frankjames1900
Veteran Member
The weather is great here too. I wish I could ride to work. Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've been on the site and hopefully everyone is doing well.



I do believe that machine develop personalities and I try not to make them angry or even worse jealous!My bikes are probably taking revenge on me for not using them for a long time![]()
I'm glad you were well-prepared for the situation! Was there anything notable about the circumstances at the moment the fuse blew? Or were you just moving along at a constant speed? Just curious.The way back, after a long working day, totally unexpected, the CB400F did quit on me.
Happened to me once turning right at a four-way stop with the blinker on
Addendum: I'm not sure I've seen your helmet before, but it's nice!![]()
Unfortunately, the world is becoming a less friendly place. It is not uncommon to see hundreds of cars pass by someone broken down on the roadside here in the US, because there is an increasing level of distrust. Many have been kidnapped, women raped and some even killed because they stopped to help someone, so most do not anymore.I also learned another thing, working on my bike at the roadside. No one stopped by to ask what was wrong and offered help. Not that I needed help, but I expected, just as I do when I see a motorcycle rider in need, stopping by. There were many motorbikes, sports bikes, and lot's of BMW's GS's, but they were all in a hurry. Since I carry tools, I always offering my help to someone with a motorcycle when in need. I even carry sets of modern fuses that don't fit my bikes, I carry a multimeter, and some spare nuts and bolts as well. I also have a long fuel hose, making it possible to donate fuel from my own tank.
You learn every day, but these are the things I don't want to learn.
Well, they weren't riding Hondas.There were many motorbikes, sports bikes, and lot's of BMW's GS's, but they were all in a hurry


Actually, I'm amazed at how clean it is considering he rode to work in the rain. Road splash always gets bikes dirty regardless how clean the pavement is, especially the exhaust where it dries too fast to rinse any dirt away.But you didn't go ride on an unpaved road. I wouldn't either, as nice and clean as it is.
All of his bikes, all the time. I don't know how he does that. It must be a Dutch thing.Actually, I'm amazed at how clean it is considering he rode to work in the rain. Road splash always gets bikes dirty regardless how clean the pavement is, especially the exhaust where it dries too fast to rinse any dirt away.
Actually, I'm amazed at how clean it is considering he rode to work in the rain. Road splash always gets bikes dirty regardless how clean the pavement is, especially the exhaust where it dries too fast to rinse any dirt away.
It must be a Dutch thing.

I also learned another thing, working on my bike at the roadside for at least an half hour. No one stopped by to ask what was wrong and offered help.
Jensen, nice to know where that asphalt was invented, we use it in NZ as well but only for roads that have a certain amount of traffic like motorways and some heavy use suburban. It is very good to drive and ride on rain or not, but when raining there is much less tyre spray coming up to the following vehicle And braking distances are good compared to sprayed on tar and chip surface.Indeed, it is a Dutch thing, and it is called ZOAB, which stands for Zeer Open Asfalt Beton (Very Open Asphalt Concrete) and is a type of asphalt with many small voids. Very Open Asphalt Concrete (ZOAB) is a Dutch invention. It was first tested in the Netherlands in 1972 and has since been widely used on the main road network. This porous structure reduces traffic noise and prevents spray, making it safer during rain. It is the most commonly used asphalt on Dutch highways and B-roads and is also known as "whisper asphalt." Due to the open structure, water with dirt will drain through the top layer to the sides. Ones in a while the ZOAB is cleaned with a high pressure water truck.
View attachment 51065
As you can see in the above picture, water is directly absorbed by the ZOAB, and takes the dirt through the top layer, to the side of the road.
The properties of ZOAB:
- Noise reduction, the open structure dampens traffic noise, resulting in a quieter road.
- Water drainage, rainwater drains into the voids, reducing spray, which increases road safety.
- Rutting resistance, ZOAB is highly resistant to the formation of ruts (potholes) in the road surface.
- Comfort, it provides a comfortable driving experience.
- Composition, it consists of a mixture of stones, sand, filler, and bitumen, with a high proportion of coarse aggregate and a relatively low proportion of finer components, resulting in a high void ratio (approximately 20%).
Types and Variants:
- Single-layer ZOAB: This is the standard form of ZOAB.
- Durable ZOAB (DZOAB): An improved, stronger, and more durable variant that has been available since 2007.
- Two-layer ZOAB (TZOAB): This is a variant with a coarse base layer and a finer top layer, which provides even greater noise reduction. This reduces the need for noise barriers.
When it rains I avoid the non ZOAB roads, I don't like to clean my bikes. Luckely, 90% of the roads are made of ZOAB.
















I hate to do it, but heating up everything around the carbs is the only way. I had to remove them anyway, to set the needles in a different position.I don't envy you having to take those carbs off to do a cleaning, but I'm sure you have your technique to make it easy.

You're in the position I was 20+ years ago, though the deterioration of discs in my lower back began well prior to that so pain has been a way of life for me the last 30 years, only worse with age. I don't ride as often as I used to, but the Ikon shocks have helped my situation since installing them last year.It feels like saying goodbye to motorcycling the way I like to experience it, but I'm realistic enough to accept the fact that I'm getting older, thereby taking more into account that the more careful I'm with my back from now on, the longer I can enjoy my motorcycling years to come. I'm not in pain, not before, and not after a ride, but it is wise to give my back a more gentle treatment, fitting better with my age and medical history, as I ride many hours on my bikes, and planning to do so for many years to come.
Well that's ugly. I've been telling people for years that excessive valve clearances can lead to this, but that is far worse than usual. I'm sure you won't mind if I borrow that picture to use as a worst-case scenario example for others in the future.Top of a valve![]()
Ofcourse, people might learn from it. Btw, the issue was visible from 5 out of 8.Well that's ugly. I've been telling people for years that excessive valve clearances can lead to this, but that is far worse than usual. I'm sure you won't mind if I borrow that picture to use as a worst-case scenario example for others in the future.
I've never seen that type of damage to a valve tip before. It's painful to see!
Did you acquire the F2? Or are you helping someone else with the bike? Is it of European origin?

it was the first time of my life that I had to use the Dremel to remove the mushroom at the top before I was able to remove them
After this incident, it never happened again, so I think it's safe to say that resonance was the issue that blew my fuse. I did read an article that did some research on fuses, and why modern fuses are build up differently. It seemed that resonance of the part within the glass tube (especially the longer 30 mm ones) results in mini cracks, and when there are enough, it will give up.I'm glad you were well-prepared for the situation! Was there anything notable about the circumstances at the moment the fuse blew? Or were you just moving along at a constant speed? Just curious.
Happened to me once turning right at a four-way stop with the blinker on. I had to use a rental scooter to get a fuse and was never able to determine the cause. I attributed it to the fuse being old (corrosion), but yours must be relatively new based on the recent rebuild.
I'm glad the replacement fuse got you home.
Addendum: I'm not sure I've seen your helmet before, but it's nice!![]()


