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The Independent Jan Feb 18 Flipbook PDF
The magazine of the British Two Stroke Club
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Ostend Rally.
Pages 17-19.
Mega Rides in Plymouth
John Storey rides on.
Pages 12-13.
Page 9.
I NNDEPENDENT DEPENDENT T The he
January/February 2018
web: www.britishtwostrokeclub.org.uk
email: [email protected]
Newly restored Ambassador Electra See pages 6-8.
Plus News, Contact Info, Section Reports, Run Reports, Technical Articles, Trade and Small Ads.
THE BRITISH TWO-STROKE CLUB LIMITED Welcomes all two-stroke enthusiasts, and all two-stroke machines, especially those of British manufacture. FOU
N D E D 1 9 29
Disclaimer The British Two Stroke Club Ltd accepts for publication in The Independent articles, letters, etc. on an “as is” basis and the Club makes no representation or warranty of any kind with respect to the contents and disclaims all such representations and warranties. In addition the Club makes no representation or warranty about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the information and related graphics published in the Independent. Whilst every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information, it may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. All liability of the Club howsoever arising for any such inaccuracies or errors is expressly excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. Neither the Club nor any of its directors, officers or other representatives will be liable for loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of The Independent. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind including (without limitation) compensation, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profits, loss or damage to property and claims of third parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing none of the exclusions and limitations in this clause are intended to limit any rights you may have as a consumer under local law or other statutory rights which may not, by law, be excluded nor in any way to exclude or limit the Club’s liability to you for death or personal injury resulting from its negligence or that of its directors officers or other representatives.
Club Section Meetings AVON/BRISTOL CAMBRIDGE CHILTERN COVENTRY / WARKS AREA DORSET KENT LANCS / LAKES AREA LEICESTER AREA LINCOLNSHIRE LONDON NORTH DOWNS NORTH EAST WALES NORTHAMPTON SOLENT S. SUSSEX WEST MIDLANDS WEST SURREY
AUSTRALIAN CONTACT CANADIAN CONTACT Please note:-
Contact Stan, Tel: 01179 821611 e-mail: [email protected] Contact: Mike, Tel: 01480 880217. 3rd Thurs each month at The Lord Byron Inn, 22 Church Lane, Trumpingoton, Cambridge, CB2 9LA., 8pm. Contact: n/a. Meetings:- 1st Mon of month at The Five Bells, by the green in Stanbridge. Contact: Bob, Tel: 02476 677874. Contact: Peter, Tel: 01258 721356. 1st Thurs each month at the Cock & Bottle, East Morden, near Wareham, Dorset, 7:30 pm. Contact Simon, Tel: 07949 248 029. 3rd Sunday each month at 10am the Hollyville Café, West Kingsdown by Brands Hatch on the A20. Contact: Neil, Tel: 01253 730666. 32 Cleveland Road, Lytham, Lancs, FY8 5JH. Contact: Eric, Tel: 0116 2750532. 2nd Tuesday each month at the The Lady Jane, Hall Lane (off Meadow Lane / Broom Leys Lane), Whitwick, Leics. Contact: Robert & Maureen, Tel: 01526 345720. Last Tuesday each month 7:30pm at “Sans Souci”, Conningsby Moorside, Mareham Le Fen, Boston, Lincs, PE22 7SS. Contact: Dave, (Technical Officer), Tel: 078910 14595. 1st & 3rd Tuesday, Queen Victoria, Southwark Park Road, London SE16. Contact: Peter, Tel: 01293 410976. Contact: Jayne, Tel: 01244 545119. 2nd Sunday each month from 12 noon at the Ponderosa, Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen. Contact: Keith, Tel: 01604 701925. The Cock Inn, Roade, Northants on 2nd Monday of the month. Contact: Brian, Tel: 02392 343203. 2nd Friday each month 7:30pm, 56 Lysander Way, Waterlooville, Hants. Contact: Nick, Tel: 01273 275309. No meeting place at present. Contact: John, Tel: 01384 372869, Mob: 07811 097524. 2nd Wednesday every month. Marlbrook (Toby Carvery), A38 between J4 M5 and J1 M42. Contact: John, Tel: 01483 275309. 3rd Wednesday of each month, 8:00pm at the Compton RBL Club, Spiceall, Compton, Surrey, GU3 1JQ. Meetings usually start at around 8.00pm unless otherwise stated. Malcolm Day, 145 Nell Street, Greensborough, Victoria, 3088, Australia. Allan Johnson, 51 Market St., Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, L7G 3C4. Tel: 1(905) 877 1565. When writing to any of the above people, please don’t forget to enclose an SAE if you would like a reply. In the case of Malcolm Day and Allan Johnson, an International Reply Coupon.
BTSC Dating Officer : Howard Blakeborough, Little Hadley, St Veep, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0PA. Tel: 07793 674 698 Email: [email protected]
British Two Stroke Club Limited. Company number; 485138. Company address; 8 Pagham Gardens, Hayling Island, Hants, PO11 9SS.
What did the painter say to her boyfriend? I love you with all my art.
Keith Clarke
Chairman’s Notes
Important (and non-important) information and messages from the Club leadership. Hello everyone and welcome to the first Independent of what I hope will be a bright and sunny new year and as I am writing these few words, this is far from what we are experiencing. Outside is a cold and grey looking day and I am left wondering when the nice biking weather will be with us. This time of year is typically a slow time for many of us as our bikes are tucked away or being fettled, however it is a busy time for our Membership Secretary. I thank all those who have already renewed their membership and kindly ask those that are a little behind to send back their renewals as soon as possible so you can continue to receiving this fine publication. It really does help the Club in more ways than one by renewing on time as, not least it saves us money which can only be a benefit to us all. It was nice to see that last years' BTSC Rally received a mention in one of the big national bike magazines 'The Classic Motorcycle'. This was good publicity for the Club and it gave a good account of our main
event and I hope that this will encourage more people, not only to join our Club but also to attend our flagship event. I know I am a little biased, but it if you haven't been, or it's been a while since you last attended our AGM weekend, please consider joining us this year, details of when and where can be found on the events page. Late last year I attended a section Christmas Lunch in a fine establishment which was well attended and rather than having the man from the North Pole as our guest of honour, we had our nice editor instead. I hardly had time to sit down and pull my cracker before it was whipped away by Mr Ed, not that he was after the toy, it was the joke he was after. Alas the crackers did not come from one of the top London 'high end' stores so you can expect over the next months to be chuckling over the usual standard of jokes. Still, it could be worse he could be making them up himself! On that note I will finish, happy riding and I hope to meet up with many of you in the coming months, may the spark be with you.
Contents
BTSC Chairman Email: [email protected] Post: BTSC Chair, 64 Poole Road, West Ewell, Surrey, KT19 9SJ.
Club Section Meetings ...........................................
IFC
Chairman’s Notes ....................................................
1
Editor’s Bit ..............................................................
2
Secretary’s Report ...................................................
2
Membership Matters ...............................................
2
Q Plates ...................................................................
3
Red Neck Run .........................................................
3
1 + 1 go to Estonia, pt 2 ...........................................
4-7
The Story of John Storey - part 24 ..........................
8
Restoring an Ambassador Electra 75 ......................
9-11
Sections ...................................................................
11
Letters ......................................................................
11
Plymouth’s 23rd Mega Ride ...................................
12-13
Barn Stored MZ TS250/1 .......................................
14
Upgrading AMC Forks ..........................................
15
Obituary - Les Jones .............................................
16
Veteranentreffen Oostende .....................................
17-19
Members Ads, ........................................................
20
Forthcoming Events ................................................
Now, does it mean the motorcycle marque? Or that shiny thing we sometimes see in the sky?
Yes, membership is up. Is it in response to our National Rally? Or the report of National Rally?
IBC
Friends of the BTSC ............................................ 7, 13, BC
Whats the difference between a girl who is sick of her boyfriend and a sailer who falls into the ocean? One is bored over a man and the other is a man overboard.
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Editor’s Bit
Martin Green
The Serendipitous Serenades of a Splendiferous Scribe. Hi Again . Now before you moan that the jokes are a bit soppy, they are intended to be ‘topical’ and reflect an important event at this time of year, Valentine’s Day. Most are as ‘groany’ as the Christmas ones (well, I did get some from Christmas crackers), so don’t get too excited. Many thanks to those who sent me their Christmas cracker jokes. I will save them until December. But onto the more important stuff, the magazine content itself. It can be a difficult time of year as there is not a lot of activity going on. Fortunately I have had reports of events that took place while the sun still shone, and while it rained. For the more technically minded we also have articles. But for me the highlight has to be a truly amazing restoration on pages 6-8. Speaking as a ‘motorcycle engineer’ who has trou-
ble with a petrol cap, or attempting to pump up the tyres, the tale of Ken’s achievements is mind blowing. This man didn’t just find parts and bolt them together. But I will not ruin the story for you here, go and read it for yourself. Well, I have to go now and cut out some cardboard side panels. Hope you enjoy the mag. And if you have similar tales to tell, write them down and send them in.
NOTE : Closing date for adverts and “date important” copy for the next issue is March 9th. Email: [email protected] Post: The Editor, 9 Ashdene Road, Ashurst, Southampton, Hants, SO40 7DS.
Secretary’s Report
Robert Hill
More important information and messages from the Club.
