The 5 days, 5 bikeschallenge
The editor’s fleet of mongrel and misfit motorcycles barely moved in 2020, which makes the week before the clocks go back the ideal time for a challenge…
Monday 1981 Motomorini 500c am el » Lastran: August » Destination: Nigel’s house and back, 46 miles» Success prediction :90%
I took this bike trail riding in August, parked it dirty and haven’t run it since. After cleaning it I attempt a re-start, though the lack of functioning ignition or oil pressure lights means that faith is required for this. Fuel on, chokes on, ignition on – oh, I’d left it turned on – and kick. Third swing on the starter and it fires up. I don’t deserve this. A run to the petrol station for fresh premium unleaded is a reminder of everything that’s wrong; it won’t tick over, the swingarm bushes are shot and the clutch is grabby. Missing gearchanges are evidence of a worn gear linkage and it looks like the chain is knackered too. None of which is sufficient reason not to go for a ride in the countryside.
It’s a great bike for a razz along
Lincolnshire B-roads on a grey but dry day. Having just cleaned it I avoid trails. Nigel seems surprised to see me. I can’t think why.
Winter work to do: fix the clutch, gear linkage, swingarm bush es and broken oil pressure light. Things toignore: the flaky frame paint.
Tuesday 1951 Guzzigalletto 160 »Last ran: June» Destination: Gary’ s house and back ,42 miles» Success prediction :50%
Last time I rode this, back in June, the choke lever broke. I finally fixed that a couple of weeks ago, but it was really hard to start afterwards. When the engine’s cold the clutch slips, making it awkward to kick over. I should investigate this issue, but instead… This time it surprises me by starting easily, and then ticks over serenely.
The scooter’s lack of power and three-speed gearbox make hills problematic, so I pick a flat route across the Fens to Gary’s house. The Galletto (it means cock) cruises at a sedate 60km/h and keeps running sweetly while we get lost. Gary seems surprised to see us, not sure why. On the way back the bike starts coughing and spluttering badly enough to make me not want to stop. Carburettor or ignition? I don’t know. I push it back under cover and think about something else. Winter work todo: find the running problem and fix the lights. Things to ignore: the slipping clutch (it doesn’t seem to be a problem when the engine’s warm).
Wednesday 1997 HONDAVFR750F » Lastran: September » Destination: Montaguarms and back ,37 miles» Success prediction :100%
The VFR has been sat outside, under a bike cover for the past six weeks. I roll back the cover, turn on the ignition, pull on the choke and press the starter. It fires immediately, prompting a deep sense of shame about the way I mistreat it. A tyre pressure check suggests that some exercise for my calves would be in order, but that’s the limit of the pre-ride preparation. You’ve got to love an old Honda. I confidently opt for a night ride and the VFR waltzes down familiar, but damp country roads on the way to The Montagu Arms. It’s as comfortable as an old pair of slippers, with a natural riding position, completely intuitive controls and a lovely engine. It doesn’t deserve the neglect it receives. I’d forgotten about the bent clutch lever, the clonky gearchange, the exhaust leak and the wooden brakes. I hadn’t forgotten about it being filthy, with rusty brackets and corroding casings, but in the dark the bad bits don’t show. At the Montagu Arms Richard and Rupert seem surprised to see me, but they’d assumed I was coming on something more Italian. The 11pm moonlit ride home on completely empty roads is even better than the ride there.
Winterworktodo: fix exhaust (again), repaint bracketry, service clutch, overhaul brakes, get a new clutch lever, love it. Thingstoignore: the mismatched fairing panels.
Thursday 1948 Matchless350 » Destination: Mark’shouse andback,45miles » Lastused: 2018» Success prediction :50%
The Matchless fuel tank is bone dry and the only petrol in the Bike lock-up is Paul Lang’s personal stash of meticulously measured super-unleaded/ synthetic pre-mix for his two-stroke Honda CR250. I do the right thing and splosh it into the tank. A bit more oil won’t hurt.
The ritual to starting old British single cylinder four-strokes goes like this; oil on, fuel on, ignition retarded, choke on, carburettor tickled, find compression on the kickstart, ease it past top dead centre with the decompressor. Then give it a strong kick. But I’d forgotten that the kickstart isn’t returning properly so it’s hard to get a good swing. Eventually, after I have worked up a sweat, it fires up, smokily. I then meander along Midlands by-ways at an estimated 50mph (the speedo has stopped working). The sun comes out and I’m only 30 minutes late. Mark seems surprised to see me, I can’t think why. We stand in the sunshine admiring the bike while the Matchless dribbles oil onto the road. What a lovely day. Winterworktodo: fix speedo, fix kickstart. Thingstoignore: the notchy gearchange, oil leaks.
Friday 1965 Mobyletteav42 » Destination: The Bike office, 16.5miles »Last used :2018» Success prediction :20%
The last time the Mobylette ran was for our 50ccgp feature three years ago. After that abuse it wasn’t working properly so I did the right thing and stashed it in my lock-up, hoping that an extended rest would fix the intermittent misfire and lack of ‘power’. It worked; I slosh some two-stroke mix intended for my lawn mower into the fuel tank and after 20 feet of pedalling she fires up. I hadn’t expected that. With tyres inflated I set out for the Bike lock-up. There is no speedo, but I’d guestimate the top speed at 22.3mph (on the level and with a tail wind). Failure to wear high-viz for my brief ride in the gutter of the A47 while trucks and 4x4s whistled past inches away was probably a mistake, but we survived. Having made it to Peterborough I park the Mobylette in the lock-up. When I go back to it in 2022 I hope it’ll start as easily, though there’s a risk that rust may have eaten it by then. Winterworktodo: feel guilty. Thingstoignore: everything.