New can, New Hoop, bigger hammer needed.

The shiny bit above is the newest addition to the list of modifications for the Z750. A new Beowulf exhaust can and link pipe was ordered by mailorder, delivered quickly, fitted in 20 minutes and has made my bike sound like I always wanted it to. It has some meat and bass to the sound low down in the rev range and I've been told has given a racy edge to the note at high revs. An added, unexpected advantage is that is has smoothed out the delivery around 3000-4500 revs and the bike now picks up and races through to the "Crazy Zone" at around 7000 rpm. I've not noticed any difference at the top end. It saved a few kilos as well (I ate a few pies to restore the power/weight ratio to stock)

The alarm/immobiliser is now fixed after it failed at Boxhill (thanks RAC) although it did cost me an afternoon at Hayball's and 170 quid.

The day after the trip to Hayballs as I was about to embark on a little road trip when I found my rear tyre completely flat. It gave me the opportunity to get my hands dirty and with the help of Big L remove my rear tyre for the first time. Some swearing, some brute force, 75 quid, small/medium/large hammers, one bent rear brake caliper, 105mph in an old Rover and I was back on the road. Scrubbing in the new hoop may take some time in these grotty conditions though. It's my 5th rear tyre in 9500 miles. 2 punctures seems excessive. Maybe it's Karma for all the car drivers I seem to have annoyed over the last 6 months.