Welcome one and all!
The Summer may be ebbing away all too quickly, but the bike meets have been buzzing and some wonderful machines have been getting out, no doubt some finished thanks to the Governmentbacked ‘finish your bike’ scheme. Or, at least I think it was called that… Last week there was a twin-BSA A65-engined, original drag bike at our local bike meet, while a couple of weeks ago at another meet, there was a trio of gorgeous, modified Puch Maxi mopeds, a beautiful Rotary Norton F1 - Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP look-a-like, and a BSA with a Ford Kent crossflow engine, mounted transversely. Nev’s been out on his JAP-Ariel, I’ve been falling in love with the B31 again, Maria’s been on her GS500, and there was even a Stanley steam car puffing up to the meet recently – a grand way to travel. Hope you’ve all been getting out alright, too.
“Can I try the Beeza?” asked Maria recently. It was inevitable, I suppose. It’s a great bike to learn on; the gear change is slow, but engine will pull from any revs, the brakes are good enough and the seat height is what a bike should be. “If you can start it, you’re welcome,” I replied, thinking I was safe. First kick, it fired up. Oh well! A quick lesson in upsidaisy, opposite-side gear changes, carb tickling, advance and retard and top dead centre, and madam was ready. Coming from a family of farming and engineers, she mimicked the proverbial duck into water; though she may have been flapping under the surface, Maria looked as calm as a cucumber sandwich above as her and her father rode off. Unlike me, who managed to do nothing in the workshop for an hour, before I heard the putt-putt of the Brummy single coming back home up the lane. Phew.
“That was brilliant!” Then came the realisation that I’ve heard often, of those who’ve had a go on an old bike for the first time and wondered why it’s so different to what they’re used to, yet so much fun.
There’s an element of that every time I pop out on an oldie – and long may that continue.
Had a lovely ride to Derbyshire to see K-Tech suspension on the ‘Pig’ recently. The BMW R100’s 311-mile journey was made all the better thanks to servicing and balancing the Bing carbs; I had more power, less vibes, instant pick-up and a much more pleasant ride. The new jets and needles all add up, but boy is it worth it. Meanwhile, Nev has been sorting a friend’s A10 – it never seems to stop! Apparently the weather is good next month, so let’s make the most of it.
Enjoy, and be good.