15th October

Ah, it's been a long time updating, and to be quite honest there's not much to add, but I'll trawl through the cavities of my mind and recall the fun. The R1 has been in many ways my physio while my knee gets back to something resembling normality. That means that I've not been wazzing about like a madman trying to open up fresh wounds. But slowly the speed has been coming back and the R1 has been kind enough not to bite back.

As a commuter, it works pretty well. It's not too cramped, although my wrists do get a pounding covering the clutch waiting for the next goon to launch themselves from a side road. I had a new Renthal front sprocket delivered to the office (01522 791369), and I've had every intention to fit it, but a full system has just got in the way. I've stuck on the Leo Vince headers and cans, not really expecting too much, but fuck me, she flies now.

The local dyno is out of action but I'm hoping for a double figure increase. The way it picks the front up in second certainly indicates that, the only problem now is the front is a bit lively - what with very little weight over it. With the summer gone, a steering damper propably isn't needed now, but it certainly would be if the good times were ahead. So the sprocket is on hold for a week or so. I need to get my head round the new power, before I head straight up into the clouds.

Oh yeah, polished wheels are still a pain in the arse to maintain. Told you.

11th August 2003

Simon vs The Rock
As part of my ongoing rehabilitation into the world of biking, I took Pirelli up on their offer of a day's tuition at the California Superbike School at Rockingham last week. I'm a firm believer in tuition, even if it is often accompanied by a bit of humble pie as all your bad habits are exposed for being rubbish.

Having been off the road for so long, it was an ideal opportunity to start afresh and to absorb all the input that headmaster Andy Ibbott could impart – so I cleared my head with all the stuff I thought I knew and got on with being a model pupil.

The school is run incredibly efficiently and the staff are all really friendly, making the laid back relaxing and the switched on bits very useful. If you've read any of the Keith Code literature, the day demonstrates what good sense the man has. But if your new to the Californian guru you'll find that the staff introduce the basics well giving you ample opportunity to practice what they preaches in the five 25-minute sessions on track. There's plenty of track time, but if you're looking for a trackday this isn't it (if it were it would be pretty pricey one). Open your mind to be educated and that's how you will get the most out of the day. I just wish my freaking toe wouldn't deck out on every corner…

Needless to say, the R1 was flawless throughout the whole day. Thanks to Pirelli (www.pirellimoto.co.uk) I was treated to a set of Diablo Corsas, which couldn't have been any more perfect for the (semi-sensible) track action. I'll be spending a bit of time on them on the road too so I'll let you know if they suit everyday riding. The pressures were dropped right down for the track (plus it was bastard hot all day) to 29psi at the front and 31psi at the rear (down from the high thirties recommended by Pirelli) and I didn't hear a peep from them.
So check out the school at www.superbikeschool.co.uk

The filter bullied three specialist tools into submission 21st July

Now that I've had a week or so on the bike, it's time to treat it to a quick once-over. The poor Yamaha had been run in at a Jerez trackday earlier in the year and then just dumped outside the office. So a quick look on the odometer revealed it was time for an oil change – and fast.
Now, to keep your warranty fresh, you should take your new bikes to the dealer for your first service – most dealers will only charge for the parts too – but once in a while it's good to get your hands dirty. So it was off with the bottom fairing (a piece of cake thanks to Allen screw zeus fasteners) drop the sump plug in the oil bucket and off with the filter. Well, the last bit was a struggle and a half thanks to some robot in Japan tightening it to within an inch of its life. It was on good 'n' proper and it took two special tools to get the bastard thing off (ta, Pa).
Once it was off, I stuck in some oil that me and my bro use. It's made by an oil company that sponsor us called GB Lubricants (0191 4904312) and they blended it specially for us. Our endurance bike runs on it pretty well so it should be good for the R1 too. Then it was a case of applying a dab of oil to the filter seal and then back on – hand tight. Next up is to find some tyres for the bastard puncture on the rear *picks up phone*. Thanks to A&B Tyres of Newbury village for sticking on a race intermediate to get me home (01635 35956)

17th July

Rock on Tommy, I'm back on the road again. It's been a tough old three and a half months, but finally I've got upon the new faithful – and now we're going places.

I've actually been on the bike for a week or so, and it had been a bit of a struggle because my knee won't bend enough to get on the footpeg. No back braking for me then. Having said that I've been to see Brian 'bone-welder' Simpson at his Ipswich clinic. He's a physio who's seen practically every racer who's ever had an injury – the likes of John Reynolds, Chris Walker and Niall Mackenzie are regular customers.

Anyway, I was pretty sceptical about all the hype around the man – I mean, I've been having physio for three months now to not much avail – but within 40 minutes my view had changed massively.
Brian Simpson and his wall of customers


-You expect me to talk?
-No, Mr. Roots, I expect you to heal

He chucked me under his magnetic pulse and laser machines that both break down scar tissue (my main problem is too much scar tissue behind my kneecap). After each session, he manipulated my knee and low-and-behold I could feel the scar tissue breaking away.

The proof of the pudding was the final knee bend. When I walked in, I could only get to 90 degrees. 40 minutes later and I was at 125 degrees, no problem. Absolutely amazing. And I'm not just saying that, because I paid 50 quid for the privilege. And I'll be paying 50 quid again very soon. If you have any sort of injury give Brian a bell on 01473 215905 or get on the net at www.physioclinic.net

2nd July

Against all sound medical advice, I actually rode the R1 home t'other day. Now I can see why they're doctors and I'm a lowly hack.

I'll be honest and say that my knee wasn't happy. So much so that I fought with my fellow commuters on the train the next day. But plenty of physio should see it right, because in those few miles I remembered what fun R1's can be.

Having not ridden for three months, first gear seemed fast, second gear loopy and anything above that just reminded me of my six days in hospital. I'll get used to it, well I'd better otherwise the chicken strips will be with me for ever.

On the blagging stakes, I've got some spunky OZ wheels in the post, a couple of cans to try and a few body work bits to prize on. That should keep me busy until I next ride again.

16th June

Now that's what I call frustrating – volume 12. Having reacquainted my legs with the concept of walking, the quest now continues to get back on a bike. The getting on a bike seems to be working quite well, it's just the sticking my leg onto the rearset that I'm struggling with. As you can see; close, but no cigar.
And the whole concept of having a gleaming bike available, but being too spannered to ride it, is starting to do my nut in. Especially with the weather being as bootiful as it is at the moment. I don't want to piss on anyone's parade (because it's a fine porn mag) but I can't remember a summer as good for a long time. It's Wimbledon soon, so that should bring the rains and calm my frustration.

I need to find a power commander so that I can experiment with a couple of exhausts that I have stashed under the desk. I need her up to speed by the time I'm ready to do it all again. It's an abject lesson in keeping it rubber side down alright.