Someone found us.

I had forgotten all about this blog. I think it was an attempt to wean people of Facebook (which I loathe with a passion) and share club news. It has been defunct since 2009, when I get an email from an old member from the 80's wanting to resurrect contact. Excellent. We hope to see Mark Taylor on Friday.

It is interesting to read my old posts. Maybe I'll keep it up if only to please myself. Well, the trusty Velo has gone. This is the second time I have sold a Velocette,  I really don't learn do I? The present stable consists of a 2011 Triumph Tiger 800, which is a truly excellent bike except that Triumph still seem unable to make forks where the oil seals last more that 2 or 3 years.

 Next is a 1951 AJS Model 16MS. Very original in oily rag condition, most of the chrome either painted black or in silver Hammerite, you know the look. I'll keep it like that. I have a soft spot for all this old Plumstead stuff. Since doing my grand Iberian tour on a very tired G9 I have a lot of respect for these solid dependable motorcycles. Currently the magneto is away being rewound, which means no plonking around on the AJ until it comes back, which might be months. The Magneto Guys in Sussex are very very good but very very busy. In far away Portugal at the house www.casalaranjeira.co.uk is the Empire Made Enfield circa 2000. Finish quality is pretty dubious but a good solid Brit single with decent electrics and no oil leaks! I enjoy it and the power from the 500 engine is quite decent. Brakes are very authentic 50s.

Then of course there are the cars. Good job I haven't got Alan Clark's money otherwise I would probably blow tens of thousands like he did. The '65 Midget did well this summer taking Jo & I to Portugal. Bit of an oil leak from the timing case which meant a daily pint top up. Lost the keys in Spain so had to hotwire all the way home. It was not a great buy this Midget, being pretty tired in many areas but perseverance has delivered a reliable little car and at least it is bodily sound and they are such fun to drive. The clonky diff is getting irritating so I hope to treat it to a new one this winter. While I think of it, lets remember the spring washer drama. Air cleaner bolt comes loose, engine swallows spring washer. Consequence a lot of horrible noises and a completely f***ed piston. Luckily the bore was undamaged, as were the valves apart from a bit of dinging. Drop the sump, undo conrod, push piston out the top. Fit new one and re-assemble. Did it in a long morning. How good is that!, then off to Portugal in it.

Lastly the newest acquisition; the Series IIA Landie. Bought blind at auction over the internet. It needed a new clutch and the brakes sorting. I did the clutch and let Central Garage do the brakes. Seems to be running well now. The engine seems particularly good. I think it is an old MoD unit fitted probably quite recently.