Climbing the Walls, not the Mountain Roads

We've heard the words 'unprecedented' lashed about a lot this year. It's probably the most accurate term I can think of for the weirdness that is surrounding us all, especially here in Vic-bloody-toria.

While some industries like tourism have hit the wall, the motorcycle industry has gone ballistic. Most shops report that their shelves look as if they've been robbed! We have an unprecedented level of orders, can't put on new staff (due to Stage 4 Lockdown) and the girls have the sewing machine throttles pinned to the stops, doing 10 hour days trying desperately to keep up.

Far from complaining, it's still stressful feeling like we are letting our customers down by having to wait for the gear to be made. It's foreign to us... unprecedented in fact. That's odd in itself as I keep telling the team if we were importers, we'd regularly be girding people for 8 week waits for a new container to turn up. Still, apologies to those of you who've had to wait a bit longer than we'd like.

My heart goes out to so many people who have been struck hard by the MBV, doubly by that and the bushfires... unprecedented. We are having such a split in Australia, the haves and have-nots spider web of crap luck is spread wider than ever before and risks settling into a new, dangerous abnormal. It could turn us more US-style society than any of us would have envisioned... unprecedented!

On more upbeat notes, my bikes are sitting in the shed more ready than they have ever been for riding... unprecedented. New tyres all around, I'm especially keen to get a go at the new Dunlop Mission rim protectors on the Bumblewee. DR Z has a flash new 320mm disc up front, new chain and sprockets and a suspension massage. Rather than stealing a couple of hours to throw a bit of kit at the bikes, I've had hours to attend to little things that needed cleaning, adjusting or tweaking... unprecedented.

All dressed up with nowhere to go

Not so unprecedented, but usual these days, the girls have me on the tools to try and keep up.

This vicious upright fabric cutter is like a razor sharp jigsaw with a mind of its own. Here I am coaxing it to cut out 20 pair of panniers.

They won't let me near a sewing machine though... I don't get it. I'm rough... but I'm slow.

A trip back to NZ for a ride seems so far away

Surf the Choob

Like a drought, this Pandemic will end... We just don't know when.

Rather than having useless face masks hanging about 'til the next one (Dog forbid), get some use out of face coverings with our very 'andy Choob.

The other and, key part of the Choob is that as a face covering made in Victoria it qualifies us to continue to turn up to work. Every one that goes in the mail ensures we can get another few days production done.

Two layers of our superfine Merino not only makes a comfortable and easily accessible face mask but will make a nice neck warmer when we wheel-stand out the other end.

Grab one or three now

Perks of the Job

Part of the joy of my job is talking to a wide range of riders who call up to search out information, buy stuff or just shoot the breeze. Last week, 91 year old Jeff called to grab a Choob.

He told me of his 25 years of racing and proudly announced he had his 29th new bike, a Honda Grom tucked away safely in the shed. He found the little 125 a bit 'pedestrian' so enlisted help from his daughter, who lives in the 'Good Ol' to track down go fast bits.

To my (and his) surprise he told me of Grom racing series and a plethora of go fast bits. With a few extra $ thrown at the bike, he reckons it tears away from the lights and is no slouch in traffic. He did balk at the 4 valve head conversion however...

Go you good thing!

Mugged by Murphy

As I alluded to previously, one of the upsides of the MBV is getting to spend more quality time in the shed. It goes without saying that sheds hold their fair share of frustration time as well as joy and meditative grease monkeying. There has been a correspondingly equal amount of shed words burbling hence from one's gob.

How is it that a screw will find the most difficult place to fall to? A spacer will roll to the dark recesses under the work bench but not open space. The harder a bolt is to access the more likely it is to be the hardest to undo.

I can usually pick the right size spanner or socket, hell, on the old Ducati it's a 10, 13 or 17mm most of the time. Why can't I pick the right size Allen key? It shouldn't be so hard but for some reason I always have the wrong one. Doubly so with those Torques thingos.

And how the f*#k3n hell can a tool be put down and just disappear in a matter of a few seconds.

AND... Who designed motorcycle wheels to require human being to have three arms to refit the things?

T Shirt of the Month

T Shirt of the month is just for a laugh, not for sale unless we get huge a response.

Product of the Month

Rainblock Rain Gear by Held

Courtesy AMCN, Photo by Josh Evans

Undoubtedly the best rain gear I've used, the Held Rainblock is that nice combination of lightweight, packable, breathable, stretch and wind-proof.

While not totally stretchy, windproof or breathable, it has enough to make the system 'work'. I particularly like the stretch part as I can wear a smaller size than I'd usually chose so it flaps about less and allows me to move about more.

Held describe the fabric as 2.5 five layer fabric, the 0.5 relating to internal coatings to keep as it light as possible.

Both jacket and pants come in safety yellow or black, both have reflective trims.

I'd like to see the jacket cut a little longer and sizing is a bit on the small size.

Boris is a fan too - click here

Click here to grab some

That skank of a model again

Can we get our mits on your bike...Please?

Frame Help

This is another call out to any Victorian Tiger owner who would be willing to loan their bike for a few hours one day then return for fitting and photos about a week later.

The constant dilemma we chase is access to bikes to design new frame sets. I've had a quick look at the new 900 tigers and can't see that our existing pannier frames will fit.

We have years of experience with this process and return it in the same condition we get it in of course.

Naturally you can slink off with the Bumblewee while we have your pride 'n' joy and get a free set of frames for your trouble.

Due to COVID Stage 4 restrictions we have had to close the 'bricks and mortar' shop until we are given the all clear.

We are open for phone calls and orders during normal business hours, although we take POETS day where we can.

Our usual first Saturday of the month open day can't happen either of course.

Click here for the Andy Strapz website

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1/95 Brunel Rd, Seaford,
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