Summer ? Still waiting!

Well so far the summer hasn’t lived up to summer expectations, George reports that his trip with Sandy & the lads to the south of France for a Guzzi Rally was good and was blessed with sunshine. Hopefully the only way we can get some heat isn’t to go abroad all the time! Had a few runs ? camping trips lately all Commando mounted. I’ve been shaking down both Interstates to make a final decision on what bike to take on the 3 week Euro trip in August, so far MVD is in the frame. Still having problems with the carburetion (It’s still using too much petrol) and I’ve made several mods to try to fix it. George is (hopefully ) making up new cables for the SU carb and with the price of petrol I’m sorely tempted to put it on for the trip.

Had an excellent night at Ardnamurchan at a rough camping spot next to the loch a couple of weeks ago, probably enough room for 5 or 6 tents and worth keeping in mind for a club camping weekend. No pub or café’s nearby so it’s bring and cook your own which is quite satisfying. Gathering wood for the fire I got bitten with an unknown insect which swelled my hand up to double it’s normal size, a complete pain and just made motorcycling even more difficult!

As part of the Scottish Classic Club I attended the celebrations at Beveridge park a couple of weeks ago. The event was over two days but the SCMC had a stand on the Sunday. Bikes all polished and ready to go, the rain was tipping it down and it never stopped except for a 90 minute respite all day. I was under double pressure as Fiona took the JPN along so two Norton’s in hellish conditions equals at least double stress. We came through it fine and it’s a shame the rain gods didn’t smile on us! One of the guy’s, Eric from Arbroath dropped his A10 on a roundabout in Kirkcaldy just to underline how slippery it was, luckily neither were badly damaged!

A poor turnout from both spectators & exhibitors on the Sunday but good crack none the less. I had a wander round the track and allowed myself a reminisce of the good days spent racing there (as well as pointing out where I’d had crashes!)

By half three we had all had enough so a very wet & soggy band made their respective ways home! Dave T had the prospect of a slightly? Longer trip back over to the West so full marks to him for making the effort

The mighty Nortons on Show!

National Rally

The date is looming closer, only a week to go!

I think that pretty much everything is under control and thanks to all who helped tie up the last few bits & pieces since the last meeting.

George & I are going down next Wednesday to put up the signs (Thanks to JD for organising them) and generally set things up.

Phil has the trophies in hand, we now have the badges & T shirts to hand also.

I met with the Edinburgh guy’s at their meeting on the first Monday of the month and ran through the runs with them. There are 4 runs, 2 on the Saturday and 2 on the Sunday,

Run 1 Saturday Starting at 11 (Short 50 miles) Aberfoyle, Dukes Pass Callander)

Run 2 Saturday Starting at 10

(Long 100 miles) Yetts o Muckart Glendevon, Comrie, Lochearnhead with lunch stop at Clachan Hotel. Balquidder (visit to Rob Roy’s grave) Callander,

I’m intending pasting up route maps and basically the onus will be on the participants to get themselves around, it IS NOT a guided tour. I’ll have a word with the guy’s just before the off to explain this. Volunteers please stand forward (bring a reflective vest!)

Sunday Run 1 is to the Falkirk wheel (Short) possibly 11 am start

Sunday Run 2 is Long 110 miles via Balloch, Tarbet, Crainlarich, Glen Ogle, Callander

This needs to be a 10am start I think.

The plan is to post the runs with a list to add your name if interested so that we don’t waste effort if nobody is interested

I’ve tried again to make contact with the Highland re enactment guy’s for a demo from 4 – 5 on the Saturday but still waiting on a E mail.

The disco will be on site Friday night hopefully but only play Sat / Sun

The Band is hopefully organised for the Saturday

Prize giving will be on Saturday night before the band starts

Phil picked up security tags at Norton Day for use at the Rally

Meals will be available in the Clubhouse from 5 on Fri until it gets quiet

Breakfast Saturday

Sat Night 5 – 8

Breakfast Sunday

Sunday Night 5 – 8

Breakfast Monday

The Rugby Club have arranged for extra cleaning of the bogs / showers in the afternoons so that should keep things up to scratch

So far we have around 100 pre booked so looking to double that on the day (We need to have around 180 and sell the same number of T shirts to break even)

Lets make it another Rally that people won’t forget!

More Drivel

I was at Applecross last weekend to celebrate the start of my retirement, after 34 years of working they finally found me out and gave me the opportunity to leave.

I took MVD up to see how it fared against WAA which I had at Ardnamurchan previously. The first thing you notice is that the MK3 is noticeably heavier and not as perky, possibly down to the lower compression ratio on the later bike (probably so the starter might have some chance of turning the motor over) Both are set up similarly with Boyer & single Mikuni’s. The Mk3 seems to handle better or at least feel more planted on the road but that could be because MVD has wobbled since the first day I rode it, several theories exist for this including the front brake mounting left / right / behind / in front of the calliper leg affect this. Anyway MVD is winning by a short head at the moment, need another couple of runs to decide which bike to put fresh tyres on for the trip. That’s the problem if you have more than one bike, you have to make a choice and as several years in management have taught me decisions don’t come easy!

Whilst I was up in Applecross I met a guy called Peter on a very nice 1960 Dommi touring Scotland all the way from Crawley and on his own which I thought was impressive, transpires he’d already been in Applecross on a pre war side valve 250 BSA which is even more impressive! Get these bikes out and use them!

The Small Print

The views and opinions contained within this publication are not necessarily those of the NOC or of the branch but are probably mine as I wrote it.

No one accepts any responsibility for anything, if you have a good time don't say I didn't warn you.

Gino Rondelli

July 2008