Motorbikes

Great set Duncan, some bikes that are right up my street there. Love that first one I bet is would be a handful though. A different kind of custom Harley (ok Buell but it's really just a souped up Sportster engine ;) ). (y)

Yes, that first one is my favourite but I'm not sure exactly what it is. Anyone know? Looks like a Norton to me but I could be wrong. Lovely old thing and defo a handful!
 
I'm pretty sure I've seen that Buelton in a magazine but can't remember if it was a featured bike or a reader's ride. IIRC it's a replica featherbed frame because the sportster motor/gearbox unit is too long to squeeze into a real one (or might be too tall - or both!)

Nice set, 35mm, I'll have those Shovels, please!!!
 
helped another fallen brother into an air ambulance yesterday, head on collision on the A498, thought he had "only" broken his arm and probably some ribs from what i could see but he obviously had more serious injuries as they had to medivac him to stoke as his injuries were too complex for local hospitals, hopefully they wont be life changing...shockingly someone had taken off his helmet by the time i had gotten there ...if any riders out there havent done one id recommenced doing a biker down course...well worth doing
 
If any of you are interested, I videoed the ride up each of the high mountain passes I rode in The Alps.
The first one I did was the Col du Grand Saint Bernard (2469m) from Switzerland into Italy. Weather was not nice, which was a real shame as the rain diminished the beauty of the place.

View: https://youtu.be/95mplFEApr8
you should have used Mat Monro's "on days like these" as the music....answers why on a postcard
 
I’ve uploaded another video, the climb from the Aosta valley in Italy up into France over the Col du Petit Saint Bernard.

View: https://youtu.be/fUth_HJAhM4



As with the other Col, the weather wasn’t great.

These videos serve 2 purposes. Firstly they are great memories of rides that I loved doing; and secondly I hope they’ll be interesting for those that are potentially thinking about riding these roads.

I just wish the weather had been better, but you never can properly predict what it’s going to be like in the mountains.

The next video will be the best one.
 
Today was by far the longest day in the saddle since my comeback - a 7 hour circuit of North Wales.

What I hadn't anticipated is just how hard it is to stop to take photos. I just want to ride. Perhaps I'll get over that.

Anyway, sore bum, sore neck, sore wrist and knackered, but feel great.
 
This is the best video I grabbed from my Alps trip. The ride from Val d’Isere up to France’s highest paved road at the Col de L’Iseran.
The best weather, and the best scenery.
As with the other videos, you can watch it in 4K.
That was an awesome day. I rode 3 Cols that have featured in the Tour de France; this one, then the Cormet de Roselend, then the Col de Semnoz.

View: https://youtu.be/zfNUdsqXEcA
 
I had exactly the same thought on Thursday when I accelerated up to 75mph on a section of dual carriageway that turned out to be a 60mph limit. Guess I'll find out soon enough :p

Best thing is I'm still running the bike in so I was just hitting the 'max rpm' line and not paying much attention to the police van until I thought to check my speed.
They got me! 70 in a 60.

Speed awareness course from home via webcam and Zoom.

£87 :rolleyes:

Oh well! First speeding fine since the 1980's.
 
Outstanding, that takes me back to the eighties and the Kent bike show, when the sun always shone and times were far less stressfull.
The Hells Angels Kent show, is that the one?

I used to go down there just before it moved to the big field then I think my last one was the 10th anniversary one. I have a badge somewhere I think?

Some great bikes and great music.
 
The Hells Angels Kent show, is that the one?

I used to go down there just before it moved to the big field then I think my last one was the 10th anniversary one. I have a badge somewhere I think?

Some great bikes and great music.

That is indeed the one. I went to the last one at the Halfway Cafe on the A20 near Harrietsham, then the following year to the field - Stowting Showground. The Summers seemed to be hotter then, perfect riding weather. The bands were always good, do you remember Dumpy's Rusty Nuts?
Just found this on Youtube.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtSsCCsusmQ


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgMi0SZ8k30
 
Brilliant! DRN were superb entertainers.