Club Website and Social Media : The current website has been brought up to date with the exception of the members page. Current event dates and new photo's have been included. The members page has been temporally suspended. Check it out and let us have your comments. The 2018 AGM and Annual Rally : It was confirmed the rally should take place on the 29th and 30th June and the 1st July 2018. Ken Pinches had booked the site. Andy was giving some thought regarding a free gift for 2018. Coasters were mentioned as a possibility. Prices would be the same as 2017. Accounts as at 31st December 2017 : The prelim any accounts have been prepared and I am pleased to confirm that the Club has once again returned a surplus. This year we are slightly down on 2016 results. I antisipate reporting a surplus of approx £1100. Income has increased by £450 due to Increased membership income and increased investment interest. Unfortunately our expenses have increased by £600 due to two one off costs £250, a new gazebo for events and a new printer for the Secretary. Our third party insurance increased by £100 and Magazine costs by £100. VMCC Free Calendar : The free Calendar sent out to VMCC Members this year has 6 Two-Stokes included in the 13 photo's. A James Comet on the cover picture, February a Silk, June a Yamaha, August another James October a BSA Bantam and December a Greeves. How times have changed, who would have thought two-strokes would become so popular? Many thanks to those members who paid their subscription in BTSC Club Secretary advance and to the 266 members now paying by standing order. Email: [email protected] Finally did you read Roy Poynting’s great article on the AGM in Post: BTSC Secretary, 8 Pagham Gardens, The Classic Motorcycle Magazine (page 80) January 2018 issue. A great Hayling Island, Hants, PO11 9SS. article about a great Club and how to run a proper AGM and Annual Rally.
Membership Matters
Victor Hurst
Notes from the Membership Secretary. Renewing Members New Members Overseas Members Hon Members Total Membership
2017 683 77 11 6 777
2018 615 17 9 6 647
Membership We extend a very warm welcome to the following new members:Andrew Rae Stephen Kingdon Barry Thomas Mike Lang John Burch Ray Upton Martin Reynolds George Rainbow David Frowen Ron Wormald George Warwick Kelvin Freeman Lance Harris 2
Warwickshire Kent Kent Liverpool Surrey Sussex Surrey Bedfordshire Hampshire Leeds Manchester Norfolk Hampshire
Did you hear about the nearsighted hedgehog? He fell in love with a pin cushion.
Peter Cranmer Essex Stephen Callaghan Leicestershire Kevin Hinton Kent Richard Hardisty Somerset I would like to thank all the members who renewed promptly as this saves me a lot of work and saves the Club money. A note to the members who sent in their renewal for membership without the form, this form has two purposes. One to ask you to pay your membership, the other for administration, to enable me to update your records on the database as paid. A note to any members who have not paid their membership for 2018, this is the last copy of The Independent that you will receive until such time as the 2018 membership fee is received.
Full UK ..... £15
Annual Membership Rates European ...... £19 Rest of the World ........ £23
BTSC Membership Secretary Email: [email protected] Post: BTSC Membership Secretary, 6 Hocken Mead, Pound Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 3UL.
Q plates Important info from our Dating Officer
Howard Blakeborough
I have been informed by the DVLA that they are Reviewing the background and criteria for "Q" registration appeals. "Q" registration numbers were introduced in 1983. There was a limited period of one year in which registered keepers could appeal if further evidence of the vehicles age/originality came to light. The time limit was relaxed over a number of years to accommodate restorers who needed a little more time to gather evidence. However there has been an increase over recent years of vehicle applications where the allocated Q" registration number were 20 to 30 years old. With immediate effect the DVLA will no longer review any application that is over 12 months old. If any one has a vehicle with a "Q" registration number and is gathering information for an appeal please ensure this appeal is lodged with the DVLA within the 12 months of issue of the "Q" registration number. On a similar note I have recently had a client come to me for a new dating certificate, the one supplied with a bike he purchased some years ago had been rejected by the DVLA as its issue date was over 12 months old. I have not had confirmation that any certificate over 12 months old would be rejected but it may well be worth ensuring any application is processed prior to the issued date of any certificate reaching 12 months.
The Red Neck Run One of the last West Surrey runs of 2017
Bill Drummond
Eighteen like minded strokers gathered at Wisborough Green, West Sussex, on a fine morning on 8 October for the annual Red Neck run. However one of our number - Tony on his FB - did not make the gathering point as the chain link on his new chain gave up and was lost, so he was forced to call recovery. Sorry Tony. With such a large number of riders we used the drop off system, and Pete agreed to be tail-ender. Off then through Kirdford, Obernoe, and Lurgashall to Fernhurst, where Sid's Honda started to splutter. Low battery voltage was diagnosed affecting the ignition and also requiring recovery. Sorry Sid. I became aware that the number of riders was declining and stopped further down the road to await the stragglers. Thank you to all those parked at strategic road junctions awaiting Pete to come along and for remaining in position to keep the route marked. From Woolbeeding we rode through Bepton, Didling, Treyford and Elsted to East Harting. Then up a long and steep incline to North Marden, over to Charlton and into our destination at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. We enjoyed sitting in the sunshine for lunch before back on the bikes for the homeward run. Thank you to all who supported the event which I would hope to repeat next year.
What did the stamp say to the envelope on Valentine’s Day? I’m stuck on you.
3
1+1 go to Estonia
Georgina Melton
Part 2 of a Trip to the WIMA Rally in Estonia, 17th - 22nd July 2017. Tuesday 18th July - Day trip to Tallinn. Despite waking up to a thunder storm which had the courtesy to move on, we had a wonderful day in Tallinn leaving at 10 am in linguistically allocated coaches and with a linguistically appropriate guide. Our young chap was obviously bursting with pride about his young country who took us to a couple of high vantage points looking out over the city which by now was gleaming in the summer sunshine. Interestingly there was a Russian sailing ship anchored up in the harbour and the sailors had come ashore in uniform. Not something we see a lot of even in Portsmouth, Russian or British. After our group photo outside the old Town Hall we were free to have lunch and a wander. Philip & I joined Val & Ann for quiche and salad & cake - not all on the same plate. And Philip bought me a frock, a little stunna in black linen, before it was time to get on the bus back to Janeda and our rehearsal for Talent Night.
Having lunch inbetween the wander.
Rehearsals - led by Lesley and Cally on fife and drum while I gave my virtuoso performance on spoons. WIMA GB was wonderfully represented in this band of many talents while Lesley arranged an assortment of foot-tapping, sing-alongclapping-along with numbers from popular hits and Cally and Ed performed their masterly drum introduction.
Hunting for a chunk of metal in the bike park.
4
What did the Valentine’s Card say to the stamp? Stick with me and we will go places.
Talent Night. After dinner in the Tavern we took it in alphabetical country order to show each other just what a talented bunch we are, notwithstanding that we had ridden motorbikes across Europe to be here. Again Lesley led her gifted ensemble playing a medley of tunes on a variety of bins and cutlery intended as a sing-along for the rest of the audience .. and we went down a storm as we hoped we would, getting a much appreciated rousing ovation. Wednesday 19th July - Treasure Hunt and Metal Hunt Philip & I didn’t go far today, mainly because his Mash had a serious malfunction. While the rest of the girls had signed up for a treasure hunt we had picked a spot on the map to visit; into our bike gear and out to where the ‘bikes were parked up to find that a chunk of metal had come adrift from the Mash .. the unit consisting of the side stand joined on with the gear change pedal was dangling in mid air. So as the ‘bikes poured past us and into the Estonian countryside Philip tried to bolt the unit back onto the frame to find that the bolt just turned and turned in the way that stripped threads do. The unit just fell out of the frame again & again. We got out of our bike gear and began to gather all the information we thought that the AA insurance would need to assess which hospital the bike should go to. And just in case we weren’t in enough of a pickle the niggle that had been niggling away for a while on my Z-drive swam to the surface. I had arranged our trip home with hotels and the ferries based on our leaving Janeda on the Sunday; Oh no - we’re leaving on the Saturday. I can either rearrange the hotels and ferries to move the bookings back a day or we can spend two nights in our hotel in Riga. First let’s fix the Mash - just in case it has to spend a day in hospital to re-thread the unit. On to the AA Rescue number; passed to the European desk. Philip’s mobile not coping too well with the calls. Borrowed the landline in the Director’s office; 0800 number. Nor with his hearing aids can Philip manage complex calls. Over to me to do the arranging. What bike is it? A Mash 400. Don’t know that one; I described it as ‘modest’. We will pass the call to a local repair facility; this is your incident number. Now, let’s deal with the issue of not having a stable for Saturday night. We were already booked into the Ibis in Riga & a phone call got us a manger for the Saturday night too. Out into the landscaping to watch for the breakdown truck. Well there are worse places to pass an afternoon and a flatbed truck finally hove into view at 4.30 to ferry the Mash Modest 400 to Tallinn. Much to Philip’s surprise - and delight the driver was a mechanic who rearranged the bolts - into a well-known phrase or saying - and drove off after the sidestand/gear change unit was firmly attached to the bike. As his bike is still under guarantee Philip had taken the Mash to the family-run shop he bought it from for a pre-trip service. It’s fair to say that Philip’s assessment of the quality of the service was of the darkest, darkest hue when he could have easily have done the work himself. And put the fixing bolts back on in the right order. Thursday 20th July - Bog Walk and Line Dance We go on a bog walk - or as our guide called it - a ‘borg’. Knock knock .. come in .. Lorraine, hi, how can we help? I’ve a message from an Australian girl, Annaliese, about
a drill and some wire? It’s all organised for you to do your bike. Meanwhile we had breakfast then got ready to go for a walk round/in/through a bog. This was one of the extra ad hoc trips organised by our hosts and one which I had added our names to, taken them off because of the Mash Mishap to make a space for someone else, then put our names back on the list when the Mash was no longer mishapped. For ten Euros each we got a small coach, drove not far and piled out into the woods. I’m guessing that the mosquitos’ native to this bog must be well versed in dumb tourists bringing the mosquitoes’ lunch to them. Fresh meat. But our guide soon had us on the move out of the dense canopy of trees and out into the ‘borg’. Well stone me but as I’ve never seen a pristine bog before I was utterly stunned. It turns out that ‘fragile ecosystem’ really means just that. These bogs - for there is more than one in Estonia - are a remnant of the last Ice Age’s thaw and every single thing, every plant, every step, every drop of water is as pure as pure can be. Occasionally there was the shrivelled stump of a forlorn tree that had starved to death in the clean rain water and instead the plant life was rich in sundews getting their lunch from insects lured and trapped by their sticky pads. Clever, eh?
A remnant of the Ice Age thaw, a fragile ‘borg’.
