Shadowfax-ST Blog

Sherbert will need new shoes shortly and I'm a fan of Michelin rubber. So, it's with some joy I read Michelin have created a tyre set for the Goldwing 2018+. The interesting part is that the rear tyre is suplied in two sidewall sizes or 55mm and 60mm. Especially so when the OEM Bridgestone tire has a specific size. Why? Here's what I found out. Options for Different Riding Styles and Priorities Goldwing riders have diverse preferences. Some prioritize a plush, comfortable ride for long-distance touring, while others might desire a slightly more engaging and responsive feel for spirited riding on twisty roads. Offering two sizes allows riders to choose a tire that better aligns with their typical riding style. The aspect ratio of a tyre is the second number in the size designation. In this case 55 or 60, which affects the tyre's profile and therefore the bike's handling. A lower aspect ratio (55) generally means a shorter sidewall. This can lead to: ...

Sherbert spilled me and my pillion in Chamonix on May 4 last year and almost exactly a year ago today as I write. We were reversing a U-turn out of a dead end between two barrier-controlled carparks and I lost my footing in a culvert. Old news. Today Sherbert stumbled into a crater hidden by a small van ahead of us when pulling out of a service station. I was looking for traffic left and Sherbert was steering mid-right to join the opposite lane of traffic. The front wheel followed contours into the void, caught us off balance, and gravity sucked us down onto our left side. I put in a little effort to keep upright and know when to give up. It's around the time my back and knee threaten to break. The dashcan caught my verbal effort before the language turned blue. Self righting Helping Sherbert back upright was a doddle. I only forgot to pull the handbrake before lifting. It didn't matter and could in the future. Checking for damage and again it's the front engin...

Sherbert enjoyed a Vantrue F1 dashcam install in September 2024. So, how's it turned out? Utility The Vantrue F1 is a dash cam and not a substitute for an action or vlogging camera. It does record every minute of your ride from the front and rea cameras. That offers a way to relay moments of your journey to loved ones and to enjoy recounting "that overtake" or "ijiot" driver doing something stupid. Once set up, you can forget the Vantrue F1 is aboard. It starts up when the ignition is turned on and stays on until the ignition is off or you turn it off. It's that simple. Video options Using the Vantrue app we can set how the video is recorded. This includes its resolution and whether to combine the front and rear cameras in one screen on playback. There are some other settings to modify and you'll learn of those by downloading and reading the Vantrue F1 manual PDF . Sound options Not having read and understood the manual, I accidentally d...

After riding home from Dublin through storms, I reversed into the garage and prepared to put Sherbert on their centerstand. During my proven technique, The solution for GoldWing Centerstand weaklings , I thought I had left the parking brake on since Dublin! Perhaps the technique is so subconsciously ingrained now, I just couldn't recall if I'd pulled the lever on now or hadn't released it after parking. It was a moment. Assuming the worst and unable to prove the best outcome, it was necessary to dig into the parking brake calliper and check the pads. This means only one thing: it's back to Chris Dickinson's Cruiseman's Garage video tutorials . Removing the rear fender I've installed the Vantrue F1 Dashcam on the rear fender and I was uncertain how easily I'd be able to disconnect its cable. On removing the rear fender, I recalled I had wrapped insulation tape around the connector to save it from all the crus it was inevitably to wade in.  This compl...

We don't spend all our time in the shed and recently I was given a handful of extra days off. It was a great early-year opportunity. After hosting riders around the Ring of Kerry and the southwestern Bere and Dingle peninsulas, I still can't get enough of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. With some unexpected time off, I jumped aboard Sherbert after booking a bed and breakfast in Baltimore and packing for an unknown number of days. We rode southwest from County Wexford to where the WAW starts at the Old Head of Kinsale. Day 1. Cold with showers The first hour dragged on. The roads are boringly familiar and a spring storm threatened to dampen my mood. Google Maps also did a sneaky route update, which cost me a pocket-searching toll to cross Waterford's River Suir. I approached Cork from its north and looked forward to my first stop and coffee break at the Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower. Arriving in the sunshine and blasted by an icy off-shore gale, I found ...

I'm a centerstand weakling. After 17 years hoiking my ST1300s on and off their centerstands easily, I just can't get Sherbert on their stand without injury. The weakest solution Max at Traxxion Dynamics says I'm a weakling. Chris the Cruiseman doesn't understand the issue for people under 3 meters tall and even Robert White, if more empathetic, doesn't really get the problem.  The problem is nothing to do with the "secret sauce" of planting both centerstand feet on the floor, although that is essential. It's not being able to hoik the beast up and over onto the centerstand, period. In case you've missed their combined athletics, here's the trio happily telling me I'm an idiot on YouTube. Robert White "Did you see how easy that was?" Chris Dickenson (Cruiseman) "I can even do it on these firm rubber tiles". Max McCallister "Truly, if you understand how to do it, it's really easy." Suspension preload Settin...

I love riding Sherbert and experience backache. As a sports-tourer, Shadowfax did the same. Fitting the Bike-Quip handlebar risers  eliminated most of my discomfort. It's natural to expect the same outcome from fitting handlebar risers to Sherbert. I chose the HeliBars Gen 2.0 handlebar risers against a field of cheaper alternatives and imitations. Everyone reviewing the Performance Handlebar Risers for 2018+ Gold Wing gave a positive outcome. They listed the following benefits, which matched my needs: Improved low-speed control Relaxed arms with improved reach Exceptional quality Proven manufacturer's record So, how did that turn out? Fitting the HeliBars Gen 2.0 handlebar risers The HeliBars arrived from WingStuff in a cardboard box containing labelled bags with the risers, the bolts, a pair of covers, and two small zip ties. An instruction booklet came with them. Preparation includes protecting the bike's surfaces. I used masking tape and blankets that survive from my...