The countdown has begun

In less than 60 days, I'll be getting on a plane to make the trip back home and then up to Aberdoon for the Haggis Run.

To say I'm excited and anxious would be an understatement; I always enjoy returning home for obvious reasons such as seeing the family, old mates, seeing how things have changed and all the other stuff. But I'm  anxious due to a dislike of flying.

That in itself is a little ironic as I was in the Air Force and spent most of my time in overseas which involved a flight of some sort to get to the destination. Glutton for punisment maybe????

Anyway, I've gone over the packing of the bag several times to make sure everythings OK. It's a habit from the military of taking the immediate essentials with you.

Apart from the usual stuff like t-shirts and other clothes etc, riding gear such as a Barbour waxed cotton jacket and Belstaff pants and a helmet which are necessities, there's a couple of other things as well such as the digital camera for recording the Run, visits to the National Motorcyle Museum in Birmingham (NMM) and to RAF Welford near Newbury in Berkshire where I spent the first four years of my military life. There is one other thing that goes in the travel bag but that's a surprise for someone

RAF Welford was a fantabulous place to play, I mean, work at. Besides the actual work, we also chased rabbits that numbered in the thousands there, got up to mischief such as having forklift races, aand hiding from the bosses when we could.

The NMM is a place that I didn't get a chance to see last time, but this time I will. A few years back there was a terrible fire that damaged or destroyed some of the exhibits. For the most part they have been restored back to exhibition condition.

Kawa who has commented on here in the past has sent me some pictures from there via the 'net. Due to that I am making every effort to get to the NMM this time around to see the bikes that came from the once great British motorcycling industry. The BSA/Triumph Bandit/Fury, Slippery Sam, Triumph Quadrant and other machines.

While there I'll pick up a few of lifes necessities such as PG Tips, Shepards Pie mix, Cadburys chocolate and a few other bits and bobs. I'll also join the Grampian Classic Motorcycle Club while oop Norf.

So for now, the clock is ticking, but waaaaaaay to slowly for my liking.

Motorcycle clubs

Recently I decided to join the Vintage Motorcycle Club or the  VMCC.

This was done mainly so I could avail myself of their services such as researching the date a motorcycle was made and any records that may be on hand, technical advise by both marque specialists and general expertise, and also for the excellent worldwide information available such as the monthly club magaazine.

Normally I'm not a club joiner as I have a real dislike for "politics" and games played by individuals who try to make a name for themselves, have agendas that they want in effect or side taking over issues.

But from what I've seen to date, the VMCC is dedicated to the preservation and use of the old nails...sorry...old bikes that we ride and love and that's what I consider important as well.

There are a few clubs here in the local area, but they are the type that wear back patches and revolve around the lifestyle of the Wisconsin V-twins. Nothing wrong with these clubs and members, but just not what interests me personally.

The British Motorcycle Owners Association (BMOA) in Houston, Texas seems to be a good choice so I may have to check into them. For those in this State, Texas not confusion in case you're wondering, they're at http://www.bmoaonline.net/ I think. There should be  linky thing on the front page of the bloggy just in case. If I'm wrong on both counts, Google it. The BMOA is the mob that organizes the annual New Ulm Rallye in New Ulm which I've mentioned in a couple of postings.

There are a few clubs in Scotland that look like they are very good, judging by what I've read on the 'net. One is the Grampian Classic Motorcycle Club, GCMCC, http://www.gcmcc.co.uk/  which is in North East Scotland. They hold several runs, talks and special events throughout the year.

The other is the Scottish Classic Motorcycle Club, SCMC,
http://www.scottishclassicmotorcycleclub.moonfruit.com/ which has similar events as well as a very good 'net Forum.

The last is the Lothian and Borders Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Club if I got the full title correct. They're based down Edinburgh way and have a good following as well I believe. They sponsor a small classsic bike show with autojumble/swapmeet a the Drill Hall in Peebles in May. I went to this two years ago my first trip to Scotland and even though small, I liked it very much.

Anyways, the point to all this drivel and waffling....though I'm not much of a club joiner-inner, if I was ever to consider or was asked to join a club such as these, I believe I would as they all have very good members, activities/events, don't seem to have any of the politics nonsense mentioned earlier and all work towards the same goal, namely, mutual support and camaraderie.

So, with all this said, are you a member of a classic motorcycle club or not and for what reasons? Here's your chance to to voice your opinion.

Adios for now  

Catching up

Been a hectic past week...had July 4th weekend off, four days in a row, can't beat it with a stick,  Hurricane Alex out in the Gulf the other week that hit Mexico and is causing flooding along the border with the US and Mexico as well as Tropical Depression in th eGulf that's causing more rain.

In between these rained filled couple of days, it's been Africa HOT with high humidity to boot. For those who love saunas, that's how it felt these last few days.

In the last post I mentioned that Andy, he who owns this motorcycle consignment place on my mail route had gotten himself a 60s vintage H*nda and a BSA single. Have to check with either the the BSAOC or the VMCC as to what model the BSA is.

We're guessing it's a B40, possibly a SS90 version. If so Andy got himself a bargan at $275. Now he just has to rebuild it.

As I'm saving my hard earned ruppees, drachmas and various notes and coppers for the trip home and the Haggis Run in October, not to much has been happening at Thrash 'em Motorcycles as far as any spanner work on Vicky.

However, I had made a couple lists of parts needed for the rebuild as well as joining the VMCC in order to avail myself of the knowledge and expertise that they have if the need arises.

Now it's time to get back to the catching up part.

Until the next time........