A couple of people went for a swim in the bog water. Not so pristine now, eh??? We were invited to walk along narrow planks and we walked and walked and walked; to the Russian border it seemed to me. It’s fair to say I was desperately concerned that Philip shouldn’t seize up on me with his metal hips deciding they’d had enough of this walking lark. Carrying Philip back to base between us along foot-wide planks for miles and miles just seemed impossible; he’s a big lad. But Philip had had the nous to take painkillers before we’d set off and we all made it back to the clearing for a bite of lunch and then it was back onto the coach and back to base. Once back at the Guest House Philip went off to find the mechanic regarding the drill and some wire for his Mash. It turned out that the mechanic didn’t have the workshop tools to effect the drill and wire work, but was kind enough to go over the Mash with a socket set and found yet more bolts in need of tightening. Shower, dinner and watch a line-dancing tutorial. Line dancing seemed horribly energetic so we went to bed. Friday 21st July - Visit a castle Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh - it’s almost time to go home. First we have to go to Rekvere Castle on our organised run;
What do you call two birds in love? Tweethearts.
The organised run to a castle. Philip and I were up early to be out for fuel finding an automated petrol stop with a screen with a choice of languages, fill up then back to base for brekky then line up in twos for the rideout. The Estonian girls distinguished themselves by riding in tutus. Not just in tutus but over their bike gear & very stylish it was too. Out at 9.50 into the Estonian countryside and yes, Estonians, that rolling thunder you can hear is actually several hundred girls on motorbikes - with a couple of blokes in the mix - but very, very mostly girls on motorbikes. So, yes, line the route by all means and wave at us riding by and wonder at just how good we feel because you won’t know the full story until you get on a motorbike yourselves. We parked up in the car park of Rekvere Theatre then walked over the road to the castle. Ann and I spent some time catching up while we watched ‘jousting’ and 21st century archery before Philip & I decided we’d enjoyed ourselves and made our way back to the Guest House courtesy of the Tomtom. Back in Janeda we bought stuff for a picnic which we ate in our room before resting our eyes for the afternoon. The evening meal was the traditional lavish farewell feast followed by speeches and presentations and coffee and cake and the Finnish girls, next year’s holders of the International, gave the most entertaining presentation for their week. As the band was hideously loud we fled at 10 pm.
above: Preparing for a joust!, below: The Castle
5
Saturday 22nd July - Home Time Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah - time to go home; how utterly sad that the week had just hurtled by. Thank you, thank you, thank you all the Estonian girls - and chaps - for making our week so stunningly memorable. And now it was time to load up our ‘bikes and ride to Riga. We ate our last breakfast in the Tavern before loading up and saying last farewells and launching into the Estonian countryside for the last time. My bike was riding like a lawnmower. At one petrol stop we bumped into Pete, Lorraine and Ann before we carried on riding south. As Philip and I were taking it in turns to pay for the fill ups it was easy to note just how much fuel we were using and, though I still find this hard to understand, we were using pretty much the same volume. I would fill up with, say 8.3 litres and Philip 8.1; or me, 5.7 litres and Philip 5.6 litres of two star. This wouldn’t have been so puzzling if I weren’t on a 950cc bike - albeit not working very well - and Philip was riding a 400cc ‘bike. Nevertheless, courtesy of the Tomtom we made our way through Riga to an industrial estate by a rail track and found the Ibis Styles we were booked in, we signed in, parked the ‘bikes by the front door, showered and had dinner in the 12th floor restaurant. Lovely. Sunday 23rd July - Duvet day. Extensive buffet breakfast & we may be overlooking the shunting yards but watching the coal trains hauling their loads is, again, not something we see in the UK very much, if at all. In the afternoon we took a walk round the block in the warm sunshine and then spent half an hour enjoying a drink on the terrace & chatting with a Dutch engineer living in Germany who was totally jealous of our travels by motorbike. Well, pal when you’re as old as we are, trust me you enjoy every mile you can. But after half an hour of his whining we’d pretty much had enough and considered that his self-centred moaning was his ticket to his solitary life. Flying Dutchman you bring it on yourself. Shower, delicious dinner for tomorrow we ride. Monday 24th July - Road to Klaipeda Again we enjoyed a well-appointed buffet breakfast, packed, loaded the ‘bikes, waved cheerio to other ‘bikers staying in the hotel then it was out onto the road out of Riga out of Latvia south to Lithuania; the day did not end well. Not irre-
Around the block in the warm sunshine.
6
deemable, just not well. By now my Yamaha was riding permanently on half power; I learned not to wail to Philip ‘cos there was nothing he could do about my overtaking 44 ton trucks at 55 mph but wait to catch up. We stopped at a roadside cafe for a meal which turned out to be surprisingly tasty then ploughed on into Klaipeda under increasingly threatening rain-clouds. Got to the now-familiar DFDS reception building. No-one in reception; at the desk we were advised that our ferry had broken down and we couldn’t sail tonight. Did we want to wait until our ferry was fixed or take a reclining seat each on the ferry tomorrow night? We’ll take the latter option please & do you have a suggestion where we might spend tonight preferably not in the open? We were given a refund on the cabin we couldn’t take and a voucher for the hotel over the road for the night and breakfast the following morning. Reclining seats? Ghastly things but we really needed to get our ferry from the Hook of Holland on Wednesday night.
With other bikers waiting for ther ferry. So we parked up at the 2* Green Park Hotel for the night, refugees from a busted ferry but it was warm and dry, we didn’t have to sleep in the car park, the room had a shower and beds (which meant that Philip got some sleep) and a restaurant. Think positive. Tuesday 25th July - Kicking Heels Today was spent pretty much kicking our heels waiting to board the the 10 pm sailing to Kiel. Late loading as DFDS squashed trucks onto the bridge; met up with other WIMA riders & Ari on his way back from Mongolia on a KTM & Julia in her Moto Guzzi outfit. Wednesday 26th July No shower for us this morning. Did manage to wash my hair and repaint the make-up while Philip stretched out in my place across four reclining seats but goodness the ferry was noticeably more crowded than on the way out. Indeed, in the parking bay to carry more refugees we saw that cars were parked on the ramps. Urk, still in yesterday’s clothes. The ferry captain must have used extra fuel to get his ship across the Baltic and into Kiel on time. We landed at 4.30 but it took us an hour to ride off, again with no passport checks, just our number plates and then Philip and I were off down to Hamburg and to the 4* Mercure hotel arriving at 7.30. We enjoyed our by now familiar guided tour of the side streets before finding the entrance to the hotel, but we were there safe & sound, found a covered parking bay, signed in,
What kind of flowers do you never give on Valentine’s Day? Cauliflowers.
Reclining seats!! found our room, had a shower, a couple of drinks in the bar before crashing out at gone 10. Long Day. Thursday 27th July - Hook of Holland Almost on the last leg of our journey to & from Estonia and today after a ridiculously expensive 4 star breakfast we loaded up and rode the 323 miles west to the Hook of Holland, stopping just for petrol. Nor did that mileage include the awful mistake I made looking for one petrol stop. One missed turning meant an overrun of seventeen miles, believe it or not to get back on the motorway. In the end the ride took us 6 hours to get to the Hook of Holland ferry but we only had a short while to wait to board and much to our surprise we were
given separate cabins. Obviously plenty of room on board but we had a very welcome wash & brush up before almost enjoying an eye-wateringly expensive evening meal and Philip was able to relax to the point of nearly being in a coma. It didn’t take us long to get to bed. Friday 28th July - England Bing-bong - we woke up in England. Woke up too late for breakfast & anyway who wants a mortgage on a stingy fry- up so we decided to stop at Clacket Lane services and instead Philip took out a mortgage on a stingy fry-up there instead. Two cups of coffee = £6 please. On the miserable rackety road to the M25 & Clacket Lane there were no signs stating that any road repairs were being funded by the EU - but then there were no road repairs either. When Philip had been properly robbed for our late brekky we saddled up for the last leg home and Philip’s bike refused to start. It was good and dead without any effort to start so it was out of our bike jackets/helmets/gloves and on to the AA. Again. Breakdown took all of ten minutes to get to Philip, he diagnosed a dead regulator/rectifier so Philip’s Mash made it home in the back of an AA van while I pottered home on my sick ‘bike; home at lunch time. P.S. Took my Yamaha to Haselmere Motorcycles & they have now employed a Yamaha mechanic full time. Not because my bike is always in there but because they needed another mechanic; the computer read-out showed that there was a loose connection so off came the tank, the spade connection was reinstated, tightened up and £85 later I took home my beautiful, wonderful Yamaha XV950R working perfectly.
Philip & I were gone for 16 days; it was utterly magical.
Plan for Valentine’s Day: Breakfast in bed, chocolates, flowers, dinner for two. I always regret eating two dinners, even more than the flowers.
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The Story of John Storey Part 24, covering the years 2011 - 2012.
