Its been a busy couple of weeks, last weekend we attended a motorcycle Enduro practice day (for novices!) Enduro is a bit like motocross, same type of bikes but through forests normally which means there are more things to hit! Lindsay Barrie had put in an immense effort at Dunning to make a route through the forest and got a former Scottish champion to come along and give us some tips. We did it on the trials bikes which I was glad off but it does give some disadvantages in that on a trial bike there's no seat so you are on your feet all of the time, this led to much pain for the two days after. Despite the rain we both had a fantastic day out and hopefully took away some learning (thanks to all)
A further day in the garage getting the Commando (70 roadster) ready for its MOT and the Mk3 Guzzi LeMans. This weekend we had sun and i'm glad to say both bikes passed. Sunday was a day to move the sidecar before the tax runs out (it's up for sale if anyone is interested) its been brilliant fun but the storage aspect means we will have to move it on.
Afterwards a gentle stroll up to Powmill on the T3 Guzzi which was excellent.
Next Sunday (2nd April) we have the mighty Norton Owners Club Huntygowks meeting at Tullybannocher, Comrie, be there or be square!!
Fiona in action
Lindsay at speed (wearing his tree cutting gear!) its blurred but you get the idea!
Fi looking for the fast route out!
Moving the chair on mothers day so best to use your mum as ballast!
Guzzi enjoying the rest (and the sun)
Thanks to my brother John for this one, taken 3 years ago at castletownbere in the South of Ireland outside McCarthy's bar L-R Fi's Commando, My Commando, Kevin's Triumph ????(why?) Colum's Atlas and Martins Vincent
A weekend in the garage trying to get a couple of bikes ready for the MOT test. The two bikes in question weren't used last year so first job for both was a oil and filter change. The Mk3 Le mans was first on the bench, rear brake overhauled, electrics sorted (starter not working, indicators not working. The starter turned out to be corroded wires and the indicator (a cheap bolt on at the rear) has given way to terminal corrosion so a new standard set ordered up (surprisingly cheap) The rear brake switch had failed so a new one ordered up. A quick clean but not a polish (yet, I'll wait till after the salt has gone from the roads)
The Norton needed some tlc also , the fiberglass tank has succumbed to Ethanol disease and will finally need replaced (I have a steel one already prepared but I've been reluctant to put it on until the glass one failed) With 2 year old fuel in it I was surprised when it started first kick, settling down to a nice tickover. Like the Guzz some connections were corroded and there was much faffing about with a soldering iron and crimps plus a replacement rear brake light switch (which I had in stock) Annoyingly it was the rubber boot that had failed and not the switch itself but I replaced the whole thing anyway. A quick polish and its looking good hopefully it'll get through its MOT and then its ready for the mighty Tay Valley Norton club Huntygowks meeting at Tullybannocher on 2nd April ( be there or be square).
As always its made me realise not using a bike is worse than using it, stuff corrodes and a perfectly functioning bike when put away is rarely the same when brought out of storage. I will need to rationalise the fleet at some point as I'd rather see them used and lessen the maintenance stress but which ones I'll let go is the really difficult decision whenever I bring myself to make it.
The photos actually make the bikes look better than they are.
Le Mans almost ready
Nice
750 Commando being pressed into service until MVD is ready!!
I thing on Saturday I invented a new game, bike chess. This came about due to having too many motorcycles scattered across various garages in various counties. First a visit to Perth early Saturday morning to meet David and Anne Templeton who were picking up the G5 Guzzi I bought just before Christmas. I also picked up one of my Norton Commando's and my Guzzi Mk3 LeMans to bring them down to Embra so I can get them ready to use. We then took the sidecar to see Lois Pryce who was doing a talk at BMW Mottorad in Dalkeith. Lois is a bike traveler and writer, she rode from Alaska to Argentina a few years ago then down through Africa afterwards (solo) and wrote two excellent books on the trips, she has just finished her book on a solo tour of Iran and that was the basis of the talk, an entertaining and informative couple of hours, if you are looking for more info check out her website http://www.loisontheloose.com/ .
After the talk Fiona took control and I had a very quick trip to Prestonpans in the chair whilst Fi tried to prove that no matter how fast she went around left handers the chair wouldn't lift due to my weight!! We then parked up the chair and rode our 800 Honda we bought a while ago back to our house, now that the chair wasn't in the garage there's room for the Norton, Guzzi and Honda. Bike chess, all you need is multiple bikes stored in multiple garages, great fun......not
Today was another trials day, great fun and tiring!
