It is a double celebration as young Joe will be celebrating his birthday, each year with Ireen. Happy Birthday Ireen for today.

Look forward to seeing some  pictures, especially of the sidecar on the wing!!!

1. One of the first things I noticed was the rear lights – or lack of them!  Only the one light in the centre actually lights up
and that only works as a tail light ONLY, not a brake light.
The 2 lights in the top box work ONLY as brake lights and NOT tail lights.

I’m now wiring them so that ALL the rear lights work as tail AND brake lights too.
(ignore the missing panel on the left lower top box – I removed it to view the wiring harness)

2.  This bike now comes PRE-Wired for front lower FOG lights.
I checked the harness and found 2 sockets down behind the front cowl and a 4pin connector for the switch
in a boot behind the left control panel – just like the US spec bikes !

3. The rumours about a suspension upgrade interested me as I always install Progressive Springs and was hoping
that I might not have to do it to this bike.
When I checked I found the front hasn’t changed at all, and the rear spring now has less turns than the previous
model.  So,  I installed the Progressive upgrade today !

Bike stripped to gain access to rear shock                                           Compare springs.

4. The GPS screen is much better than the previous sytem and it allows you to choose various views -
ie  2D track up,  2D north up, or 3D view,  just like the Zumo.
from what I’ve seen so far the unit has an extra card slot so that custom routes can be loaded onto it and used on the bike
I’ll let you know how well that works when I’ve tried it.  If I go “off route” on the Easter Weekend you’ll know its not working
as well as I’d like

I got my painted panels back yesterday and today I’ve been busying myself installing them.  I’ve had the black panels
on the rear and sides, and the grey front and bottom cowls painted silver to match the side faring.

I’ve also had the wheels and cylinder heads powder coated in Satin Black

You might have also noticed on the photo above that I’ve fitted a pair of Cobra Tri-Oval exhausts too.

I’ll keep posting stuff as and when I do various jobs.

The sky was getting blacker and blacker as we head north to Brock Hole, to meet Ian, Denise, Stuart and Liz for lunch. At Manchester the M6 slowed to a crawl as we went through hail, sleet, snow and high winds, looks like we were in for rough weekend weather wise.

Brock Hole is a new nature reserve, just off the M6, there was a very nice tea shop visitors area but very little else, but I am sure in a few years’ time it will be buzzing with birds and wild animals.

After lunch we headed to Leyland and the Feathers Hotel. On arrival I noticed Ian taking his suit bag out of the back of this car “where’s my suit bag with my evening tops in?” I asked Roy.

“Did you put it in?” came the reply.”

“No, I left it on the hanging on the bedroom door, where you put it “I countered back.

“Well that’s where it is then” Roy promptly replied.

Oh well, I had a change of undies and a plain black tee shirts for the dinner dance, it’s not the end of the world.

Before dinner we met up with Jim and Jill, Christine and Dennis, by now the weather outside was cold, but I am sure not as cold as the dining room, which forced us all to don fleeces to keep warm. Alan and Ann arrived after doing battle with a grid locked M62, just in time to join us at dinner.

After a very nice dinner (except for the room temperature) we ventured to the bar for a night cap and catch up.

Saturday

There was a thick layer of ice covering the cars that morning, the sun was shining and the sky, clear blue with no trace of a cloud, so after a filling breakfast we piled into two cars and headed for Blackpool.

Oh dear, Jim, Jill Alan and Ann were all looking forward to riding on the fun fair, taking in the big dipper and the Pepsi Max, Oh dear !!! Blackpool was CLOSED. We were the only ones walking about, there was a biting wind coming off the sea, the promenade, which had had a lot of money spent on it , was deserted the only place full was Weatherspoons, where , with two members of staff serving we waited to order hot chocolate and coffees.

The main pier was closed, so we strolled along a very rusty framed one, for a quick photo shot and Jill and Ann had their promised ride on a stationary roundabout.

We all ventured into the town but again. It was deserted. So in true Elite style we stopped for lunch. Everybody wanted me to go shopping for a new top, so after some persuading we headed for Fleetwood and Freeport( a designer outlet) and I bought a new top ( identical to one of the ones hanging on the bedroom door!!)

The it was back to Leyland to get ready for the dinner and dance. While we had been enjoying the sights and sounds of Blackpool, Richard, Christine, Joe. Izzy, Steve, Sandra, Nigel, Sue, Dave and Meg, plus their family had arrived. So we had a quick catch up and head off to spruce up for the night.

