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Welcome To My Ramblings.

 

Hello,

If you're here for technical advice. Leave Now. You've found or been directed to the ramblings of a middle-aged biker that over the years has  broken thousands of parts.

I am self taught, often learning to repair my bikes by watching like minded idiots on YouTube.

Goodness knows what the visiting Japanese thought of the British Motorcycle factories of the 50's. Only to absoloutely beat us to death with their innovation 15 years later, as factory after factory closed and British Motorcycles became a thing of the past.

Sure, Today you can still buy Motorcycles branded Triumph, Norton, and more recently BSA. Many of us are pleased to see their names again. But their not the same machines of yesterday.

Like most lads my first ride was to get me to college. My parents helped me with my first commuter motorcycle. A Yamaha RD200DX. How many reading this drivel can remember the iconic smell and sound of an RD racing a Suzuki X7. or the likes ? Our fast two strokes would often leave larger four strokes sat in our clouds of two stroke oil.

Time moves on.

Over the years I have moved from fast two strokes, moving onto Modern Triumphs, and touring Europe on my Sprint ST 1050, and my Thunderbird 1600.  Having suffered a stroke, I found solice in rehabilitation by rebuilding my first british classic. A BSA Bantam.

As the years moved slowly forward, I took the conscious decision to move away from modern motorcycles.  

I currently own several classics. For me one of the most wonderful thing about motorcycling is that it is gender / faith / and politically agnostic.

Once you don a helmet, it matters not your faith, sex or colour, and in this crazy world that is so quick to judge someone who they call god, or whom they love. Jumping on a bike with a mate is the best way to relax and allows only one thing. Focus on the road.

Once stopped, we often share a giggle and a pint with someone who understands what it means to treat everyone equal and share the bond that is motorcycling. 

Over the years I have travelled all roads to Rome. Exploring the Battlefields of Europe, often alone or with friends who share my love of the smooth tarmac, and some history.

Very Recently ( July 2022 ) I have started touring locally on my T140, with Craven Panniers fitted. My first attempt was challenging, as I opted to go camping. Never again. However the bike once fitted with panniers attracted some comments and interest. 

My favourite roads are those that lead to a coffee shop, or if I am stopping the night a Pub that offers bed and breakfast.

My favourite road has to the be Stelvio, approached from the Swiss side of the pass. Having travelled extensively I havent had great experiences with the French or the Swiss. France, for me outside the major town is easily confused as a third world country. Swiss people ( Not their country ) are in my opinion the most racist people I have ever met. This makes me extremley uncomfortable.

However, I like nothing more than sharing a beer and stories with the Germans, Italians and Belgium Bikers. For me they get the passion about biking. For no matter how long or lonely the roads are heading south we all seem to end up at the same filling stations and l talking about  Motorcycling. 

Whilst I own famous Brands such as Norton, Triumph, and BSA  my favourite bike is the cheapest bike I've ever bought. Whilst out buying my T140e I spotted the rear of an unknown bike. Turned out to be a 59 BSA C15. She's called Dripster.

It's certainly been challenging keeping "Dripster" on the road. But I love her dearly. 

Whilst CoVid has been a terrible time for many, it has offered me the time to study and take on challenges that I would have walked away from. Until Covid, I had pretty much limited myself to maintaining and rebuilding two-stroke motorcycles. Typically BSA Bantams. I was confident enough to seperate the crankcases, and rebuild gearboxes, and cranks. Electrically I have made my own looms and upgraded nearly all my bikes to electronic ignition, Bones, Boyer and Pazon.

with Covid came challenges around an increased time at home and in the Garage, and time to study and watch social media videos of people rebuilding four-stroke engines. My 59 BSA had when COVID struck been sat on the workshop lift requiring a top-end and gearbox rebuild. With parts easily available and relatively cheap I took the decision to give the rebuild a go myself. You can see the outcome on the links on the left. 

Through Motorcycling I have a significant social media presence, on all major platforms. My belief is that one only gets out what one puts in. My questions asked and actioned may help others dip their toe into Classic Motorcycles. I am happy for anyone to reach out to me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. If I can't help you, then I will hopefully know someone who will. 

So, have a poke around, and feel the vibe that still gives me a buzz more than 35yrs on. 

Cloughie 

x

 My 69 Norton JPN Painted Fastback. 
 

Once the weather in the UK allows I am riding one of my bikes nearly every evening. Typically r riding with my wingman locally.

You can use the contact form on this website to contact me. I welcome all correspondence from friends old and new. I believe strangers are merely friends that I have not yet been introduced to. 

One may question my logic, owning several far more expensive machines, my goto Motorcycle was bought whilst I was buying my T140, It's a 1959 MK1 C15 Star. It struggles to hold oil, and it is on my list to rebuild the engine in the summer of 2022.

To read more and see my current portfolio of machines. Simply click on the link.