Topic: Little bimble on the CB350F

[loonymoon]

I managed to get out for a little bimble in South Dorset at the weekend. Here's some pics from the ride out . My first ride on her since Sept 2006. She felt really odd compared to my leonardo 250 scooter which I use for commuting and pleasure in Herts, but I soon got used to it again and didn't once pull the clutch like a brake!! ;-)

However i was surprised that she didn't feel as lively as usual - more on this later in the story. First I headed towards Lulworth area. This was taken on a side road towards Durdle door. I left the bike running while I took the pic but she conked out after a bit. She started again fine though.

Another from that view point.

Then I headed towards Dorchester via Warmwell where the Harley Owners Group were having a weekend festival and there were HOGs everywhere. From Dorchester I went towards Maiden Newton and stopped in a layby to get pics of the other side of the bike (the rarely photographed side!), again she conked out on tickover - the idle speed was too slow! As I started to climb a hill she started playing up a little - the more I twisted the throttle the slower she went.. however it seemed to sort itself out eventually.

I then headed through a little picturesque village called Winterbourne Steepleton before heading back home. This is where I got these pics outside the church there.

SHINY exhausts...

A nice ride out appart from the performance problem but when I got home dad and I looked at her - the timing and points were fine but we did find an airlock in the fuel line. That's probably what caused the problem!

[Seyser]

Great pictures, looked like a fabulous ride!

[SteveD CB500F]

"Bimble"

That's a very good old English word Carmen...

I usually see it on the VFR forum where it refers to anyone who doesn't ride at 90mph on a ride-out!!  (ie most of us over-40's)

[loonymoon]

Yes I like that word Bimble it conjuers up images of sunday afternoon rides in the countryside to me!!!

It was only a Bimble because I don't think I could have manage 90mph on the 350 not without going downhill with the wind behind .

 I did wind her up to an indicated 80mph but she wasn't very happy that day. I don't like going faster than about 70mph usually as the windblast gets uncomfortable above that... still managed to overtake a few cagers though!!!

[eldar]

Looks like nice scenery. Would have been a very nice and leisurely ride.

[ofreen]

What a nice bike and great pics.  The bike was letting you know it wants to be ridden more.  Any of mine get a little cranky if they think they are being neglected, too.

[loonymoon]

My dad managed to take her out yesterday - apparently she wouldn't let him go home until he'd taken her right up to the local view point and back!! She seemed to be running fine when he rode her so the airlock must have caused the problem when the float bowls were empty!!

[nickjtc]

She felt really odd compared to my leonardo 250 scooter which I use for commuting and pleasure in Herts

Commuting and pleasure? Is there something we should know about scooters, Carmen?

[TwoTired]

"Bimble"

That's a very good old English word Carmen...

Ah, that explains why this old american assumed someone had misspelled "bimbo".

I'm certain that, had I heard the subject line spoken in a conversation, I'd have assumed the wrong meaning.

 

[loonymoon]

"Bimble"

That's a very good old English word Carmen...

Ah, that explains why this old american assumed someone had misspelled "bimbo".

I'm certain that, had I heard the subject line spoken in a conversation, I'd have assumed the wrong meaning.

 

lol,

well I've been called a few things in my time but never a bimbo...

[loonymoon]

She felt really odd compared to my leonardo 250 scooter which I use for commuting and pleasure in Herts

Commuting and pleasure? Is there something we should know about scooters, Carmen?

Well I happen to enjoy riding my Leonardo 250- it handles pretty well and is fairly fast for a scooter probably faster than the 350 0-60!! It's an absolute blast in traffic, with no gears to worry about and slips through small gaps like a ferret in a rabbit warren.... Plus I can fit my helmet and a bag of waterproofs etc under the seat so it has the convenience factor too.. Beleive me I did consider buying a "proper" bike for commuting but the scooter just has too many advantages- and I'm happy with my decision too!

Here she is:

[TwoTired]

Well, that's a shock.  In the US, we think all the Brit scooters look like these...
Is mirror and headlight theft a problem in your area?

[loonymoon]

Well, that's a shock.  In the US, we think all the Brit scooters look like these...
Is mirror and headlight theft a problem in your area?

Lol.That is one trend I NEVER understood. The oldstyle vespas were slow enough anyway why make them even slower by putting all that crap on them!!

I nearly bought a newish vespa GT200 though as that's a fairly fast scooter. It was just a little to expensive for me though so I ended up with the Aprilia, and it's great fun...