I have ridden bikes since 1975 (I think it was 1979 when I bought my first one - a Suzuki GT250A) I had already checked them out whilst still at school by charging around rough ground on mates' bikes.

My 916

My current bike is a Ducati 916 Biposto. I did have a Triumph Bonneville till my ex sold it after I left! Ah well, a small price to pay to be rid of her :-)

So the 916 is fairly stock with a few tweaks. Before delivery, I had race-can insides inserted into Ducati stock shells to replace the muffled originals and let the REAL sound out! Also added a chip to match and a free breathing air filter (crap foam removed from inlet tubes of course) all courtesy of Baines Racing at Silverstone (used to be, into the main entrance at Silverstone and turn right just before the barrier, listen and follow the noise!). This boosts peak power slightly by allowing the engine to breathe better, it also removes the 5000 rpm dip in the torque curve, which I think is only there to satisfy the 'drive-by' noise tests :-). Hmmm, I now fail this completely and can set car alarms off just by riding past :-)

I also have a carbon combined hugger and chain guard (to keep the crap off the back of the bike underneath). Finally I had a Spyball Patriot alarm system/immobilizer fitted.

Dec 1999 - now done 10700 miles and considering my 12000 service. Where shall I pour the cash? I've completed some simple modifications, I'm sure there will be more!

Nov 2006 - well it's been a long time but I've had to do relatively little to my baby. I've been through 3 sets of tyres, 1 new voltage regulator after the original (and under rated) one burnt out almost causing a fire during a ride! I managed to stop, leap off the bike and into a nearby house pleading for a saucepan full of water to put my bike out.

Been down the road a couple of times but only very minor damage due to cold tyres on winter roads and low speeds.

Had a major off early in 2004 and smashed the right side of my body. The worst damage was to my wrist which was broken in several places and badly deformed. Surgery put most of that right and months of physiotherapy got most of the movement back. Message to the young here - I retain a destroyed joint and have limited movement in my right wrist as a result :-( Still could have been much worse.

Back to modifications :-)

Recently replaced chain and both sprockets for a Renthal setup. Decided after much chatting to alter the final gearing by -1/+1. This gives a lot better acceleration and really livens up the bike. Photos coming soon. I had to do a complete setup of the suspension as a result of changing the back end and that's always fun to work out.

Now I just enjoy leaping on her and riding - as the Bishop said to the actress... Nothing else planned for the near future except I've been looking at the 1098 - oh No, she's a look very good... (yells out) Santa......