John Storey
In recent years my travelling on holidays has included visiting ‘Mind’ drop-ins and making friends there (I have become a member of the Mind charity), and this has been very helpful when doing travelling in today’s modern ‘tight’ conditions. I’ve actually given up any weekend riding, but still go on summer holidays. It’s not easy when having to plan as if on military or ‘007’ manoeuvres, especially with spares drying up (T&G are no longer trading), not much money, traffic police; accomodation often full (even the YHA which now takes whole car-travelling families). Oh! For the comparative carefree ‘liberal’ years of the twentieth century! (Even now, owing to ‘funding’ and Government laws, many ‘Mind’ places won’t let you visit if you don’t come from the appropriate catchment area). Anyway I managed to have two more goes at summer holiday riding in 2011 and 2012. But in April 2012 I would be seventy years old – meaning from then on I have to apply for a new driving licence every three years. I was lucky this year; will I be in 2015? (Mind you, I’ve been in situations that could cause road rage among some people – my meds have kept me calm and collected and help me to concentrate more in spite of the lunacy of some drivers and bikers). Yes, I can drive cars too, and there is talk about making elderley drivers – over 75 if not before – retake tests. In 2011 I set out for Lowestoft (to see the rhododendrons at the ‘Sparrow Nest’ and Britten country), Lincoln, Scunthorpe and Yorkshire. Near Scunthorpe I saw a man with a horse and covered wagon – he lives by travelling around in this (a proper gypsy not a ‘diddecoy’). I asked him how he looks after the horse – especially re: new shoes. Apparently he has friends around the country doing blacksmith’s work for tourists. Anyway I wished him admiration and good luck and he clip-clopped on his way – (in traffic?). I saw the family grave at Middleham having visited Harrogate, ‘Squires’ Ace-type cafe near Sherbourne Welmet, and Leeds Town Hall (it’s like a majestic cathedral). Lack of accomodation caused me to travel via Hawes into ‘Walton’ country. (They’ve done a marvellous job in renovating the park at Rochdale, with the Bandstand being restored). Only this time I went straight to Preston to see the Leyland Truck and Bus Museum, and Bolton where Fred Dibnah’s statue now is. But horrors! - the Hick and Hargreaves factory where the ‘spinning jenny’ (the big machine that revolutionised the cotton industry) was invented – had been demolished. So much for English industrial revolution heritage! But the Wingates Brass Band was still in full career! On to Manchester - and was pleased to see that the Free Trade Hall, for years derelict since the Halle Orchestra moved to the Bridgewater Hall, has been refurbished and is now the poshest hotel in Manchester – the Ritz or Claridges of the north – Barbirolli and Elgar would be delighted. Then down the A6 to some of my favourite places, such as Matlock and Buxton. Near Matlock (to see an engine house) I saw a cottage with a notice on the window saying ‘I am a victim of the community’ and such as remarks. Returning, I met the girl who lived there and – yes you’ve guessed it – she was a mental health sufferer, the ‘village idiot’. She was chary at first on seeing me, but when I told her ‘Well, that makes two of us’ she responded. We had a good talk and she told me she felt much better, having met someone (empathetic) in the same boat. We’ve been in contact since and she now has a job and can manage much better. The same type of thing happened in Hawes, Yorkshire, when I was adjusting Project 9’s chain. I met a biker who was ‘pissed off’ with today’s conditions and was thinking of giving up, but on seeing me he revised his enthusiasm. Mind you, people like Ken Ascott and that chap in the Feb 2013 issue with the New Hudson Autocycle that was a beast, has kept me going. Being a member of the BTSC too. I had noticed that ‘The Cat and Fiddle’ (a bikers meeting place near Buxton) was deserted – police helicopters and patrols have put bikers off. Mind you, some bikers did some damn silly things – like at ‘Squires’, showing off. Rain caused the magneto to cut our several times, one notoriously being on an upward steep hill on the A6 between Leicester and Kettering. No trees, nowhere sheltered to stop or park and my bag being saturated in the pouring rain. Still I did get home. John and Project 9 In 2012, with my new Driving Licence, I went to Dorset, Devon, Bath and Shepton Mallet (where an Exelsior ‘Goblin Autobyk’ is kept) – but I was stopped by an unmarked police vehicle – an ordinary 4 by 4 – my rear wheel was out of alignment. Luckily they let me go. Then on to see an old school friend now living near Guildford. He once was a student at Oxford and a fellow Vaughan Williams buff. We went to nearby Charterhouse and ended up with the pair of us singing Vaughan Williams hymns with great gusto in the chapel. Finally down to the Surrey Hills and Horsham and Vaughan Williams country (Dorking). Unfortunately the acres of rhododendrons in the area were finished, but places like Gomshall and Shere and the ‘Silent Pool’ were still inspirational. Leith Hill Place where V-W lived has acres of rhododendrons planted by his maternal grandfather - then V-W bequeathed it to the National Trust. Having spent the night at the first purpose built Youth Hostel near Horsham and Abinger Hammer on the Sunday, returning home, my lights packed up (broken coil). As it was June, I got home before dark in spite of the fact that I had a long stop at what was a measuring instrument factory at Waddon near Croydon, now a branch of John Lewis. Subsequently I fitted new coils and – as the rectifier was old and dodgy – a new rectifier too. It was a good thing I had collected spares in advance, I would need them sooner or later – a lot are not available now. I must say that I had better ‘therapy’ by riding than any pills that are dished out – or at least at that time. It keeps me off drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, junk food and away from the gameboy-nintendo computer ‘playstation’ games. Not to mention finding hands-on broadmindedness and other interests opening up. I’m not interested in the modern fascinations of life, such as football, Madonna’s adopted baby, soap operas, pop music, etc. I am more attracted to the lives of Captain Scott, Francis Chichester, classic composers, writers and poets. I also find stories of people who have gone round the world on bicycles, mopeds, lightweight motorbikes (e.g. Edward March on a Honda Cub) much more captivating and admirable. Maybe I am living in the wrong era? But we can’t be in the 50s for ever, can we? 8
What does a cave man give his wife on Valentine’s Day? Uggs and kisses.
Restoring an Ambassador Electra 75 The many and various challenges of restoring an Ambassador I completed my latest restoration early in 2016, that being an Ambassador Electra 75 fitted with the Villiers 2T engine and Dynastart electric leg! I have restored about one bike a year since 1988. The majority powered by my favourite engine, the Villiers twin. But this is the first one with the Siba Dynastart which is a flywheel generator that doubles up as an electric starter. Brilliant piece of kit that works surprisingly well.
As supplied! I did in fact restore a bike back in the early 1960's and that was, amazingly, also an Ambassador, a Super S. Something I have only just remembered, but that was a one-off and not a complete restoration. I did have to repair some splits in the tinware on that bike which I managed to do with solder and a massive 300 watt soldering iron borrowed from work. I sprayed the bike using a gun that came with our Electrolux cylinder vacuum cleaner taking care to attach it to the blow end of the cleaner of course. I used the same setup to spray my first car, a Sunbeam Talbot. I had to do that out in the street! Those were the days, no health and safety officials wandering about then. Like the Super S the electra 75 has the bathtub like rear enclosure but, in addition, has what I call a funny front mudguard. When I got the bike it was minus the bathtub tinware and correct guards, but I was determined I was going to overcome this minor problem by making the parts myself because finding tinware was never going to happen. I began the restoration exactly as always by taking the bike apart completely and making sketches of all the fasteners complete with all dimensions and their place on the machine. It's also a good idea to take plenty of photo's to further aid the greymatter! I do everything myself with the exception of replating the bright parts and fasteners which go off to the platers. Fortunately, the platers I use can do silver cadmium for the fasteners and most importantly are quite happy to do the chrome on original used exhaust parts. Although for this project I fitted new pipes and silencers. The exhaust pipes came from Villiers Services and they are a perfect fit, and they needed to be because the route is very, very tight. New silencers came from The Classic
Ken Corrigan
Bike Shop on ebay and they are excellent quality and work really well. They are universal in that they have a threaded insert on the inside face to which you attach your own bracket. To make the tinware I firstly had to work out the dimensions and shapes. This I did by scaling from original photo's and transferring these to cardboard. When the cardboard parts were right on the bike they were then used to make the parts out of sheet steel. The trickiest part was how to create the double curve at the rear of the side panels where it meets the central rear mudguard section. The solution was to cut out the correct length from a deeply valanced mudguard, cut this down the middle and weld each to it's respective side panel. If I am making this all sound easy, believe me it was not! Lots of cuts snipping and welding was needed to get all the curves, etc., just right. To get the curves in the side panels where they go over the frame tubes at the top I used two methods. For the straight runs I clamped a piece of tube to the panel and bent the top of the panel around it, having first made a cut in the panel before the point where it turns a bend. For the part where the panel turns as well as goes over the frame tube I made cuts in the panel about half inch apart and with the panel in situ dressed it over the frame tube to form the curve where the top of the panel turns in at the front end. I then tack welded it while in place and finished off the welding with the panel removed. I accept that my methods may not be the way that a skilled sheet metal worker would go about it but I have absolutely no training in sheet metal working although I had seen on TV the use of cardboard templates to get the shapes right. I used the same method to work out and make the curved infill sections to the sides of the front mudguard. There were just two more tin bashing jobs to do, make the rear number plate/ light holder and also the bottom half of each fork shroud, someone had sawn them off and fitted rubber gaiters. When I got the bike it had just a standard chain guard. It would originally have been fitted with a fully
Cardboard side panels.
What do farmers give their wives on Valentine’s Day? Hogs and kisses.
9
Shiny metal side panels! enclosed type. I did consider making one but I decided against this because to get the wheel out meant dismantling the thing and by all accounts that is a real chore. The electra 75 originally had two 6v wet lead acid batteries in series, and to get at them it was necessary to remove the side panels which I believe meant removing the rear wheel to gain access to the fasteners which of course meant dismantling the chain guard, say no more. I have managed to get everything electrical that may need attention just below the front half of the dual seat, so the side panels should not need to be removed, unless the engine had to come out which is unlikely for many thousands of miles in view of the fact that I have overhauled the engine. I've replaced all the bearings, seals, clutch plates and springs, a reconditioned exchanged crank from Villiers Services went in, and the cylinder bores needed just a light hone with new rings on the pistons. I've fitted Villiers high compression cylinder heads to hopefully counteract any power loss due to the extra weight of the Dynastart lump! On the 2T/3T these heads really do make a difference. On the 2T they raise the compression ratio to 101. I should mention that only the Villiers made high compression heads, P/N D11335 & D1133, with the smaller pear shaped combustion chamber can be used on the 2T. The standard heads that have been ground down will most likely cause the piston to collide with the spark plug. It's OK to use these on the 3T because the piston at top dead centre is lower down the bore due to the barrels
Voltage Regulator and palm of hand.
