First bikes

While flipping pages in an older copy of a classic bike fishwrap aka a magazine, one of the writers/contributors waxed nostalgic about the very first bike that he had ever owned. Seems that the bike he lusted after as a spotty faced (I assume) oik was a fast but small Japanese import that he couldn't possibly afford so he set his sights in another direction. Plan B involved the unthinkable.....buying a motorcycle without giving it a road test, checking if it was mechanically sound and the worst sin of all, seeing it in less than favorable lighted conditions, eg at night. Youngfellamelad, by not observing these basic rules bought himself a wee Triumph Tiger Cub that was in less than ideal nick. Anyway, long story short, there was a love/hate relationship going on more-or-less and he finally ended up geting rid of it for something that actually worked. Which got me to thinking about my first bikes; as a learner I was restricted to a 250cc or below. In the early 70s small British bikes of that size were far and few in between in the local area so Bodger went to Trinder Brothers in Banbury and got on Hire Purchase a used 74 Honda CB250K4 model

This was an OK bikee for a learner; it allowed me to get about to work, into town on Saturdays and hangabout at the Cross and the big one, it got me to the 76 TT and back in one piece. Later on, in 77, Bodger came across a deal that was hard to resist and that he just had to have it. This thing of beauty was a 59 Triumph 5TA 500 that had been set up as a road going scrambles bike. This bike had a tiny front light, megaphone mufflers, Ceriani forks, Petty front fendeer/mudguard, a bulb horn which was legal back then and it leaked enough oil to keep Red Adair in business for quite a while. Luck was on my side as whereas it took an act of god to get even a run of the mill part for a 3 y/o Honda, I could go to Frettons in Leamington Spa and get new barrels, pistons and rings in one visit and still have money left over from 100quid. It was eventually flogged off to a mate when it decided that it had suicidal tendencies and wanted to self destruct. Alas (and luckily) there are no pictures of this fine steed. Next in line came my favorite, a 77 Norton 850 Commando Roadster MKIII, electric start model. This was bought brand new at Gus Kuhns in Clapham, London. The only things that went wrong with it were the wires in the headlight shorting out once, a bolt that went through a bracket into the bottom of the oil tank causing the area around the bolt hole to crack and an oil leak to ensue, a quick weld and good as new. Also, the electric start motor decided to give up the ghost but as I hardly used it that was OK and lastly a wee electronic black box gizmo went belly up while on the M4 near Newbury but was easily replaced from stock courtesy of Andover Norton. The Norton was shipped to Baltimore, Maryland upon Bodgers return back to his homeland. It was ridden from there to Hampton, Virginia and then put into storage for 2 years due to military reassignment to South Korea. Due to other miltary moves, the Roadster was regrettably sold on

After an absence of riding for several years, the next bike in the stable was a 2003 HD FXD Dyna Suoer Glide. It got me to work and back, and did what I wanted it to do. But as it was a Harley, that's a that was asked of it. As Bodger isn't into the "lifetstyle", it was sold on as well last year.

And lastly, Bodgers latest, this century that is, additions to the stable, a 68 BSA B25 Starfire and a 69 BSA B44 Victor Special.

The Starfire you can see in the above picture and a Victor Special is in several pieces so no pictures of that one in a complete state, but here's what it will look like sometime this century

The VS was purchased in a state of basketcaseiness with LOADS of parts missing and if you've been reading any of the previously posted drivel, you'll see that parts are in the process of being got from various sources and once about 95-99% are in, then work on a total rebuild will begin. As part of this Bloggy thing is to do with the restoring of old decrepit piles of scrap metal, if you check in periodically you'll see what, if any, progress has been made. Now that I've bored you with my hisory of personal rides, howzabout letting Bodger hearing about yours.

Vintage Scrambles - Grandstand

Here's a clip of some vintage scrambles with some of the greats of yesteryear taking part. You can hear who they are at the beginning. Though Bodger never watched on the boobtube, BBC used to show scrambles every Saturday on the TV and apparently there was quite a following there as well as at the events themselves.

SOS Motorcycles

It was decided by the works committee (Bodger to be precise) that some type of work needed to be at least attempted on Vicky other than gathering parts for her.

So, without fanfare or adieu, the bottom part of the huge paperweight known commonly as the engine casings was taken up to SOS Motorcycles on the North East side of town and coincidently, situated right behind the Milwaukee tractor sales shop aka Cowboy Harley Davidson.

Due to work being done at present on other forms of two wheeled conveyances, the lower half was left with Stu the owner of SOS to have the cases split.

This is being done in order to 1) have a proper look inside to make sure all is well, 2) have the crank out so the sludge trap can be cleaned out, 3) clean the insides up aand lastly, so all new bearings and seals can be put in.

SOS Cycls is one of those small Olde Worlde motorcycle places that looks at first glance like the Black Hole of Calcutta and is filled inside and out with a selection of British bikes, namely Triumphs though a few Nortons have been spotted and a few from the Orient.

The insides looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years and probably hasn't meaning it will NEVER be mistaken for an antisepctically clean and tidy HD boutique.

As Bodger didn't remember to take the trusty (when it's working) digi camera, a few pics from the iPhone were taken.

See for yourself:

If you look real close, there's a gate in the picture of the hardtail bobber (the bottom picture that is); that and the buildings there are part of Cowboys HD. But no pictures from there in this posting.

It's nice that there is a place that can work on these old machines without a blank look on the face if you mention the words "Whitworth", "British", "AMAL" "Zenor diode" or any other words that are hardly heard in this part of the world.

Anyways, next week providing there's no difficulties, and there shouldn't be, I'll be picking up the split cases from Stu and having a look see what needs to be done besides, bearings and seals and a good cleaning inside the casings.

And the good thing about being by my lonesome, other than one roving alarm, is that I can use the dishwasher or the stove without any ANY recriminations.

Until then..........