Ireland, France & Belgium Trip

Its funny how these things start off and just grow as time goes on., At last years Manx I was with Martin Connachy and some of the Irish lads and said in my drink fuelled state that I should make the trip over to visit the guys at their annual bash at Killmackilogue in the South West of Ireland. I was told that this was their version of Applecross but at least Applecross appears on most maps, Killmack doesn’t!

So as I researched Ferries to and from Ireland I was aware that the BBA meeting in Belgium (BOERDERIE BROMMER ASTERBANTIE) which loosely translated means “Farmyard, Bikes, chaos” was on the weekend after and that I could get a ferry from the port of Rosslare in the South East of Ireland to Cherbourg in France, the plan was hatched and time off work applied for.

I worked on the Thursday taking the Commando into the office early in the morning and then after work met up with Alex and Fiona who had the day off in Troon. We eat at a nice restaurant in Troon before boarding the ferry for Larne just after 8PM. We rolled off the ferry into a wet and dark Larne at around 10.30PM, our destination being Bernies (Martin’s sister in Law) in Newry near the North / South border. I led the way through the road works and diversions and as we approached Newry I waved Alex through to guide us to Bernies house. We got lost (not surprisingly) and had to call Bernie to come out and guide us in. A wonderful & welcome pot of tea revived the mind and after a while catching up we turned in. Bernie had to go early in the morning but had left us a magnificent cooked breakfast, excellent hospitality. Friday and we had the run down to Kilmac, Martin had given me a route via Dublin (Congested as hell) Limerick (Congested as hell) Killarney (Guess what?) and Kenmare before the short run along the peninsula to our destination, we arrived around five tired after the day spent dodging the traffic, a well deserved pint was quaffed before we even got into the Hotel. The bike had run well, giving no problem and coping with the traffic although my clutch hand was getting tired.

We had a ball over the weekend and my thanks to all the guy’s and lady’s who made us so welcome and ensured we had a great time, Saturday we never ventured far although Alex went out on the run, Sunday we had a great run around the peninsula with a couple of tea / beer stops at typically nice Irish pubs ( and including the famous McCarthys bar) and we experienced the Healey pass which was excellent fun, the Healey is the Irish equivalent of the Bealach! Monday and it was time to leave, with the bikes loaded we were on our way at 08.30 for a 4pm sailing at Rosslare (around 200 miles) The run was typical of any distance travelled in Ireland, fine if your not in a hurry or have to meet a deadline. Thanks to a shortcut offered to us by Tricia & John from Rosslare which involved a short ferry trip across a river and helped avoid Wexford we arrived at the ferry terminal at around 2pm, only to be told the ferry couldn’t get into port for high winds so was now in Dublin and would leave from there at 10.30 that night. After much cursing we set off on the 100 mile jaunt to Dublin and after some confusion arrived at the correct port at 5 ish. To say Irish Ferries are disorganised is an understatement, the words piss up and brewery’s spring to mind. We finally left port around 11.20 that night having been told we were no longer going to Cherbourg due to the seamen blockading the port but would be going to Rosscoff. This was turning into a magical mystery tour. We effectively lost a days holiday on board. Disembarking in Rosscoff at around 11.30pm the following night. Luckily I’d had the foresight to book into a hotel for that night. Wednesday and it was raining! We headed along the peninsula towards Rennes before turning south to St Nazaire, just after this I was running along, the sun shining, Norton purring along nicely when I suddenly was aware of red lights flashing and I realised it was a half barrier level crossing, braking hard I found myself with the front wheel toughing the track and the barrier closing behind me. I decided this was not a clever situation to be in so done a U turn to get myself on the right side of the barrier, literally seconds later a train went through at high speed, quite scary really. No more stress though for the next 36 hours as we lazed on the beach and enjoyed the sun. Friday we headed North, through Le Mans and the very busy Rouen (where I brewed up a cup of tea on the petrol stove in the Petrol station) before staying the night at the Municipal camp site at Amiens. We had cooked our own food for the 3 nights we were in France, buying provisions from the Supermarche’s we passed as we travelled, this meant we didn’t have to worry about finding a restaurant at night and it was quite pleasant to sit eating next to the tent & the bikes watching the sun go down.

The following day we were to meet Geert at Arras around 50 miles North, a nice run along some smaller roads before arriving at Arras, Arras is a pleasant town and I enjoyed our tea & cake in a delightful Café which had just opened that morning for business. We met Geert and set off on the small roads through this Northern part of France and into the Flemish region, stopping at a superb roadside restaurant for lunch, This part of Belgium is very nice, quiet and well worth a visit. Wee arrived at the BBA meeting at Waregem around 4pm, it was great to see the friends we normally see at the Begonia, the BBA guys & girls made us very welcome and it was probably one of the best meetings I’ve been to, the atmosphere was superb, the people friendly and the sheer variety & quality of bikes was excellent. We had a very jolly Saturday evening with the guy’s, Guy & Karin were over and helped get us very drunk. The Sunday was much the same and I really felt at home in this atmosphere. Unfortunately all good things come to an end and we bade farewell to Geert on the Sunday night as he had work on Monday. Sven, the owner of the place gave us the run of the place to ourselves on the Sunday night which was very good of him. Monday and the obligatory trip to Brugge to leak oil in the historic square and then back to get the Ferry from Zeebrugge to Rosyth. The trip was just over 1700 miles and the sum total of work on the Commando involved adjusting the chain in France and topping up with a pint of oil. For a bike over 30 years old it performed well, returning around 47 to the gallon and cruising around 80 on the main roads, testament to a great motorcycle. Apologies for not naming everyone but I met so many great people it would run to another sheet of A4, many thanks to all who made the trip so memorable.

MVD Problems

Just checking out MVD for an MOT after the rebuild it was apparent that the swing arm had excessive wear. There was much doom and despondency as I had a new Gearbox cradle in stock plus bushes & a pin and it was laziness on my part not replacing them. The play was from the gearbox cradle which is a weak spot on the pre MK3’s, when the Mk3’s came out Norton had realised this and fixed it with 2 cotter pins holding the swing arm pin in place. David Templeman passed me the details of fix made by an American in New Mexico, Heinz Kegler makes a split ring arrangement which after drilling the gearbox cradle there’s a screw which goes in and locks the pin, simple but ingenious. Heinz gives good clear instructions and as an addendum there’s a write up by a guy called Alan Goldwater who describes a slightly easier (less thorough but if done properly just as good) route.

Anyway Alex came along to give me a hand and we had the complete job (successfully done in under 3 hours) It appears to have done the job and reduced the slop in the swinging arm without the major surgery required to change the gearbox cradle. I would suggest it’s much easier if you have a bike bench especially if its got a plate to get the wheel out. If your bushes are worn this isn’t the fix but I suspect there’s many a Commando out there suffering from some wear in the cradle, Contact Heinz at heinz500gp@aol.com . well worth the $75 US.

National Rally July 25 – 28th

The date is looming closer, only a few small ends to sort out which include, sign posting, trophies & Finalising the runs. We have the Edinburgh Branch to help with the runs but these need to be agreed and finalised. Entries are coming in well and I’m hopeful of a good turnout.

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

June 2008