Front mudguard. being a little taller than 2T barrels. The electrical bits accessible under the seat are :starter solenoid, the ignition coils and condensers/ capacitors, the solid state voltage regulator, fuses, and two 6v 8ah cyclon batteries. The voltage regulator looks lost in the palm of the hand so is very easily accommodated. For the eagle eyed experts, yes it should have a shroud over the handlebars and controls but after reading some road tests where it was reported that the shroud blanked out the bottom half of the speedo face, I decided against making one!! Also it will be noticed that the edges of the side panels and front mudguard should have two parallel ribs pressed in for strengthening. This was impossible for me to do, so the strip steel was the next best thing. If anyone out there just happens to have a set of side panels and mudguards I would love to have them, please! The paint finish is two-pack for the black, and a gold base coat with two-pack clear coats for the rest. Oh and I just had to have an ammeter, which is also not an original fitment. The wheel hubs are Qualcast which was a big surprise. I had no idea they made anything other than lawn mowers. Relined 7" shoes were installed into these. The wheels are 17" and I laced these up with polished stainless spokes with nickel plated brass nipples and new rims. New tyres, tubes and rim tapes finished off the job. For the wiring I use trailer cable. It has one thicker wire amongst the others which is usually white, and I use this for the supply to the headlamp switch, using the thicker wire minimises voltage loss. I use one wire as an earth back from the headlight to a common earthing point usually under the seat near to the battery. I prefer to do this rather than rely solely on a chassis earth return.
Under-seat electrics.
10 Do skunks celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Yes, they are very scentimental.
Finished at last. One other thing that the eagle eyed experts will observe is that I do not have the chrome guide strip across the top of the front mudguard. The strip had a half round cup on each side lined with felt. These cups pressed against the fork shrouds to stop the mudguard waggling from side to side and colliding with things when going up and down. I'm told they do a great job as paint strippers! Fortunately for me the strip steel finishing I have on the sides of the mudguard have made it sufficiently rigid when bolted up. While on the subject of things not original, someone I am sure will notice that the badges I have made for the side panels have a curved top. I discovered too late that they should be straight across the top. It's amazing how the internet has made finding bits and pieces so very much easier.It would probably have taken me years of walking around jumbles and searching through various publications to get the many things needed for this particular project as it was it was completed inside a year. Where would I have gone to get the sheet steel in varying thicknesses, or find out that some company made a solid state voltage regulator specifically for the Siba Dynastart. That was a real find as
was the large headed stainless steel screws that hold the seat in place. The list goes on. I am not a fan of computers but when it comes to literally finding everything needed for a project such as this it is unbeatable,and worth the occasional banging of head against wall. Happy restoring.
Sections North Downs Section (Ex-Croydon Section) I apologise for taking yet more space, and boring most of the extended readership of this illuminating glossy magazine, so magnificently edited by our splendiferous scribe. Astute readers will have noticed how he frequently slides the knife into me, then twists it so gently in a subtle way, so I will try to be economical and not ramble in my usual manner. At our annual meeting last year down yonder, with 160% attendance, the (un)usual five plus three most welcome distinguished visitors who joined us for luncheon. Between putting the world to rights and discussing the menu somebody mentioned the name change. So a quick run through the shortened list, plus the suggestions kindly sent by other members, thank you very much for the interest, some were even printable. But I will refrain from listing them, as I said, I want to keep this short. We whittled them down to two and casually voted with NORTH DOWNS winning the day by a slim majority, our
Letters
esteemed visitors abstained. The favoured Surrey Hills rejected because of association with the popular run of that name by our successful near neighbours in West Surrey. We will not use the new name while we transition (note the buzz word, no idea what it means in 21st century, answers on a postcard!) to give time for objections, which will be ignored anyhow. Sadly and surprisingly, no volunteers came forward to either lead!! this fine body of .....er men, or should that be people, or to continue with the Croydon Section as was. So you will be lumbered with me for a while longer. My how these little notes do go on, but guarantees I will never be Club Chairman, sorry, Chairperson as the AGM would go on for days. Please come and support Dave’s Great Carbon Footprint Run, starting from The Feathers at Merstham, 10am on April 8th, more details in ‘Wots On or Forthcoming Events’, in the inside back cover of this esteemed publication.
Peter Moorey
Have a gripe, supply info, voice opinions, spread news, etc.
I am a sort of born again two stroker. I’ve kept my bike but haven’t run it for 10 or 15 years. I was a member back in the 80s and went to the 60 year festival on my 98cc Bown fitted with a Villiers 2F engine. I still have the engine, having given the bike to my son. I wonder if any member has published in the magazine, or elsewhere for that matter, an article about dispensing with the point on these little engines which, whilst the engine runs, are a pain to set up? Also, has a member been able to improve the overall performance of these engines without incuring great expense? Living in a hilly area every bit of extra power to the rear wheel is important. A reply via email would be appreciated. Finally, are there any other members in my part of the world?
J. E. Fletcher Scarborough [email protected]
Why did the pig give his girlfriend a box of chocolates? 11 Because it was Valenswine’s Day.
Plymouth’s 23rd Mega Ride A popular charity event from August 2017.
Colyn Thomas
Sunday in mid-August means one thing to thousands of bikers of the south west - the return of the hugely popular “Mega Ride”. So each year Colyn Thomas and his son, Steve, ride a 90+ mile return journey from their home in Cornwall to take part in this event. This year (2017) it was the 23rd Plymouth Mega Ride. Colyn for many years rode his BSA D1 Bantam but due to a total hip replacement this year rode a Yamaha Serow with Steve on his 200 DT Yamaha two stroke. Its all about the smell of leather, the roar of engines the wind in your hair and an opportunity to be part of the big family, the big motorcycling community, and get to meet many old friends. This event is the largest charity ride in the country with well over 8,000 motor cycles taking part in 2010, possibly 10,000 this year due to the excellent weather. The event is getting bigger year by year with some motorcycles travelling as far away as Scotland, many parts of Europe, and even some Australian bikers took part. When you add their many pillion passengers to this and the spectators en-route you are talking of crowds well in access of 250,000 people. The concept behind the Mega Ride is very simple; it is to get as many like minded people together to raise as much money as possible for charity. Every rider that enters pays £3.00 and is given a much coveted lapel badge and information sheet to show they rode in the event. The police motorcycle escorts are there for the riders’ safety but if you ride like a numpty by pulling wheelies, doing burnouts or riding with no hands then expect to get nicked. This year was the 23rd year and it raised tens of thousands of pounds which are split 50/50 between two charities chosen by the public on an online voting system. The chosen charities for this year being 1. Amber Angels Trust. 2. Devon Freewheelers (Blood Bikes). The Plymouth Mega ride was born in 1995 with a meeting of 400 bikers in the Novotel car park at The start of the event with riders entering the ride by paying their Marsh Mills, Plymouth, the following year they invit£3.00 entry fee, collecting their badges and information sheet. ed their friends and 800 riders turned up. In the end it got so big that the venue for meeting up had to be moved to the industrial estate at Lee Mill. Colyn and Steve set off from their home at 09.00 hours on Sunday 13th August in morning mist with the possibility of a shower and a promise for the sun to shine which eventually it did to become a lovely day. They wished to ensure they were at the start by 10.30 hours or sooner, (some 37 miles away). First they had to ride from their home in Millbrook, Cornwall, to the Saltash Bridge and cross over the River Tamar into Devon and continue up the A38 to Lee Mill for the start, pay their entry fee and collect their mega ride badge, etc. At approx 11.30 hours headed by a team of police motorcycles, riders of all ages on motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and trikes of all types, engine sizes, and vintage roared up the north bound A38 to Marley Head where they then crossed over the motorway before returning to the city on the south bound A38 and the gathering on Plymouth Hoe. More than one hour later while motorcycles are still leaving Lee Mill industrial Estate to commence their journey, with others on the other side of the road making their way back the motorway and through the crowded streets of Plymouth. The motorway, flyovers and streets of Plymouth are lined with thousands of people cheering the bikers on. It’s a wonderful feeling to have people waving to you and cheering you, as you progress on your bike, Just a view of some of the machines on Plymouth Hoe, Smeaton’s Tower can be sadly only a few were pop, pop, popping seen in the background. 12
What did the chocolate syrup say to the ice cream? I’m sweet on you.
along trailing a light plume of blue smoke, mostly vintage Lambretta and Vespa scooters although there were a few Japanese two strokes. Of course a high percentage of the motor cycles are young to middle age riders on modern very high performance machines or Harleys while the older riders seem to ride the much older mainly British Classics or Scooters. For a small part of the way Steve and I were again riding along side a retired copper on a 1947 ex-Police side valve Triumph which was complete with illuminated Police and Stop board. With the throttle opened you could look into the bell mouth of the machines carburettor and see the inlet valve going up and down. Apparently his father used to Steve in red cap stood between Colyn’s 1991 Yamaha Serow and ride this bike as a Devon traffic police officer Steve’s 1985 DT 200 at the end of the ride on Plymouth Hoe. in the early 1950’s Plymouth Hoe then provided a perfect grandstand for this event, line after line of motorcycles were parked the full length and width of the Hoe, so the riders could display their shinny machines to the eager crowd who were all keen to get a closer look at the bikes, talk to the riders and enjoy the public entertainment which was laid on. There was hot and cold food, trade stands, Custom bike stands, motorcycle clothing, Live Music, Face Painting, Tattooists, bouncy castles, and Mega Ride “T” shirts and Mugs etc were for sale, to give a wonderful day out to all. Our bikes ran beautifully during the whole event. Although well advertised in the press and on the net for at least 10,000 motorcycles to turn out (not all riding in the event) and I repeat apart from some Lambrettas and Vespa scooters I was saddened by the complete lack of British vintage Two Stroke motorcycles taking place. Surely there are some members of the British Two Stroke Club that might like to ride next year?
What did the paper clip say to the magnet? 13 I find you very attractive.
