Couple of things

[Mori Man]

I'll be over in Fukuoka around May time for a few weeks so if your still in Tsukuba, visiting the Ushiku Daibutsu is on my list and since it's not too far from Tsukuba i'd love to come and oogle your ZXR if you have the time

Live in Tsukuba mate, not going anywhere any time soon

However, Fukuoka is about 900 miles from Tsukuba ! Been down that way visiting Miyajima - that was a 12hr journey on the Shinkansen and about £300 return

If your planning travelling about get yourself a Japan rail pass in the UK (travel agents) and get it stamped on arrival - think the cheapest is £250 but you can use all JR trains, buses an ferries with it. So one trip up to Tokyo saves you £50 instantly.

May is a great time to visit but think the cherry blossom viewing will be over down there by then.

Is it this your wanting to visit:
http://www.ushikukankou.com/ushikudaibutsu.htm

That's just along the road from me, you can go inside and go up to chest level for a view (three windows). been a couple of times but never inside yet.

[Neosophist]

lol! I think thats all people ever think of when you mention Fukuoka is cherry trees Mid-March is blossom season btw, well it is in Fukuoka

Yeah, thats the statue i'll be visiting And indeed, it's only about 10 miles or so from Tsukuba City But you've been and not been inside? There is like a temple / museum / building thing with different themes on each floor.

-edit-

I just noticed your trip.. long journey! >.<

I fly from Fukuoaka straight over to Tokyo ^_^ Then just two trains to my destination

[Mori Man]

If your going to Tokyo, get to Akihabara and use the Tsukuba TX train and I'll pick you up at the station and take you along.

If your over 35 (for my insurance) and bring your international licence you can go along on one of the bikes - most likely the ZRX but I'll give you a hoon on the ZXR too

Otherwise it will just be in the car.

MM!

[Neosophist]

Oooh Awesome ^_^

Ahh I see the TX goes straight from Akihabara to Tsukuba, is it a new train?

I was planning on going Yamanote line / Joban Line upto Ushiku but nothings set in stone yet

I just know if I visit Akihabara thou the Otaku side of me will come out and i'll have to buy extra cases to take back all the junk i'll buy >.< Not all bad ^_^

Sounds like we have the basis of a plan comming on though So i'll let you know closer to the date whats happening

Even my ZXR might be running right then

How'd you end up living in Tsukuba though? And have the clutch problem, have you tried it with different oil?

[Mori Man]

Oooh Awesome ^_^

Ahh I see the TX goes straight from Akihabara to Tsukuba, is it a new train? Yip ,been open for a couple years now

I was planning on going Yamanote line / Joban Line upto Ushiku but nothings set in stone yet

I just know if I visit Akihabara thou the Otaku side of me will come out and i'll have to buy extra cases to take back all the junk i'll buy >.< Not all bad ^_^

Sounds like we have the basis of a plan comming on though So i'll let you know closer to the date whats happening

Even my ZXR might be running right then

How'd you end up living in Tsukuba though? And have the clutch problem, have you tried it with different oil?

My wife is Japanese I've got several clutches in the cupboard but waiting for the new frictions before I do anything else with it, still very drivable as is Today's challenge was sorting out what rad' temp sensor worked to get the fan to come on. H2 - shagged , H1 - shagged so hunted out the severly buckled L rad' I have and it still had it's in it. Whipped it out and tested it in a kettle of boiling water and on came the fan That's now installed and switches on at 98'c , now set for summer