In Balance

Thanks to the coronavirus all sports have been restricted, not just ours.

All sorts of things impact on our sport, for 2020 a virus is causing upheaval.

"So, you're in the workshop and looking at a11 those little jobs you've meant to do but never had the time..."

Usually the subject of this column is specific to a certain section of the world's population, the section which enjoys riding older off-road motorcycles in the variety of events which have arisen since clever people devised propulsion units to fit into cycle frames.

Occasionally the subject drifts into areas where people are trained or learn to do manual tasks with a view to earning a living. Rarely do my words reflect the wider world as a whole - it is only when such things asthe coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the world impact on everyone, regardless of their circumstances or interests, that we find our scene aligning with all others.

Governments and health organisations around the world have issued one common instruction for dealing with this virus - stay at home. This has seen the cancellation of major events, gatherings and social interaction globally.

Now, it may be frustrating and inconvenient to cancel or postpone a much anticipated event due to circumstances beyond the control of the organisers but it is just 'frustrating' and 'inconvenient; unlike catching the virus which would be a whole lot worse.

Prior to this pandemic the biggest impact on our sport has been animal foot and mouth epidemics, which involved restrictions on where events could be held.

Perhaps many readers will recall the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 which caused the postponement ofthe Classic Motorcycle Show of that year, and maybe older readers will hark back to the foot and mouth outbreak in 1967.

As these words are being written the UK is a few weeks into a lockdown as the Government attempts to control the spread of the virus. Other countries too are restricting the movement of the population and there are signs such tactics are working. So hopefully things can begin to return to normal and I also hope you haven't been affected beyond the inconvenience of an event or two being cancelled.

As many enthusiasts are prevented from attending their normal place of work due to restrictions there will likely be an upsurge in the time spent in workshops, garages, sheds or wherever your motorcycle resides.

So, you're in the workshop and looking at all those little jobs you've meant to do but never had the time; or maybe there's even time to start the bigger tasks for which you've got bits stockpiled. It's a two-fold situation for me as there are lots of things to do that come under the 'small-job' banner but often turn out to be more involved.

For instance, I've had a bit of a clear-out recently and both my 340 Bulto and TY Mono Yam have gone to new homes, there were a number of reasons for this, biggest one was my very understanding other half making the suggestion if I had less bikes maybe more of them would work better. To be brutally honest this is something we motorcycle enthusiasts - as a species know to be true but we also know a) we'll get round to it one day orb) it's not that bad as we survey the bikes in the shed.

The Bulto was what I wanted in 1981 but couldn't get one then, the Yam brought back fond memories of riding a similar one in the SSDT, BUT both have gone and released funds for some other tasks.

On the subject of the involved jobs, I've taken to riding my lad's Fantic 201 and found it a thoroughly enjoyable machine to ride, but last time out I popped a fork seal and this is a job waiting to be done. The seals were easily available from Bill Pye's Fantic establishment but the difficult bit was finding out how much oil to put in the forks when rebuilding them. All attempts to find a manual have proved fruitless and even the information sheet I have tells me all sorts of specs except the fork oil.

I could have asked Bill, but I forgot ... several times ... then a fellow 201 owner Olly Waring told me how much he puts in his forks so that's sorted, but Ijust know as I strip the bike out there will be more things that need attention.

The next little task is the crank seals in the 200 Montesa Cota belonging to my uncle - a fairly handy rider in the Fifties. I picked up a set of seals at telford and they're there waiting to be fitted. Problem is the bike is in serious need of looking over and I know pulling it apart will reveal horrors because of what's been needed so far, but it will have to be tackled or the thing won't ever run again - unlike motorcycle sport which will restart once the pandemic has been defeated. Stay safe.