Barn stored MZ TS 250/1 An Ebay project experience. Despite Ebay seller being very truthful about general look, condition and complete silencer assembly probably needing renewal, I put a bid of £200 on it, lots of lookers too and a few bidders, it just kept climbing higher in price, until I almost gave up. I have of course heard about some sellers getting their mates to put false bids in or at least try to bump prices up. But despite the glaringly poor look and stated condition of the, of course, non-runner, I put my last bid in of £400! What was I thinking? It was mine for £370, finally. Mrs and self took a run down to Luton I think it was, to pick bike up in my 1986 Leyland Daf Sherpa, which alas! I no longer own, what a truly handy vehicle that was. More faults not mentioned on the listing were soon obvious when the ill owner’s friend first let us look around bike. Partly perished tyres, no battery in it (of course) surface rust on bars, rubbers insulating cables fed into switches on bars broken away, etc., told a sorry tale. The free rear luggage rack was a definite plus, at least, as was the side stand which is mounted on the rear wheel spindle, or very near it, it seemed. I can haggle with the best of them, but find it very strange to hear people trying to make a deal, when they turn up to pay for and collect their Ebay purchases from me! I don’t mind selling extra items that they may find useful, but trying to lever a penny less than that quoted on the bay just seems wrong to me, I paid the man cash and we went on our way. I have many BSA Bantams that I haven’t even started on yet, except for stripping them out to every last nut bolt and washer, I know the models quite well and of course quite a lot of my parts came already in boxes as “used spares”. MZ sale ended in April of 2016, with the Bantams, plus two Cubs and a recently acquired C15 which wasn’t quite right, to ponder over, maybe yet another bike wasn’t what I needed exactly just at this time. What I said to my wife to come on the drive down and help me load the bike, let alone validate another bike purchase, evades me at present, but I’m always truthful, so had nothing to hide...! Bike sat in my shed for a while until other matters were dealt with. I was waiting for a good long session to partly strip bike down to find problems maybe not mentioned or perhaps not even known to seller. First thing on any new bike acquisition is looking for a good spark, there was none, I was using three small six volt Yuasa gel type alarm batteries wired in parallel, so still six volts, but potentially treble the amperes output. Took side cover off and cleaned points up, which amazingly weren’t too bad, a weak yellow glow from parking bulb showed something not right with battery and/or wiring, but I now had a yellow spark. Tried some neat two stroke mix in plug hole a few times and actually got a half hearted pop or two, things were looking up now, I thought. Carb inside was awful, corrosion of the ally, black and brown gunge like dried treacle gumming up everything in sight, it was awful to look at and I began to wonder how much a new carb might cost, if I could get one, as bike is a 1978 model. I set to and cleaned it up with a blunt knife and sharper Stanley knife blade, plenty of blue paper roll towelling and fuel were helping a lot, eventually got out all carb jets too, but cleaning of the very small ones ended in my buying of a full jet kit on the bay later. A new battery also was ordered, as I wanted to rule out each weak area of my ignorance about bikes system as I went, also found a good cheap used Haynes manual and eventualy an original little handbook too, from the same place. Was disheartened to find half of new jet kit I bought didn’t fit or were different from the ones in my 36 mm carb, as opposed to the 32 mm one that it appeared I’d thought was fitted to the bike. 14 What did the French chef give his wife on Valentine’s Day?
Hugs and quiches.
Dave Dale I had to plough on with the some of my old parts and some of the new that fitted or were similar. But one day I managed to get bike going, great clouds of acrid smoke issued forth from the silencer and wouldn’t stop, despite using a 33 to 1 mix from my D7 Bantam, MZ do actually advocate a 50 to one ratio, but that does seem very weak, Stihl chainsaw type figures really. Once you have a running engine you’re almost there, or so it would seem...in the 19 months I’ve owned this bike I’ve replaced many things, some like the battery, three times! This was due to dynamo output being very low due to carbon from brushes shorting out commutator segments, a junior hacksaw blade ground flat on blade sides and used between each segment soon had the dynamo sorted, cleaning and resetting of cut out and regulator points helped a lot too, some yellow and green mains earth cabling was run from engine rear mount to frame and rear/front lamps to help with the poor earths experienced before. A new little red plastic connector block did its bit too, plus a full set of new cables. A few rides around private land one day ended up in a piston partial seizure, which I still cannot explain, all three rings were jammed into piston, but how? At that time I hadn’t yet used fourth gear, getting up to about twenty five in third. A new Polish imported piston and rings soon came, getting those new rings on was murder though, first time in thirty years that I’ve broken a ring, finally remembered good old Motorcycle Mechanics article or Guinea Gimmicks idea of using old feeler gauges to slip new rings on helped. Odd little steel tubes found in rubber protectors of rear chain turned out to be broken rollers, so fitted a new chain, same as used on C15 as it happened. Got a friend to TIG weld snapped off lug on aluminium battery holder too, as bike was getting much better mechanically, if not superficially. I think it was at this point that I made my mind up to keep her as a “rat bike”, parts costs were mounting up and many more were still needed. Like the lock for seat, rear shock absorbers that were truly shot, two new Cheng Shin tyres, brake shoes etc, I make my own bike cables which does help a bit, owning many yards of new cable inner, outer and a good selection of brass nipples from my now finished lawn mower repair business. Having other bikes to both ride and work on has enabled me to really take my time on this bike, but I was in no hurry, a silly mistake was my insuring it only months after purchase. I somehow felt that I’d ride it and do repairs as needed, some hopes! MOT items are not by choice, but when she was finally as fit as I felt I’d need I booked her in and waited for the good news. Tester obviously was too used to working on moderrn bikes, failed throttle twistgrip on not returning quickly, I said that the screw and nut underneath most controls is for adjustment, some magneto type bikes without ignition switches are set up to cut out engine when throttle is twisted to low limit, like for instance the D1 Bantam is how engine is cut out, friction on control allows right hand to be put out to indicate a right turn, with engine still at fricton set throttle level. Also failed on rear light not working, I was amazed to find one Lucar type connector just laying there, I’d only taken back light assembly to pieces to clean, adjust and fit a better new bulb the previous day, how that happened I have no idea, as I remember distinctly checking all lights before putting bike away. But an hour later I’d sorted both light and throttle control. The hoped for piece of paper was handed over and I was finally free to roam wherever I wanted legally. Taxed bike on way home for £41 I think, but that wasn’t quite the end of the story....
Update on the upgrading of AMC forks Following earlier articles on AMC fork I have now made the additional pieces for one side of my forks. The standard damper post has now had the additional 2 small holes drilled, plus the bronze bush as an insert (see diagram) the long rod is threaded at both ends, the longer hex nut made and the brass piston turned & threaded. Now for the assembly sequence. Using the good old trial and error method, I worked out the best sequence of assembling all the parts is as follows. 1. Screw the piston onto the bottom of the long rod, use a bit of Loctite, the originals were soft soldered 2. Feed the long rod through the modified damper post 3. Attach the long nut to the top of the long rod, Loctite again 4. Screw the rod into the top spring locator, making sure the spring doesn’t start to wind onto the damper post 5. Put the damper post in the vice using soft jaws pull the spring away from the damper post and turn it, thus finishing off screwing the rod into the top locator. 6. Now re-attach the spring to the damper post 7. Having put new seals on the upper legs and filled one side with the 165cc of SAE30 oil, attach to the main part of the fork pressing. I fitted another fork leg with NO additional parts and only using 55cc of oil as a comparison. NOTE this is not for riding, but to compare the left leg against the right leg in a manual compressing test.
Mark Gooding
I found the original setup, eg. 55cc of oil, very soft and springy, the upgraded right leg had more compressive resistance and some degree of reduced bounce back. The next real test is to make a second set of parts and fit the completed set of forks into a bike for road testing Hints for fitting oil seals. 1. Borrow a seal fitting tool or buy one from the Francis Barnett Club. This get the seal over the first bearing 2. I used an empty drinks carton to make a “bandage” to cover the second seal, thus making a small ramp over the top bearing. A small squirt of light oil helps as well. Fit new fibre washers and the Seloc washer on the drain screw. This Seloc washer is a rubber covered star washer, the dimensions for this one are 0.255” ID, 0.533” OD and 0.077” thick. Or in metric, 7mm ID, 14mm OD and 2mm thick. Numbers are rounded up, before anyone gives me the metric conversion to 4dp! Modified later damper post. (one hole higher up. See previous article on damper post types.) The 2 extra porting holes and the inset bush. I used a 10mm bush and reamed it in situ, to 8mm, to suit the rod I used.
Why did the cannibal break up with his girlfriend? Because she wasn’t to his taste.
15
Obituary - Les Jones
Colin Atkinsion
It is with sadness that I report the death of long term member, friend and past Vice President Les Jones on 4th January 2018. I do not expect that too many of our present day members remember Les, as he had not been able to ride motorcycles for many years now owing to a severe back complaint which made it very painful for him to do so. However, when I first joined the BTSC back in 1965 Les had already been a member for around five years or more and he was one of those who welcomed me into the Club when I travelled up to my first major Club event in February 1967. At that time the running of the BTSC was centred around Les' home city of Nottingham and the Leicester area. It was quite a trek for me, being based in Essex, to make the return trip to Nottingham and back on my Francis Barnett for a day's meeting. One of these meetings was held in Les' flat at that time, which was on the 12th floor (I think) and I had never been so high up in a building before. In those following years Les held an assortment of Club positions at various times, such as Editor, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary, before becoming our technical department in the days before we could manage enough volunteers to have Marque Specialists. After which he became our Marque Specialist for all types of scooters up until his health dictated that he stood down. He was also a long time Vice President of our Club. Having spent most of his working years in the motorcycle trade during the era when many of our bikes were made in he was well qualified to understand the various problems which might arise. Generally preferring to ride scooters rather than bikes, in his earlier days he travelled extensively on his various scooters, both at home and in Europe. He also had a liking for cyclemotors and mopeds and like our then Secretary, Ray Pratley, often entered the ACU National Rally on them, with no hope of managing the maximum 500 or so miles, but endeavouring to travel as many as possible and visit as many controls as they could, competing for the best 50cc award. Over the years Les rode and repaired many two-strokes, however, I know that his favourite cyclemotor and favourite scooter were actually both four strokes. The cyclemotor being the Ducati Cucciolo (of which he had two) and the scooter being his Heinkel 175. His two-stroke Durkopp Diana was a close second though and I remember that his last moped ride was on a NSU Quickly. Throughout a lot of his life Les was a carer for his disabled brother, which prevented him from doing lots of activities over the years, but he still tried to get to our AGM and Rally when he could get there by public transport. He married his wife Jackie late in life and were therefore not able to enjoy as many holidays and years of good health together as they deserved. On behalf of the British Two Stroke Club I sent our deepest sympathy to Jackie and her family for their loss.
