too, l shall have made a nice little earner on it for replacing the radiator! The leak is too bad for me to ignore and carry on using it sadly
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CitroJim
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by CitroJim »

Michel wrote: 21 Jan 2019, 19:07It’s a shame about the oil leak, so I think it will be sold on to my local Peugeot specialist who’s offered me a decent price for it - as it came with 3/4 tank of fuel too, l shall have made a nice little earner on it for replacing the radiator! The leak is too bad for me to ignore and carry on using it sadly


That's a very fair result Mike :) One to go for without a doubt!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Michel wrote: 16 Jan 2019, 16:12
I'd still like a ZZR1100, but they're all a bit old now. You can pick up a minter for £1500 though, it's very tempting.


So, as Mr. Hellrazor will attest, as he took me to come and get It, I did indeed go and buy a ZZR1100.
These were my dream bike back when I just started riding.
Mine's a 1997 D5 Model, 145bhp, ram-air induction, carbs.. BFO chain and big fat tyres. No modern concessions here!

I'd forgotten quite how ridiculous hyperbikes are as everyday transport. Not the actual using them - the ZZR is a total pussycat to potter to the shops on or wherever. It's actually easier to ride than my old Suzuki SV650. It does 50mpg, has a light clutch, good brakes and a smooth and tractable motor. Wonderful for riding..

It also does 81mph in first, and is like a 1980s VCR machine - don't like the scene you're watching? Hit the FFWD button and go through a blur of vision until you get to a bit you like. It's still faster than a Honda Blackbird in top gear acceleration too.

One of it's best features is it's ability to surprise the youngsters who think it would be fun to blow away the fat old guy on the weird looking 90s Kawasaki, and then wonder where it went when the lights change, or tailgating BMW M5 drivers who think they will flash me at the end it of the M4 average speed limit zone and drive past.

No. Really. No. They won't if I decide they won't.
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