At a reception of buck fizz and canapés we chatted with friends old and new before going in for the dinner. There were not so many people at the event this year, maybe it was the cost or maybe three years in a row, is too much, anyway Elite Wings had two very full tables. But nevertheless the meal was not bad and the dancing, had most people on the feet. We have some very niffty movers in our club.About 12.00 midnight  some of us staggered off to bed, while the rest of us played on blow up instruments and wore funny hats and glasses, See picture of Jill, until the early hours.

Sunday

After a late breakfast we all said our farewells, with promises to book on the years to come events.

Link to photo gallery 2012 to see all photos taken

What company do you use, how much are the premiums, is the service acceptable, is the cover suitable?

Please add comments so we can all share from the experience

Thanks

Only used once for a weekend trip to Belgium last October, and in 1st class condition. A real bargain.

Purchased from Wing Stuff in the U.S.

£50.00 or near offer.

Contact Nigel Tyler – 07989 548058

Its been very well maintained and cared for and its got lots of extras fitted to it too.
Its done only 35,800 miles,  its just had its 36k service and M.O.T and its fitted
with Avon COBRA tyres that have only done 1500miles !

Its now on sale at ONLY  £ 12,995.00

Its UK standard features include -
ABS brakes
Full audio system with built in intercom
Heated seats and backrest
Heated grips
Lower foot warmer vents
Electric suspension adjustment, etc etc

Its added extra features include -
Progressive suspension upgrade front and rear
Aftermarket CB RADIO and aerial for bike to bike comms
Front lower fog/driving lights
Rear spoiler with high level brake light
Top box luggage rack
Power sockets for heated clothing front & rear
LOTS of chrome bits including-
Lower cowl, Battery side covers, Swing arm pivot covers, Headlamp ‘eye brows’, Rear light trims,
Fairing intake grills, Radio knobs, Chrome mirror housings, Front fender extenda,
Trunk moulding inserts, Saddlebag moulding inserts, Saddlebag Eagle emblems, Front fender Eagle etc

This is a great opportunity to acquire a 2007 Wing in immaculate condition and is well worth viewing!

For more details or to view call ROB on 07805 563702

Thanks

GL1800 Brake Recall

Torrance, CA: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that a potential defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in the secondary master cylinder on certain 2001-2010 and 2012 model year GL1800 motorcycles.

Situation:
The compensating port hole inside the secondary master cylinder (part of the combined-braking system) can become blocked due to (1) stacking of tolerances in manufacturing and (2) sufficient swelling of the primary pressure cup inside the master cylinder. If the compensating port hole becomes completely blocked, the rear wheel brake caliper can drag after the rider releases the brake input. If this occurs, the rear brake temperature and pressure progressively increase. Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash and continued riding with the brake engaged can generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire.

Inspection and Repair:
Honda motorcycle dealers will inspect the secondary master cylinder of all affected motorcycles in dealership stock or sold to customers (consumers and commercial entities). If an inspection indicates that the compensator port hole can become blocked due to this problem, the dealer will replace the secondary master cylinder. Registered owners of affected motorcycles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their motorcycle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the motorcycle, and if necessary, replace the secondary master cylinder, free of charge.

Additional Details:
Honda motorcycle dealers will immediately receive a transmittal of complete repair instructions. Replacement secondary master cylinders in the U.S. will initially be made available through American Honda’s dealer technical support hotline. Upon approval by NHTSA, American Honda will mail a letter to all registered owners, and also post a copy of the letter on the Honda Brand website: powersports.honda.com. Target dates for website posting are before the end of December 2011, and mail receipt by registered customers should occur before the end of January 2012.

Honda apologizes for any inconvenience this creates, but feels the safety of our customers is the highest priority. Honda encourages every customer to contact their dealer to schedule an appointment upon receiving the SAFETY RECALL letter.

See also Stuarts Blog

If you are interested in supporting  Steve details can be found on their website

The adhoc section has galleries from our very first Scottish trip staying at Bo’Ness in 2002 organised by Norman and Ireen Scott , up to and including the various events organised to 2008.

The events after 2008 are in listed in years, 2009, 2010 and  2011.

We are still looking for photos for some of the past events, our PC crashed and burned so Roy and I have lost the Florida trip, Lands End etc.

Please send them through to me if you have any photos to be added