Another greeting from Ireland

[dal]

Greetings,
After [too] many years without a bike, the rediculously mental daily commute from Meath to Dublin brought me to my senses and I decided to get myself back on again. The next step, convincing my wife that this was a good idea, was much more difficult. She finally said yes. Not because she suddenly agreed that it was a good idea, but probably more like "if I say yes, will you shut the **** up about it"! One condition. Second-hand only. Nothing new until she knows I'm serious about it. Fair enough.

I'm probably showing my age here, but my 12 year biking background started in the late seventies and ended in the early nineties. I can't remember why. I'm originally from Scotland [been in Ireland now 12 years] and I never did my bike test; but I remember running around on a suzuki TS125 then a GT185, on to a KE125 [obviously when the restriction laws came in] and my last one was a late eighties XL125. Nothing big.

So here I am in my mid (ish) 40s and I had to go and do a theory test for a motorcycle learners permit with a bunch of kids. Thankfully, no problem.
After a load of research [here and elsewhere], I decided that a restricted Transalp was the ideal bike. Searched around a bit and finally came across a 1996 imported 400. I decided to go for it. Picture below.

After a first few shaky miles, it all came flooding back and I'm loving it. I'm even more confused as to why I stopped. At the moment I'm sticking to short local journeys until I've done a good refresher course and got some practice time. Finding this forum really useful.

The tyres, Avon Distanzas, probably only have another 1000km left in them so I'm looking at changing both of them over to the Metzeler Tourance. Decent choice?
There's very little documentation on the 400 so, apart from a few differences, I'm assuming it's pretty much the same as the 600? Anyway, I bought the Haynes manual for the 600v 650 etc. and it seems that's the case. Anything in particular I should be looking out for?

Cheers,

[Lutin]

Hi Dal

That's a nice clean looking Transalp you have there. As far as the 400 version is concerned, I think that they were originally a Japan only model. Apart from the engine size, there should be no other differences to a 600 model of the same year, as far as I know.

There's not much that breaks on these bikes as long as they are looked after. The main points seem to be to keep an eye on the brake calipers as if they are left they can start to bind. They are easy enough to clean and if any work is needed, then they are a doddle to work on.

Oh, and don't have the chain too tight. There's been a whole load of discussion on how tight the chain should be. I stick to what the handbook tells me - 40mm slack with the bike on its side-stand and have had no problems.

Welcome back to the fold. Anything you need to know is probably on here somewhere. Enjoy.

[Interceptor]

Good luck with it - I like the shellsuit paint job (urban camouflage for a 1980's shopping centre). Mind yourself on the roads - its not as easy as it was twenty years ago and other traffic is moving faster.

'cptr

[Sharribee]

Hi there and welcome to the site, we seem to be having an influx of Irish members lately which is great, lots of people who can show us round when we come and visit.

I think there are some rumblings of an Irish meet going on so you will need to check out the meetups section if you haven't already meetup and rideouts where you can see if there are any rides planned in your area or post to organise one of your own

I love my transalp, I had Distanzers on and have switched to Tourances and found the difference to be huge. I love the tourances and now wouldn't put anything else on for road riding.

Just so you know there are lots of different sections to the forum so take a look around, we have a very lively and just a little bit odd Chatter section for any old rubbish and chat, sometimes bike related more often just a vague link

If there is anything you want to ask or if you have any problems then post in the problems with the forum section there are lots of helpful moderators and admins around that will help


Anything else give us a shout

[dal]

Thanks for the welcome and the tips guys.

Good luck with it - I like the shellsuit paint job (urban camouflage for a 1980's shopping centre)......

I guess I'll blend right in as I drive through 'da nort soid' then.

Translation:
['da nort soid' = the north side of Dublin]

Cheers,

[phil2alp]

Snap! We've got a similar biking history- I had a Suzuki GT250A in the Seventies, followed later by a TS 250. Luckily I've kept riding since then.

I've got Metzeler Tourances on my 98 TA and find them a great tyre. You may have heard this from others as well but I don't like Bridgestone Trailwings at all. I couldn't wait to wear them out. I thought they were horrible. Although I don't know what the Battlewing, the tyre which has replaced the Trailwing, is like.

Cheers.

[russh]

Hi dal,

a very capable bike the 400, two Australians rode a pair of 400's from London to Tokyo. link here

I like the shellsuit paint job (urban camouflage for a 1980's shopping centre)

[phil w]

What would the 400 manage on the open road I have never seen one of these on here before. Is it exactly the same size. Just interested Are they lighter??

[tonyk]

How are yis, dal,and ceptor
the Irish crew IS Gettin, F#$&IN Huge,might be able to join forces with a certin German for an Invasion

easy on the nort soid,

Im a REAL Nort CiDER

Thats a minter ya got there, well done,hope ta see yis on da road

WELCOME

Tony K

[goldiefish]

Paddys everywhere. Worse than wasps in summer...