Fukkit

Took the (now 12 volt) Bantam out for a spin today.
No more starting problems. Went quite nicely for a SO175.
Then the gear lever went all floppy on me. The spring that centers it
has obviously broken. My friendly Bantam expert says something along
the lines of "Bad batch of springs in the D14 series, they all do that sir."

That will be a complete engine strip and crankcase split just to replace a
2 quid spring.

Grrrr.

 

That's unfair.

The correct form of words is "you pikey ****".

 

But they're "part of yer national 'eritage", like the ads for Walls 'Pork'
(I use the term loosely) Sausages used to say. My BSA C15 was also a pile
of old Brit shite, but I still loved it to bits (which, incidentally, it
usually was). I tend to think of old Brit bikes not as motorcycles but
more of a state of mind. Those nice people in white coats say they might
let me out in a few years' time.

 

How far back does your 'were' extend ?


--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Different bikes for different reasons IME. I've got quite a few SOBBs
and yer modern stuff as well.

If you want something that just works, and can go long distances, in all
weathers, then I agree that modern bikes are unbeatable.

But, the Brit bike thing is fun too in it's own way. Not for long
distances for sure. When I was a kid riding 70 miles on my old A7 was a
hell of a long way - there's no way I would attempt to go that far on it
now. But around the country lanes where I live it's just *fun*, and very
different to a modern bike.

 

I did the ACU National Rally (600 miles in 24 hours) on a 1962 AJS 31CSR
in the early 70's. TBF I don't think I would want to do it now even on a
modern bike.


--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

It's very pleasing to see that moving to the land of the "yankees"
hasn't turned you into some sort of uncultured oaf.

 

What about having the choice of using the Nortern Line or riding a pile
of Brit shite, hmm? What then?

 

or the choice of using a modern bike with the RAC for cover, or riding
a pile of Brit shite with Green Flag?

 

Nah, its just Bear - if its not a big loud shouty penis sunstitute he
doesnt understand - no taste, no appreciation of history.

 

So would you concede that some *really* old (pre Edward Turner Triumph
twin) brit stuff was OK by the standards of the day? But that day had
been probably been had by 1930 TBF.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

That's who?

 

The message <>

I took a SOBB twice round the clock, and then some.

1942 (IIRC) G3 Matchless DR bike. Girders, and rigid rear...

First few thousand miles with a Swallow chair, and then solo, chairlot, solo.

In 1960 I took it to Killin from Hornchurch with chair (in one go - with
some pitstops for nosh and tea): over a fortnight, I took it to the
Highlands again a couple of years later, solo, in the winter, and went
as far as Inverness via Fort William. (Frozen fingers, filter came off
petrol tap and had to clean the main jet every half mile or so from
Rannoch Moor to Fort William.)

Soldered gauze filter back on in Ft. Wm.

Now reliability - the only things to wear out:
Chains; 1 set of clutchplate inserts; tyres; bulbs; front brake linings,
original bore/piston.
It was given oil and petrol, and I bought a new barrel and piston for it
for 30s from Nelson & Ford in Barkingside - which was cheaper than a
rebore and new piston from Airport Engineering in Harold Wood - £3 12s

Thems wos the days innit.

 

curse you and your obvious-in-retrospect logic!

 

Slide rule.

 

In the design department perhaps, but I was thinking more of an analogy.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

<shrug>

 

Talking of which...

It seems I'm going to be working in central London (just up from
Tottenham Court Road tube station), and have to commute 50 odd miles
along the M4.

What say the FOAK, train from Newbury or Didcot, or bike all the way in?
How long should it take by bike from say the elevated section of the M4
to TC Road?