I recall the ditch in-between the showground the campsite would often become a makeshift toilet as the weekend went on and of very drunk people would stumble into it during the night. I don't think anyone ever drowned :D

Damn, brings back some cracking memories.
 
Brilliant! DRN were superb entertainers.

I recall the ditch in-between the showground the campsite would often become a makeshift toilet as the weekend went on and of very drunk people would stumble into it during the night. I don't think anyone ever drowned :D

Damn, brings back some cracking memories.

Life was much simpler then. In the early eighties I was in a band and one Saturday we had a practice in my front garden, whilst my parents went out for the day. They came back early, probably mid afternoon, to be greeted with a sizeable crowd of people, cheering us on playing Stones and other cover tracks.
Good times.
 
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Can't believe I missed 20k.

Can't believe it's taken 5 years to get to 20k either, I used to do 15k+ a year not that long ago!

Old age and rubbish health sucks but it could be worse :)
 
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Can't believe I missed 20k.

Can't believe it's taken 5 years to get to 20k either, I used to do 15k+ a year not that long ago!

Old age and rubbish health sucks but it could be worse :)


My bike is booked in for its 12000 mile service on Aug 1st.
So far I've done 11800 miles in 22 months. Not bad considering the lockdowns.
 
An interesting observation...

Sharp right hand turns feel unnatural and weird. Left turns, no problem.

Since I broke my left femur in 1977 my hips have adjusted themselves somewhat and I have a slight twist in my posture. Not enough to be obvious but I'm aware of it, especially if I kneel down.

I realised the other day that I'm not sitting central on the bike. My head is slightly to the right of the centre line of the screen.

Today I tried to force myself central but that was really, really weird.

So, I'm hoping that things will gradually sort themselves out although it's not a big deal if they don't.
 
Interesting looking jacket. Had a look on Sportsbike shop, no owner reviews, so I would be interested on your thoughts…….comfort, pocket space, warmth and venting……any info would be much appreciate.

I did post about it a while ago. I bought it specifically for my Alps trip, and found it just awesome. I couldn’t rate it enough.
Looking at your points in order:
Extremely comfortable.
Loads of pockets.
With the thermal lining in it’s very warm.
2 huge vents at the back. 2 on the midriff, 2 on the chest, 1 on each arm. Airflow through it is excellent and I’ve never overheated. The only time I feel the heat is if I’m off the bike walking around with the jacket on.

The other things I really love are:
Cuff pockets which are perfect for a toll ticket and payment card.
Side netting to drop your gloves into. Such a simple but effective idea.
Space in the back for a hydration bladder, with routing and stays for the tube and mouthpiece. No more having to wear a hydration back pack.

RST really have made a great jacket here.

Yep, I’m really pleased I bought it.
 
I did post about it a while ago. I bought it specifically for my Alps trip, and found it just awesome. I couldn’t rate it enough.
Looking at your points in order:
Extremely comfortable.
Loads of pockets.
With the thermal lining in it’s very warm.
2 huge vents at the back. 2 on the midriff, 2 on the chest, 1 on each arm. Airflow through it is excellent and I’ve never overheated. The only time I feel the heat is if I’m off the bike walking around with the jacket on.

The other things I really love are:
Cuff pockets which are perfect for a toll ticket and payment card.
Side netting to drop your gloves into. Such a simple but effective idea.
Space in the back for a hydration bladder, with routing and stays for the tube and mouthpiece. No more having to wear a hydration back pack.

RST really have made a great jacket here.

Yep, I’m really pleased I bought it.
Many thanks for the comprehensive reply. I’m wrestling with whether to return to the bikes or not, after getting my lovely Harley (and me nearly) written off in April. Still recovering from broken ankle, aches and pains etc.
If I do return, new gear is required and that jacket did catch my eye.
 
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