Vacuum. Cleaner

While changing the oil and filter on my Suzuki GSX1250FA, I decided to change the drain plug washer. Getting a replacement was difficult, but I was advised that a fibre washer was just as good. I fitted the plug, washer and oil filter: everything seemed fine. But after a test ride, an oil leak appeared. Damn.

While locating the correct plug washer online, I saw a video on how to change your oil plug washer without draining the oil. You need a cloth to go over the oil filler port, with a strong vacuum (not the household variety) placed on top of the rag. Then switch on vacuum and remove drain plug. I was dubious, placing a tray beneath just in case. Then I tried it. No oil at all came out – though there were a lot of gurgling noises. Job done in 30 seconds. Brian Ellis

Back in action

I first rode a motorcycle in 1970, around the garden a few weeks before my sixteenth birthday (I was lucky we had a big garden). I passed my bike test and in a few months I owned a BSA Bantam D10 Sports, Royal Enfield Continental GT, BSA Bantam D10, Honda CD 175 and a Norton Dominator 600cc… Then I passed my car test and stopped riding bikes.

I am now 62 years old and have bought another bike – a Honda CBF600. It made sense to me to have a refresher course, so I went to MMT in Darlington for a two-hour course. At the end of it, my instructor said to just ride as my ability was fine. That’s 42 years off a motorbike - it’s never too late! Rodney Marshall