International Beckons

Well I’m writing this just over a week before I leave for the International in Spain which I’m looking forward to. Our plan is to ride down the centre of France, through the Pyrenees to Barcelona and get the ferry to Ibiza to meet up with our mad French Norton Ibiza resident Lolo, I called him a couple of weeks ago and he was just finished the first practice for the sidecar TT in the Isle of man, in the race him and his rider (Lolo’s the crazy one who hangs out of the outfit on the corners) finished 18^th which is very respectable, unfortunately the engine failed halfway through the second race on the mountain section. After a relaxing few days in Ibiza we plan to return to Barcelona and make our way to the rally where we can hopefully meet up with most of you. After the Rally a leisurely week travelling back up the coast of France before getting the ferry back to Hull from Zeebrugge on the Saturday. Hopefully we’ll see some sunshine on the way, France has been getting some thunderstorms this week so hopefully it’ll just be dry and hot from now on.

I’ve got the bike ready, I don’t know about you but even after checking everything many times and going over the bike just before a big trip there’s always a nagging worry that you have either forgotten something or will forget an essential spare. That brings me on to what to take with regard to tools and spares, the risk takers amongst you will no doubt leave with a Swiss army knife, some insulating tape and a credit card and mobile phone as backup and the rest will be anything up to a full toolkit, gaskets, bearings, electrical components, wire, nuts and bolts. I tend to fall into the latter category only because despite having breakdown insurance I always think it would be a right pain in the ass if your bike had to get taken home for you whilst you travelled by hire car, maybe not so bad at the end of a trip (as David’s exploding Norton outside Munich last year let him experience) but I keep dreading anything happening before the rally. Anyway, hopefully I haven’t inflicted any doubt on you all and I’m sure we’ll all get there without drama!

Just to get you in the mood remember the song Y viva Espania? Here’s the chorus to keep you going as you thunder towards the Picos

Oh this year i'm off to Sunny Spain Y Viva Espana

I'm taking the Norton Commando again Y Viva Espana

If you'd like to chat a matador, in some cool cabana

And meet senoritas by the score, Espana por favour

Latest 961 news

So Richards Berks from the Norton forum has got his and after an enthusiastic write up about on after he got it home (very few miles) he hasn’t uttered a word other than to ask if any other owners would like to “share notes” The one that’s in Scotland has been fixed by the factory and the owner has decided to put it up for sale with 18 miles on it! Still not heard a positive report from anyone who’s done a decent mileage on one yet so come on guys don’t just keep them in your garages and jewellers shops, get out there and ride them and let us know what its like

National Rally

Phil attended the rally as the sole Tay Valley representative and reported a good weekend, criticism was that the entertainment was the holiday camp entertainment so a fat bird who looked like (or maybe was) a transsexual singing and a comedian was the highlight on Saturday night! Surely the demographics of the club haven’t reached the stage where we are reduced to pipe and slippers for a Saturday evening! Phil’s chain broke on the way home just outside Birmingham and was rescued (very efficiently I believe) by his Footman James insurance to Len Vale Onslow’s shop in the heart of Birmingham on the Sunday morning where he managed to buy and fit another chain to get him home. Guy Boffe was also there with his wife Karin and he sent me a text to say that a guy had turned up on a new 961 but it fell over on the gravel……ouch! Maybe the first one on its side? Dave Palmer was also there with his new trailer fitted to the back of his Commando. I spoke to him last week and he was intending going up to John o Groats first (The most Northerly point in the UK) before heading down to give the new outfit a good test before heading to Spain, maybe he’ll write a few words on it for me? Campbell from Aberdeen picked up the long distance so well done there.

For Sale

Ian Corsar is selling one of his Commando’s :

I would like to sell my 1973 MK 1 850 Commando, the one that I bought from Alan Kroesen in 1998, it is currently in Roadster trim, new peashooter silencer, new seat, Boyer micro digital electronic ignition, alloy rims, I will fully service it shortly and put a new M.O.T. on it, please find attached a photo of the machine (e mail myself or Ian for it) cash only,no swaps for plasma tv's, pet donkeys, worn out wives etc and no silly offers of 50p and a pile of washers, offers relative to market value, look on ebay. Ians E mail is ic1340@hotmail.co.uk

(Its on Ebay just now as a classified ad at 4K )

Heid o the Glen Rally last month was good although still a bit cold, a few Classics and a total of 6 Nortons turned up also. It was a fine laid back weekend with plenty alcohol (too much in my case) but then as the wind and rain came in on the Sunday, MVD decided to play up so Alex and I spent an hour in the pouring rain fixing it whilst Fiona took pictures! Fi won the longest distance Classic with 90 miles on a Mk3 Commando. Some very interesting sidecar outfits in attendance, worth a visit the next time its run

Events

Spain (very soon)

NOC Summer party and Norton day Hunstanton 14/15 August

Don’t forget the Begonia Rally, Vifwegen near Staden 27^th – 30^th August, please let me know soon if you are intending going, the more that go the cheaper it is on the ferry.

Our very own Camping weekend 10^th – 12^th September in Braemar, entertainment on the Saturday night, run out Saturday, good weather, good beer and good company, be there or be square. Contact George if you are coming (to help us with the arrangements, its better if we have a clue who’s coming!)

Future Events

International Rally next year (2011) USA

2012 (hopefully) Denmark

And well done to Geoff Scales and the French NOC for asking to host 2013! Always a pleasure to visit our French friends!

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 2010