TOURING TALES

I was somewhat amused to read Frank’s editorial in RC174, where he discusses the practicability / wisdom of touring on our old, classic bikes. The reason for this amusement? I had just returned from the Classic TT in the Isle of Man where on Peel promenade I had the good fortune to come across a line-up of nine – yes, nine – BSA A65s. Had these bikes travelled across from the UK mainland or were they from the Isle of Man? Actually, they were from Norway!

Presumably, the BSAs had been shipped across in vans or on trailers. No, not at all, they had all been ridden there. The only problem experienced on the way out was broken clutch cable. On the return journey home, one bike did need a new set of pistons. After a 350 mile round trip by BSA Spitfire (in half a day…) to get a pair, the new ones were fitted at Hull docks. On their return to Norway, all the bikes were running perfectly once more.

Fortune favours the brave, and possibly we underestimate what our bikes are capable of?