Relax, it’s a mini-break
There are few better mini-break destinations than Staithes, North Yorkshire: the great roads, the beer, fish straight from the sea. And a freshly rebuilt Harley engine…
The pressure from Trialmaster was almost unbearable and metronomically relentless. As summer flitted south it became a ceaseless tirade: ‘You promised us a mini-break, you miserable bastard.’ And so it was we set off north on the freshly painted and rewired FXWG (what some of you may remember as the Us-import soft-porn Muriel bike). There was minor drama as the starter relay failed, but it was only an earthing issue, easily, but not quickly resolved. We were running late for our appointment with the Royal George Hotel, Staithes, N. Yorks and the engine was on a fresh top-end. A four-speed Shovelhead on a hone and new rings cannot be hurried. The speedo had to sit around the 55mph mark for the first 50 miles, rolling on and off the throttle to let a vacuum suck oil up the bores. Across the Humber Bridge and we could exploit the engine a little more. On solid lifters (as opposed to the stock hydraulics) it’s a little more rattly, but the Python pipes it came with are just too damn loud. Through the confines of Beverley town centre it was plain embarrassing. They’ll have to go. Up over the east side of the North Yorkshire Moors and we could feel the engine freer and happier – but the tappet noise was getting ridiculous now. Only 20 odd miles to Staithes now, we’ll reset them when it’s stone cold tomorrow morning…
But tomorrow morning was anything but, the tappets would have to wait. We got stuck into the refreshments early doors and after multiple crab sandwiches and pints (white wine for the lady), it was all we could do to not fall into the harbour as we meandered up hill, and up hill (Jeez it’s a steep place). By six we were shattered and ready for more sustenance.
Fish and chips and a couple of drinks later, we were too knackered to stay awake for the pub quiz. Bloody lightweights. Needless to say the old Shovel rattled back home like a good ’un and I did the tappets after a long sleep. It was great to get away. Good old Trialmaster.
1983 Harleydavidson FXWG MINI BREAK DESTINATION: Staithes, N. Yorks 375 MILEAGE: TRIALMASTER 10/10 POINTS: