Saturday, 21 March 2020

March 2020 News






March 2020 News.




I am normally not short of ideas when it comes to titles but this one is a bit lame and I apologies for that. Keeping it simple has been a problem with a Trojan messing up things on my PC and more than one virus going around that is keeping me out of circulation, albeit self enforced nothing much is happening for me in the outside world. It is coming to me via the internet that is playing up due to over usage never before admitted to but very apparent as I tried to buy some polyguard vinyl gloves   as I was getting low and about to use more on my next mini project of stripping and refurbishing an elderly 2CV engine with heavy flywheel for use in the van. In doing so I have managed to do something stupid to my left foot that has left me hobbling in pain. This had ensured I stay put and not go anywhere that could put me and my wife at risk of the dreaded Lemonade virus. Corona made lemonade in the 50’s and 60’s and was a very popular brand. Not sure what they are called now or is it a Mexican beer? I have been in for a week already and my brain is starting to degrade from overload of news of few things that are good. I did have a good read with Mark Holmes Rebirth that records his travel around the world on a Triumph Rocket 3 and how that journey changed his life. He started as a widower that prompted his travel and came back a married man and a new life. 


I first met Mark at the London Motorcycle Museum when he turned up to pay us a visit. He said he was going to start in a few weeks. This was from the Ace Cafe  and I advised him that if he got to India in August/September time he would get very wet. Monsoon time. Leaving a couple of months later would see him in the dry season and be able to be part of the Goan Biker Mania that is held in November. He writes a nice story and I received a book from him when we met at the London Bike Show in February. The MAG Road magazine had published his, very much abridged version just before Christmas and I was able to supply him a copy of his article. 
Other news is not so good. I have just received the latest BMCT News (British Motorcycle Charitable Trust) and was surprised that Colin Seely had passed away in January. Colin was a keen racer successful  in the sidecar racing arena. When he retired fro racing he turned his talents to making sidecar outfits and special frames for many motorcycles among them Norton, Matchless, AJS, BSA, Velocette, Yamaha, Suzuki and anyone who wanted something special. Have I missed anyone? I met Colin at the opening of the Minter Cafe at the Museum in 2017 when he introduced the new facility. He was a good friend of Bill Crosby who ran the museum until recently. Bill was in good health the last time I saw him in late February.


Colin talking to Ian Kerr.

 I’m staring at my foot looking for inspiration as I wait for a new ignition switch for the Buell to arrive from Twin in Belgium. I’ve had to buy some of those “secure” Torq sockets to do the job. Ordinary Torq’s do not have recess to accommodate the pimple in the head of the bolt so you need a special one for the job. I don’t know why manufacturers have to make life so complicated, Allen bolts would have sufficed. I wait for the new switch to have another challenge.






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