After the last trip to the Ring in September, I knew
something had to change, I needed ground clearance, that's what.
I'd adjusted what I could to assist in the suspension department
to little avail, so money had to be spent. Bearing in mind it's
getting near Xmas and my impulsive nature of wanting something NOW!!
I had to weigh up my options;
1/ Do I buy a new rear shock with a longer damper
rod? Obviously this would cost a considerable amount for a half
decent one and then it would show up the possible failings in the
forks, so I'd have to get them re-valved and re-sprung. Mmmm, good
idea and love to do it, but not enough wonger for that and besides,
there's bugger all wrong with the suspension on my Blade, it's excellent
for an out of the crate bike.
2/ Do I buy some rear sets? Oh yes, I liked this idea
I liked it a lot!
So, I started to weigh up the options on rear sets.
Most seemed to be rather expensive, Tony has Promach adjustable
r/sets fitted to his Gixer and they look very nice indeed, but they
should when you can buy then from, yes from, £319.00.
There are also the Harris adjustable ones too, but they look bloody
awful and immensely over engineered. There I was in a quandary yet
again, doesn't anyone make fixed rear sets for Christ's sake?
Well, funny that, because yes they do. I was sifting
through Superbike and at the back of the mag is a page devoted to
web sites. Surf was up so off I went. After a couple of fairly crap
sites I happened upon www.extremebykesportz.co.uk. This site offered
all that was needed for the track day loon. Not that I'm really
in to track days, but I need ground clearance and love the Nürburgring.
Sorry, back on track ……. sure enough rearsets could be
supplied and there were the usual Harris affairs and such like,
but there were also some fixed rearsets at a considerable amount
less in the dosh department. I got in touch with the chaps that
run the web site and they appeared to be a couple of like minded
individuals that love their bikes and basically seemed to have turned
a passion into a business. How envious am I?
Robby Moto
The
rear sets that interested me are not the best known brand. In fact,
I'd never heard of them; Robby Moto anyone? No, me neither, but
Ian and Phil, the guys at Extremebykesportz, had tried and tested
these on many occasions and definitely gave them their vote of confidence,
as if they wouldn't? Also, and this is certainly a clincher, you
can easily get any part if you suffer a breakage. You can even buy
one side complete, it doesn't matter. This I liked. So when I had
been persuaded by the offer of a tenner off the RRP and FOC P&P,
I was there quoting my credit card number as fast I could.
The prices for all the parts that can be supplied
are kept reasonably low, because Ian and Phil carry no stock, so
no overheads as such. They buy direct from manufacturer/supplier
at cost and therefore pass on a percentage of the saving to the
end user. I ordered my rearsets nearly two weeks ago. I received
a phone call from the guys on Saturday, (very nice touch that, they
didn't have to and I cannot possibly remember the last time any
supplier ever did that) to advise the rearsets had arrived and would
be 1st class mailed to me, so I had some idea of when they'd be
delivered. Sure enough, today they've turned up.
They are of Italian manufacture, very well machined
and not over engineered like some I could mention. No lighter than
standard kit but they seem reasonably strong and generally look
the part, all polished etc. The footrest position is now 15mm further
back and 10mm higher. This shouldn't be too extreme to compromise
what comfort I do get, but if it does, there'll be a 2nd hand pair
for sale rather soon.
Advantages
……. the cost, £171.69. Any disadvantages? Well yes,
but only one, and this one really depends on how finicky you are?
On the right hand side was a small sticker that read "Only
competition", and sure enough, when I came to locate the rear
brake light switch I had to use the OE Honda part. But this meant
the loss of the return rubber spring thing, but the lever returns
on it's own by use of the slave cylinder - not ideal, but hey, what
the heck! Admittedly the bike doesn't need an MOT for quite a while
and I rarely use the rear brake anyway, but all the same I have
ensured my brake light works. Doesn't go off mind you, but always
handy if it's foggy out.
The right hand side heel plate fits nicely, but looks
shite, so I've taken it off, the left hand side has it's own framework
that acts as a heel plate and looks very nice.
The
rear sets that interested me are not the best known brand. In fact,
I'd never heard of them; Robby Moto anyone? No, me neither, but
Ian and Phil, the guys at Extremebykesportz, had tried and tested
these on many occasions and definitely gave them their vote of confidence,
as if they wouldn't? Also, and this is certainly a clincher, you
can easily get any part if you suffer a breakage. You can even buy
one side complete, it doesn't matter. This I liked. So when I had
been persuaded by the offer of a tenner off the RRP and FOC P&P,
I was there quoting my credit card number as fast I could.
Advantages
……. the cost, £171.69. Any disadvantages? Well yes,
but only one, and this one really depends on how finicky you are?
On the right hand side was a small sticker that read "Only
competition", and sure enough, when I came to locate the rear
brake light switch I had to use the OE Honda part. But this meant
the loss of the return rubber spring thing, but the lever returns
on it's own by use of the slave cylinder - not ideal, but hey, what
the heck! Admittedly the bike doesn't need an MOT for quite a while
and I rarely use the rear brake anyway, but all the same I have
ensured my brake light works. Doesn't go off mind you, but always
handy if it's foggy out.
