Workshop 2020

Yep, very, very stiff suspension. All the 2001-2003 ones I?ve ridden recently, the suspension after 17+ years and no servicing are really nice and supple, in fact perfect. My mate Andy was thinking of sending his off for a service but I recommended he leave as it was perfect even after a few hours in the saddle. Speaking of saddles, his Sargent seat which is a huge improvement on the standard plank. My only gripe is the bars give me a pain between my shoulder blades/lower neck. it?s similar to a Ducati 916-996 in that respect. I change all my bikes riding positions to suit me as an easy bike to ride is a fun bike to ride. Not sure what?s possible with the SP1. It?s a proper bike though that?s for sure. I?d love one or the Castrol coloured SP2. Have you had problems with the radiators cracking? Only real problem I know of.

I've not used it much since I got the BM, but last couple of good runs I had with it, the back suspension was getting a bit iffy on bumps, so it definetley needs a service. I'll probably change the oil in the forks just now, as it's probably the original!

When it was my every day bike, I did Aberdeen to ullapool without getting off it. Filled it up at pay at pump, as it's tank range isn't the best. When I got to ullapool, I had to get help off the bike, and I was walking like John Wayne for a week! There only 9 or 10 thousand mile on the bike, so barely even run in!

Arr... that makes sense. The suspension is barely run in as well... in SP1 terms. Over the years the state of our roads have got worst and bikes have got better. If you?re send it off for a service I?d get them revalved if it?s just an occasional bike. I?d do both ends to match.

It?s such a lovely bike. Even the new Gen4 will feel loose when pushed compared to the SP1 but some of that is because it has twice the power.

Yep, 80 miles is fun. We were in France on a flatout trip when they had a fuel delivery strike (2001 from memory).... we were mostly riding big twins Ducati?s, Honda?s, Suzuki?s, Aprilia?s etc. All around 80 miles per tank riding fast. Top entertainment but luckily wed had a fast femal rider on an R6 that spoke fluent French and Italian. She?d pull up first, use her charm to get the pumps unlocked then we?d all pull up...

You've some nice kit in that garage Kenny...those SP1 and SP2s command big money..

Just had a gander at a Castrol SP2 on Autotrader...so far I spotted at least 50g of lead on the front wheel lol...

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Tomorrow's job is to clean up the radiators. Initial look at them, they look ok, but as Jamie says above, they are prone to cracking, think due to the weight of the electric fan on the left hand one.

Doubt I'll ever really use it very hard these days, got the BM for that. But I still want to get the suspension set up to make it a little more forgiving on the road. It's very much just a Sunday cruising bike these days. Think I'd cry if I binned it!

A couple of my friends went out and bought sp2's on the back of trying my 1. One of them is pretty tough round the edges, but will be sorted out soon am sure. My other mate with the 2 has spent a small fortune on it, and is now good enough to be a museum piece. Mine will never be cleaned to the point I won't use it, but I need to make it more presentable. There is also another fellow I know who has a sp1 in the same colours as me. Must be one of the most popular bikes on the island!!!

I'm wishing I'd built the garage bigger. Getting pretty tight on space! To the point I've started parking my trailer in the neighbours garden! Just wish I had more time to work on the toys and use them!

I nearly purchased an sp2 7 years ago... 08 plate in black... 800 miles on it... lived in a chaps living room and was showroom mint condition.... I bottled it. Recall seeing an un registered one at a Honda dealer for 25k !!

keep it... cherish it.. love it. Iconic classic.

This thread has only reinforced my opinion that getting rid of my sp was the biggest mistake I?ve made when it comes to bikes.......it took nearly 10nyears to come across the parts.........

I loved the SP2 at this years London Show.

That looks nice, same beater tank that I went for, only went half arsed on the exhaust system though!

I'd like that SP2 alongside my gorgeous TL1000R...

JamieMac said:

I loved the SP2 at this years London Show.

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Wow, that's stunning

These older bikes certainly have soul compared to the newer stuff. That is gorgeous ?

I love those Tlr's just something about them

I love my Gen3 2015 S1000RR and it is so easy to ride, flatters you but character wise it's like riding a 'white goods' ie fridge. It doesn't stir the soul. I'm slowly adding more character but it'll take time.

My 1098RS just stirs the soul looking at it.

The TLR is my favourite to ride. Just a very, very silly motorcycle to ride. Motorcycling equivalent of the original Golf GTI. Wheelies everywhere. ?

Vic Devines in Glasgow had a White and Grey on a raised pedestal when they were released... awesome looking thing... pretty sure it was at least 10Gs then and that was what maybe 20 years ago... stunning looking bike, always remember the rad(s) were huge..

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I made my stomp 140 high compression and now I can stand (81kg) and mildly bounce on the kick-start with no affect.

Also port matched it. Carb-spacer-intake elbow was stupid wrong

I think the next bike I'll be getting will be a Ducati, maybe a 999, but her indoors won't let me until after our wedding, and done some work around the house. I definetley prefer the stuff from late 90's and naughties to the new bikes, although I do love the 1000rr as well.

Couple more pics of the sp, I'm ashamed of how neglected it is.

Last time I was out with it there was a misfire from 1 cylinder, coming and going. I thought maybe Dodgy plug or something, and there has also been a long term fault for ect sensor, that I've never traced, due to position of sensor. Looked into it yesterday, and found the plug for throttle body harness barely pushed together. Fingers crossed that's it sorted.

Also changed oil in forks. After doing one, I compared it to the 2nd, which had about as much damping as a pogo stick in comparison. I'll probably get the forks and shock serviced properly next winter.

Also tried harpic on the front pipe, which worked a treat.

Now to light the bbq

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