It's not very gold at all.

Well, it is really.

Anyhow, I set off this a.m. with helmet in bag.

DLR to Greenwich, train arrived as I got on the platform;
G'wich to Ldn Br, train arrived as I bought my ticket.
Ldn Br to Smitham, arrived with a minute to spare.
Train splits at Purley - no driver. For 32 minutes.

Arrive at dealer, sign stuff over coffee, borrow 4mm allen key to fit
RAM mount to clutch clamp[1], attach Zumo, plug in mp3 player, 'phone
TOG, and I'm off.

It pulls from nowhere, feels more than 50kg lighter than the 15,
steers like a dream, stops on a sixpence. IT's DEFINITELY got ABS, and
footwarmers, and heated grips, and heated seats, and electronically
adjustable suspension(with two memo settings), and FM/AM radio, with
option for CD player, and Aux input, and six speakers, and central
locking, and "call" button to find if you lose it, and opening and
closing ceremonies on the dash (which can be personalised) and lots of
other buttons and a two hundred and eighty-two page owner's manual.

Not workshop - owner's.

Paraded my new toy to Familles TOG and Rowan, then set off for work.

Must have got confused at Neil's directions, cos he went past me on
his K11 at Colliers Wood, and then led me into town.

Filled up at Streatham, stopped at thirty quid.

Parted company at the foot of King William St, then settled down to an
afternoon of relentless toil.

Picked up madam this evening, and she reckons that non adjustable
pillion footplates, and a slighty shallower (if wider and deeper)
topbox is a retrograde step.

Ride, comfort, audio, etc are all pronounced as improved.

It's tucked up for the night now, with the poor old 13 relegated to
the drive until I *finish* sorting the garage out.

I'm slightly more hopeful of a successful outcome, fitment wise, than
I was.

All in all, one chuffed Dodger.


[1] 5mm key to get original bolts out, 4mm to fit longer replacements.

 

Mitcham, actually, nowhere near CW, so yes, confused you were

 

Only two, truth be told.

Little flaps on the side of the exhaust cowling, opened by a lever,
ducting warmed air onto your feet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38219192@N00/5307292446/

The 1500's got them, too

 

And very effective, and welcome, they are too!

 

For anyone with a foor, sure.