16
What did the light bulb say to the lamp shade? I love you a whole watt.
Veteranentreffen Oostende 41st International Veteran Motorcycle Rally.
Robert Hill
Another year had come and gone and for the third year running I was to make the trip to Belgium. This year there would be seven members of the Club on motorcycles with my wife and Sue Green in a car, we extended the trip to seven days. Our esteemed Editor, Martin Green, and his wife, Sue, were to join us. We all met up in Cowfold on Wednesday 14th September stayed overnight in Ashford, Kent, crossing over to Dunkirk on the Thursday, riding down to Ostend and staying four nights in Ostend. Our return was the exact opposite, Dunkirk, Dover, Ashford, staying overnight then riding home on Tuesday. The Seven bikes were a Greeves Sports Twin, Royal Enfield Turbo Twin, Francis Barnett Cruiser 225cc BSA B40, Suzuki SB200 Twin, Martin's TU250X Suzuki and a Modern Monster Yamaha. The run to Dover should have been uneventful but with my wife's car following I had decided not to lead, but to ride in front of the car and follow at the rear of the motorcycle group. Martin was acting as tail end Charlie behind the car. We were using the old riding technique of looking after the rider behind. At any road junctions, wait for the rider following you to arrive before leaving the junction. At our tea stop my Francis Barnett refused to start, five bikes left and no one waited at the next junction I was not happy!!! Fortunately for us my wife had the satnav on in the car and we were able to find our way and caught up with the others. This problem of riders not stopping was to cause a number of issues over the weekend. We arrived in Ashford and found a great pub/restaurant very near to the Travel Lodge which had a reasonable priced meals. Next day we rode to Dover and arrived in Dunkirk at 3.00 p.m. We looked forward to an easy ride (36 miles) to our hotel in Ostend. A simple route had been agreed, keeping us away from the motorway, skirting around Dunkirk and then along the coast. What we did not anticipate was the major road works, which were to confuse Victor, the run leader (who was using Google maps and route card). This resulted in us losing one of the riders and getting lost ourselves. It all started as we headed out from the ferry. We had to wait for the car and eventually left the port in a different lane than anticipated. This lead to confusion on the roundabout junctions and eventually to getting lost near Dunkirk. But before this we were to have problems on a dual carriageway when one of the bikes stopped. We all stopped, including the car, and the police who just happened to be following took a dim view of us stopping! Sirens blazing, red faced Gendarmes, we were told to move on immediacy. I took my wife and car away and the others followed (or so we thought). Andy was feeling ill and did not start. After the police had gone we hit major road works and diversions and in this confusion somewhere we took the wrong road. We stopped at a safe place only for Victor to say he was lost and we were on the wrong road. Then we discovered there were only six bikes and one car. No Andy, what to do? We could retrace our steps, but as we were on the wrong road and not sure how we got there if Andy had got going on the right road we would miss him. Firstly we had to get The hotel in Ostend. on the right road. This was achieved by Martin using his satnav which took us through the centre of Dunkirk (major road works again). We eventually found our way out and onto the right road. Now to find Andy. We tried to contact him on his mobile, no joy, we sent him a message saying we were lost and he should make his own way. Andy had details of the hotel. Was he behind us or in front? We decided to ride at a conservative pace just in case he was behind and he would catch up. Of course he was in front and going faster!! We would not see him again until we reach the hotel in Ostend. Following the satnav we took a different route around Safely parked in the underground car park, Nieuwpoort and eventually had to stop for fuel. Five of us filled but can they get out again?? up, Don did not (this was to have repercussions later in the week). Don needed a comfort break and the garage wanted 50 cents for the use of the facilities. Don had no Euros to hand and the garage owner would not take sterling it took a while for me to find a euro for him and by then we had all filled up and were ready to go. So no fuel for Don. The weather was changing and a high wind had set in as we rode along the coast road, the wind whipped up the sand and blew it across the road in a sand storm. The sand got into our faces and eyes and made the journey very uncomfortable. We arrived at the hotel, found Andy and our rooms. This year's hotel had no on-site parking but we had booked underground parking in a private car park. We were given two pass cards (like credit cards ) and instructed on how to operate the gates in the car park. We arrived at the gates, seven motorcycles with two cards. The gates work on an ‘intelligent’ camera and sensor system. Use card, barrier up, vehicle in, barrier down. We made a trial-anderror start failing to use the card properly and get a ticket instead. However, we get 3 bikes in. Then, successfully using the card, repeat with 4 bikes. We parked up and cover bikes then walk the short distance to hotel.
Why did the banana go out with a prune? 17 Because he couldn’t get a date.
That evening the rain came in with a vengeance. We made our way to the seafront to find a restaurant and had a great meal. It was an Italian place with good food and prices, but the wind howled, and the rain beat down. Not a good sign for the rest of the weekend. The next day the weather forecast was not good so we decided to take a rest from the bikes and to take the local tram (Kustpas). We brought a day ticket from the tram station, only 6 Euros, and headed east along the coast towards Zeebrugge. We got off at Blankenberge and walked to the seafront. Here we found an old fashion pier and strolled down it and took tea in the cafe at the end. Great fun but soon it was time to head back past Ostend to Middlekerke where we took lunch in a seafront cafe. When it was time to return to Ostend we found that the tram's had stopped running due to a breakdown and buses were operating instead. There were queues everywhere so we decided to go back to a cafe and wait awhile. After an hour or so the trams were back running and we returned to Ostend. We had dinner in the centre of Ostend again in an Italian Pizza restaurant. Saturday's weather forecast was unsettled and again we decided to leave the bikes and take the train to Brugge. We found a great bargain on the rail fares and brought tickets as an old age group. The Express was smooth and fast, and we soon arrived at Brugge. We decided we would have to get two taxis as we had no idea where the main attractions and canals where. Two large Mercedes were found and soon we were in the market square. Heading for the end of the pier. What we needed now was coffee, so bravely we went into a cafe in the market square and were surprised how reasonable the prices were. We placed our orders and much to my surprise the waitress brought me two large beers instead of two Latte. It would seem my pronunciation of latte sounded just like lafet (beer). She was not happy with me but took them back away and eventually brought me the two coffees I had ordered. We will not be coming back here for lunch. We had a great time sightseeing walking through the lanes and watching the boats in the canals. Soon it was lunch time and again we returned to the Market Square into a cafe next to the one above. We all had a three course fixed price meal for 16 Euros each. Great price, food and location. We sat outside and the owners put all the gas heaters on for us. Although it was cold we soon began to roast. Our return we the reverse of arrival, two taxis to the station, the express back to Ostend and again made our way to the same Italian Restaurant as Friday. Sunday was Rally day. Delia's cousin, David, and his wife, Brugge canals and tourists. Hilda, were coming over from Antwerp and would be taking Delia and Sue out for the day. The rest of us had to get the bikes out from the underground car park and make our way to the start of the Rally in Ostend. Now you will recall Don was short of petrol and Phil, with Georgina as pillion, successfully in, needed to fill up before the start of the Rally. Victor and myself were but Martin stopped. to take Don to the nearest garage and fill up. We all know how the cards work. So the plan to get 3 bikes out on one card was that we line up side by side, open the barrier and go through together. Don is a keen speedway addict and when he sees the barrier go up its like the start of a speedway race. He drops the clutch opens the throttle and speeds through the barrier up the ramp and into the fresh air. Victor and I are still at the ticket machine and before we can move the barrier is down again. The card will not work again as the system ‘knows’ that we have left the car park. I go round to the ‘in’ ramp but the machine refuses to issue another ticket. I return to the ‘out’ gate press the help button and wait, eventually a young man comes on the phone and we tell him that our card will not work. He states that as far as the computer is concerned we are not in the garage, thinking quickly I remembered that when we came in last Thursday we could not get the free cards to work and got a ticket by mistake. I tell the young man the story and he is very helpful and resets the computer and Victor and I go through the barrier (along side each other) and out to join Don who is wondering what happened to us. We head off to find the garage and then on to the start of the rally. 18
A man went to the zoo and started chatting up a cheetah. He was trying to pull a fast one.
