How to Bleed TWIKE Brakes

During TDP2021 I noticed that the front friction brake was not working correctly – only the rear brakes…and those were also really bad. Since there is near to no information about TWIKE brakes and the different variants, I thought it would make sense to write about this vital part of the vehicle in a short entry. For context, there are three types of friction-based brake setups in TWIKEs (which typically get used very little): Split brake systems – legs brake back tyres via a back pedal setup, left hand brakes front wheel Very limited ability to brake with the front […]

Post-TDP2021 TWIKE TLC

A few days after arriving back from TDP2021, I brought TW560 to Andi from Ksenotek for some post-TDP2021 TLC. I know that there are some things that need urgent attention, such as the breaking system, the tyres and the main axle on the right hand side. Plus, whatever else Portugal’s cobblestone streets haven’t broken yet… Another few days later, Andi sent me following video – (activate subtitles if necessary) Ah. that was the vibration I felt on the motorway! I always want to learn more – this is why I usually take the time to set up my office at […]

TDP2021: Day46 – Genoa -> back home

The ferry arrives on-time in Genova. With the help of a tugboat, we find our way into the port like an oversized log. This process takes a while and whilst everybody else is on the upper deck watching our arrival in Genova, I, having seen this process last time, I stay in the bar and get a piping hot coffee and a cornetto, fresh from the oven. With this I’m ready to start my day – the only one in Italy this trip -and drive home. No-one seems to care about any reduction of the virus’ spead when the time […]

TDP2021: Day45 – Barcelona – Genoa

I splurged on my last hotel on this trip – complete with all the trappings and a rooftop swimming pool. Today’s breakfast, however, was quite muted and did not live up to the expectations. This didn’t have anything to do with the hotel, though – local health regulations reduced the offering dramatically. I’ve definitely had enough restrictions by this current situation. Let’s hope that it will not last too much longer until we can get back to ‘normal’. I’m not an advocate of going back to the good old way of doing things for everything… but: let’s do it at […]

TDP2021: Day44 – Lleida – Barcelona

My last full-day drive in Spain has begun. Yesterday evening I researched a little as to which kind of options I had to get to Barcelona as I wasn’t keen on 150km of main road driving – today I’ll take some smaller roads to Tarragona, visit the city and then take the road along the coast to Barcelona. Add some hills to cross into the mix and this should turn out to be a very nice day of TWIKEing. The last hill before Tarragona turned out to be a real surprise – complete with a steep winding road up the […]

TDP2021: Day43 – Atienza – Lleida

Waking up early is a blessing and curse of being at a certain age. In my case, today, I was very happy to be wide awake and refreshed whilst having the luck to see the sun rise over the hills and illuminate my room in a warm orange glow. After enjoying a last few words with the owner and my prepared-just-for-me breakfast. I pack the TWIKE and hit the road again – driving eastward. As it’s only 500km to Barcelona from here and I have 2 days to go, I can either drive further today to reduce the remaining distance […]

TDP2021: Day42 – Gredos – Atienza

What a change to the last few weeks this night was: Cold 10°C air was filtering into my room during the night and I slept very well. Felt a little bit like Switzerland. Refreshed, I go to the breakfast room and am greeted by the Refugio’s owner lady with a friendly smile. There isn’t much to chose from and I go with the most Catalan version of breakfast possible: Pan con Tomate! Ah! What a Mediterranean treat this is! The owner and I had discussed Mediterranean and Catalan delights the evening before – she even brought me multiple types of […]

TDP2021: Day41 Castel Branco – Gredos

Today is the day of reckoning: Will I be able drive to Switzerland with my TWIKE or will TW560 travel on its own whilst I have to find another way? Before beginning anything today, I want to savour my last Portuguese breakfast – and a blast of carbs! Our strategy today is to be at the motorbike repair show as soon as the mechanics get there and insist on getting the problem solved before anything else catches their interest. Whilst waiting: A TWIKE parked anywhere is always of interest. We drink some coffees until the mechanics arrive and insist on […]