Strange sights

Theres not been much doing here at Casa Cambeul and Thrash 'em Motorcycles of late. However while out and about doing things I came across two things that caught my eye that have to be shared.

The first, I unfortunately have no pictures of as I didn't want the subject to know I was taking a picture but imagine this in your mind if you can;

I was getting a new pair of glasses made and was told that it would be a few hours before they would be ready. So instead of home, which is 15 miles away, I went to the local Home Depot DIY place and nosed around. After getting there I had to answer a nature call so went off in the direction of the WC.

Just before entering, I spy a bloke who was loading some building materials onto a cart. OK you say, it is a DIY place after all?  Well my dear, and I'm no follower of fashion, I see this geezer wearing a black Stetson cowboy hat, a long sleeved t-shirt, and cowboy boots with spurs.

Now you're thinking 'So what, you're in south Texas after all.' He was also wearing a pair of SHORTS along with the rest of his attire. Not quite what you'd see a "cowboy" wearing now is it????

The other thing was something I saw a couple of days ago at the supermarket. I had to stop in and get some food for the three alarm systems I have...the dags.



As I walked through the doors I saw the following:

Looks like a modern take on SFBs wee Ariel 3.

And how's that coming along SFB?

Anyway, either tomorrow or Saturday there'll be an update to work onVicky, plus a mention about a classic bike mag here in the US.

Until then....

Terminology

While reading The Gorgeous Bikeer Chick's (GBC) Blog recently, I saw a question asked in one  of the comments that seems a little daft, but then when you think about it, maybe not.

"Hairy Larry" who hails from Sacremento in that strange land known as California asked what a "numpty" was and brings up the reason for this line of nonsense for today.

Someone once commented that the US and Great Britain has a shared culture that is divided by a common language.

So to help with TransAtlantic communications, here's a quick guide to English/US word usage and what they mean, more or less:

Numpty-pin or airhead, fool, idiot
Prat-see above
Midge-similar to a gnat
Bitsa-a bike or other object that has been assembled from various unassocciated parts, eg parts from
        different motorcycles added to a BSA
SMIDSY-Sorry mate I didn't see you..said by the numpty who pulls out in front of you causing an accident.
Chav-those who drive around in little street racing cars acting like boy racers. Also dress different that most
          people
Knackered- tired, exhausted, worn  out, trashed or broken
Shagged-see above
Club run-similar to a US poker run, but for actual club members without the "poker" game
Autojumble-swap meet
Petrol-gas (most know this but thrown in anyway)
Gaffer tape-duct tape
Mole grips-vise grips
Lump hammer-small sledge hammer
Tyres-tires
Motorway-Interstate
Bodge-to jury rig, improvise
Chips-french fries
Crisps-potato chips
Roundabout-traffic circle
Zebra crossing-pedestrian crossing/crosswalk
Scrambles-motocross
Gudgeon pin-wrist or piston pin
Silencer-muffler
Mudguard-fender
Car boot- trunk
Car bonnet-hood
Windscreen-windshield
"Zed"-"Zee"
Spanner-wrench
Parts factor-parts stockist

There's more to the list, but you get the idea. To help you with your lessons, read Classic Bike, The Classic Motorcycle, Real Classic, Classic Bike Guide magazines,  Classic Motorbikes.net forum, North Staffs Exhaust Notes forum, GBCs blog,  and as well as this drivel.

By the by, speaking of magazines, which ones do you favor and which ones are only fit for using as fish wrap and yes, I do want to know your thoughts on this.

Have a dry, warm and safe day out there me dearios. (Guess who used that catch phrase!)

Coming apart

Today I spent a while in the shed taking parts off Vicky in order to get her down to nothing at all.

Started with a slight tug on the forks and they came out of the headstock with no problem. All the bearings went hither and yon but that's OK as there's a bearing place that I can got them for about 5 cents each, or less than a US fiver for the upper and lower races.

However getting the stanchions out of the lower yokes is going to take longer as they seem to be frozen or rusted in place. More of the penetrating fluid I think is in order.

All the rest of the bits from the front end to came off with no problem, to include the tool box and the oil tank. Just as well as there isn't that much in those areas anyway.

The tool box as a small bracket that the weld as broken slightly and I think I may leave it as is as a sort of "battle scar". Other than that, it's in good shape.

Also have the rear fender/mudguard and wheel out. If I can't find a fender in good shpae, I'll see what can be done to this one.

Other than that, so far so good.

Been doing some reading

The other day I received a package from home containing a load of old Classic Bike (CB) magazines and as today was my day off and with it being a wet, miserable day I decided to have a gander at them and the old articles.

I subscribe to CB at present and though it is a good mag, I at times find it a bit lacking compared to say Classic Bike Guide (CBG) or even The Classic Motorcycle (TCM) as far as the content of articles.

A case in point is that compared to today, the articles in the older copies spanned a few pages whereas today's articles cover a page or two depending on the sbject.

I've noticed that the articles on how to do your own painting, set timing, electrics etc in the older rags seem to go a lot more in depth while todays features seem to skim over things.

Perhaps as there is a vast "industry" set up for classics now, it's easier for those who are strapped for time or space to do their own work, while back in the old days, a person was more inclined to do it themselves.

And perhaps that is a bad thing as nowadays, people such as myself aren't to savvy on things they really should be. I admit right here and now that I can't set up timing to, know SFA about electrickery, and can't  tear an engine apart. But from reading some of these old articles, I'll come away with a better undertanding for when I do.

I mentioned CBG at the start and due to what I've been seeing of late with the Triumph Thunderbird, some of the "How to..." articles and just things in general, I may have to look into getting a subscription to that magazine in the near future. Will continue to to get CB though for the Tech articles advice/knowledge from Rick P.

But it is good what you can learn from the past tht can help you with work of today.