In the meantime Andy is faced with the same problem, one card but 3 bikes. They have the same cunning plan, line up and pass through the barrier together. As the barrier rises this time it’s Phil who drops the clutch roars off up the ramp. Barrier back down again, Andy then goes back to the ‘in’ barrier, manages to get his bike and himself under the barrier uses the free card to open the barrier. He then returns to the ‘out’ ramp, opens the barrier with the card and Martin and Andy go through together. We all meet up at the square wherer the rally starts. We are one of the first to arrive but the marshals take one look at Martin's bike and ban him from the Square. He is asked to park outside in the road. Later in the morning he is asked to move his bike from the road into the square (they need the road for breakdown vehicle parking). Martin is then able to ride out at start with the rest of us. The rally is very enjoyable and we are now quite good at finding the signs, but on one occasion we are in a group of about 40 riders when the lead rider turns off into a park. We all follow go around a large fishing lake into a car park with no exit. We have made a mistake and much to amusement of the fishermen we have to turn round and ride back out again. The sign he followed was yellow but not the correct one, serves us right for following the leader and not thinking for ourselves. The lunch stop is the usual problem as there is only one chuck wagon and over 200 people to feed. We join the queue, its kebab, chips and a drink. The end of the rally is at the Motorcycle Hotel, which includes a Motorcycle Museum. We are allowed to park within the main garage. We win a couple of prizes in the raffle but no big cup this year. We leave to make our way back to the hotel, and Phil leads us onto to the motorway. We are not too happy as our top speeds are not great but it turns out to be a quick way back. We decide to park in the road as the underground car park is too traumatic for us. We are asked to move on from where we parked as we were encroaching on the payment, but suddenly a car moves and a space becomes available. We pile out of the hotel, grab the bikes run them up a one-way street the wrong way to the spot. All bikes parked and locked together. Monday turns to rain, rain and more rain. We are going to get In the Rally, somewhere in Belgium. very wet today. We set off determined to keep off the motorway until the very last moment when we will drop down by-passing Dunkirk centre and make for the ferry terminal. It starts off Okay. We are able to get the one bike left underground out without any problems and we soon leave Ostend. But Delia and the car are getting left behind with the trams giving my wife particular problems. Unfortunately the buddy buddy system we are using falls apart when the one in front of the car does not to stop and wait for Delia. At Nieuwpoort I decide to take the wrong exit on a roundabout head into the town centre and back out again and I am lucky to find the correct road out toward De Panne. We stop here for a break and to get out of the rain, the local restaurant/cafe we choose had a nice extension on the side and we are able to sit out of the rain. The rain is so constant that it is coming through the roof and dripping on us. We stay as long as we dare and set off towards Dunkirk. Once again the last person does not wait and the car and my wife are once again left behind. Up front I have no problem and find the way with ease. Delia has a satnav and finds her own way to the ferry terminal. We arrive at the Ferry Port only to discover two of the group have lost their tickets, more delays whilst this problem is sorted out. We head towards the terminal and take a well earned rest from the rain. The Crossing to Dover goes without a problem but we decided to make our own way to the hotel with the car using the satnav and Victor leading the bikes. We are soon off the ferry and making good time on the bikes but once we hit the hill out of Dover on the A20. My bike’s gearbox seizes and I am stuck in top gear. Have you ever tried to ride up a steep hill fully loaded and attempt to change down without success? Each attempt makes the bike slower and eventually I am forced to stop and reach down and wrench the gear lever up with my hand. The dramatic slowing on the hill hinders the riders behind even thought I give them clear indiFinal group meal in Ashford (Robert finished already!) cation to overtake me those following slow down and this causes a number of issues for other drivers. I restart and the bike changes gear with ease, now the red mist descends on me and I gun the bike up the hill and onto the M20 Motorway no stopping me now! The car is delayed in the docks and we are nearly at the junction to Ashford before they pass by. We all make the overnight stop and head out to same restaurant as on the outward journey and have a great meal together. Tuesday we are up early and take a lazy breakfast. I have to get the pump out of the car as my back tyre is looking soft. We now head out and retrace our steps back home. Victor is leading I am riding in front of the car and Martin is at the rear. We are making good time, have a little issue with the parking at the tea stop and with some of the signage on the way home. No one is going to be left behind today, all have been warned of the consequences if I or my wife get left behind. We all make it back without a problem no punctures, breakdowns, etc. My Francis Barnett with the new 250cc conversion gives over 90 mpg, covers over 500 miles, runs well and the gearbox gives no more problems.
I thought I’d push the boat out for Valentine’s Day. 19 So I bought my girlfriend a barge pole.
Members’ Ads Dispose of unwanted items, or collect more! Notes for Advertisers The BTSC prints member’s ads free of charge and in good faith. However, the Club cannot be held responsible for anything appearing in them and will not be involved in any disputes arising as a result of adverts. We regret that we cannot be responsible for the correct wording of advertisements. If posting photos please include your name, and some info, on the back. Send ads to the Editor: (Post:- Martin Green, 9 Ashdene Road, Ashurst, Southampton, Hants, SO40 7DS, Email:- [email protected]) by the date shown on the editorial page and quote your membership number (see magazine envelope address panel). Ads received after this date will be held over and placed in the following issue unless requested otherwise. Please also note that each advert is entered as a “one off”, we cannot run any members adverts on a continuous basis.
FOR SALE : New 14” Dunlop tyres, £35 pair (Dandy) Mob: Tony on 07793 117 679 (S Wales) Excelsior Consort, 1955, with V5 logbook and handbook. Ridden regularly over the past 3 years. Rebuilt Mk6F engine fitted. £1600.
Villiers Mk4F engine with cable and gear lever. £150.
various Weihnachstmärkte around Mannheim in December. Another possibility is delivery to Britain end of May 2018. I have planned to visit the hovershow in Lee-On-The-Solent (www.hovercraft-museum.org/whats-on), another event in Woodhall Spa and then travel around until Thu 31.05.2018. For further details Email: [email protected] or Tel: Rolf Männl on 49 179 940 6026. (Germany)
BSA Bantam B175, J Reg 1971, original red, paintwork and chrome in good condition, brought back to life after 10 years dry storage requiring a number of new items. Currently on SORN. Call or email for further information. £1500.
Tel: Bill on 01483 272 765 (Surrey), Email: [email protected] Villiers Workshop Manual and Spares List for 2T and 3T engines. Bit oily, but all there. Helped me keep my Greeves on the road. £5 including postage. Mob: Malcolm on 07811 614 923 (Bucks) Francis Barnett Plover, 150cc, approx 1958, documentation, unfinished project from deceased member, almost any offer likely to be accepted, buyer collects. Mob: Ken on 07517 341 885 (Hants) (Non-member) WANTED :
Tel: Les: 01420 84 586 (Hampshire). Archive Clearing! Due to space restrictions I have to part with some of my magazines -The Independent 1989 to today. -Yowl (the Scott Owners' Club journal) 1989 to 2000. -Today's Railways Europe at least 15 years. -Schweizer Eisenbahn Revue (German text) at least 15 years. And on top you get some copies of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics. Either collect the paper on your next visit to lovely Odenwald, Pfalz, Schwarzwald, Spessart, Rhein, Donau or other scenic places in Germany. Or combine this with a visit to 20
Excelsior F43, rear suspension springs or any information regarding size, etc. Autocycle / lightweight tyre 2.25 x 21. James Comet, 1952, rear wheel, must have good / usable sprocket. Tel: George on 0161 773 6094 (Manchester) and I will call you back. Email: [email protected]
Ambassador, 1953, 225cc H1, wants barrel, piston, head, rotar and stator. Mob: Ron on 07774 710 464 (Leeds)
No point trying to surprise my X-ray technician girlfriend on Valenine’s Day. She can always see right through me.
Wots On or Forthcoming Events Take part, meet fellow members, make new friends, or just turn up to see the bikes. Notes for Event Organisers Advise the Editor of your event several months in advance to give time for the publicity to be circulated and read. Mention the organising section, location (start of runs), start time, a contact name and number, and any other interesting bits, like run length, for charity, entry fee, Club display, etc. Editor contact details and critical date are on page 2. Inform the Club Events Co-ordinator (Eric Hathaway, 23 Finch Way, Narborough, Leicester, LE19 2TP. Tel: 01162 2750 532) of the event to ensure you are covered by the Club’s public liability insurance. Use a signing on/off sheet containing any disclaimers, members for the day conditions, etc. March 18th
Pioneer Run - Not a Club Event
June 3rd
Leicester Section - John Lee Memorial Run The Lady Jane, Coalville, Leics. Contact Eric on 0116 2750 532
29th 1st
BTSC National Rally and AGM: Blackmore Camping & Caravan site, No 2 Hanley Swan, Worceshire WR8 0EE. Contact Ken on 01905 455 527
April 8th
North Downs Section - Carbon Footprint Run Start at The Feathers, Merstham, 10 for 10:30 start. Contact Dave on 01883 623 049
15th
Mayor of Havant Classic Vehicle Event Not a Club Event
22nd
Lancs and Lakes Section - Meet at Beacon Fell visitor centre near Garstang, PR3 2. 11am, also with the LE Club. Contact Neil on 01253 730 666
July 22nd
Old Fossils Run - Not a Club Event
22nd
North Downs Section - Eddie Creighton Memorial Run. Contact Mick on 01798 812 383
21-22nd International Classic Bike Show and Autojumble - Club Display Staffordshire County Showground. Contact Eric on 0116 2750 532
4-5th
West Kent International - Not a Club Event
22nd
12th
Popham Megameet - Not a Club Event
12th
Leicester Section - Belvoir Run Venue to be arranged. Contact Eric on 0116 2750 532
West Surrey Section - Aniversary Run and Lunch. Contact Bill on 01483 272 765
22nd
Engineerium Run - Not a Club Event
29th
Leicester Section - Windmill Run Wymondham, Leics. Contact Eric on 0116 2750 532
August
September 23rd
Norman Club Day - Not a Club Event 10am-4pm, Willesborough Windmill. BTSC members welcome. Contact Gary on 01303 270 881 Email: [email protected]
23rd
North Downs Section - Run to the Sun Start at Godstone Ponds, 10 for 10:30 start. Contact Dave on 01883 623 049
30th
Leicester Section - Rutland Border Run Venue to be arranged. Contact Eric on 0116 2750 532
May 13th
19th
West Surrey Section - Surrey Hills Run Dorking Halls Car Park. Contact Bill on 01483 272 765 Southern Classic Bike Show - Club Display Kempton Park
19-20th MCN Festival of Motorcycling - Club Display East of England Arena - bikes wanted. Contact Ian on 07759 516 035 27th
Norman Day - Not a Club Event 10am-4pm, Willesborough Windmill. BTSC members welcome. Contact Gary on 01303 270 881 Email: [email protected]
Have you got a date for Valentine’s Day? Yes, February 14th.
October 7th
West Surrey Section - Red Neck Run Contact Bill on 01483 272 765
When answering trade ads please mention The BTSC and The Independent.
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THE LARGEST VILLIERS STOCK IN THE WORLD Every single part for every post war Villiers motorcycle engine in stock Our in-house while you wait/same day services now includes; Villiers crank building, re-bores for any engine, flywheel re-magnetising for 2/4 or 6 pole flywheel, ultra sonic cleaning, vapour / shot blasting. Our in-house service includes; Full engine rebuilds, inc. trials and scrambles preparation / tuning, sub assembly builds, short engines, carbs, magnetos, gearboxes, brake shoe relining for any vehicle. Motorcycle price £17.95 a pair including P+P. Other services we provide are; chroming, zinc plating and spraying to show-winning standards. We are sole distributers for the Electrix world Villiers electronic ignition,
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The British Two Stroke Club supports FBHVC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) The FBHVC monitors UK and EU legislation and lobbies on our behalf to protect our freedom to use vehicles of all ages and types The British Two Stroke Club is affiliated to the FBHVC