There is an annual Scottish Games event 100 miles away from me & one of its members is a BSA nut, so he includes an all British ride-in to the event every year. Ther have been years with over 50 British motorcycles in attendance.
This event is in Wellington, Ohio U.S.A., here is my story................
Photos of some of the bikes:
2014 Scottish Games Photos by skipsoldbikes on Photobucket
2014 Scottish Games Photos by skipsoldbikes on Photobu...
Scottish games motorcycle club event at the 2014 Scottish games held at the Lorain County Fairgrounds June 28th
Preview by Yahoo
I saw Don Calvert as soon as I arrived with his white Commando, saw a nice black e-start 850 in original, un-restored condition with the original owner. A semi-custom hi-rider, a seemingly original paint (faded) tangerine commando, & lots of other very cool bikes (see pics).
I decided not to do any freeway miles there, or back, so I clocked in 200 miles on the '57 Norton model 77 on Saturday. Part way home I lost a little power on the top end & started to hear ticking sounds (like valve noise). Stopped for fuel & found my oil was low. I suppose the long trip and 90 plus degrees Fahrenheit temps were unkind to the poor beast. I think the loss of power was due to the fuel in the carbs boiling. I do not have the insulating spacer between my carb & manifold. I will order one & install it. Topped off the oil, the one kick wonder fired right up & off I went. From that point on I was riding on shaded roads, & the earlier power loss went away. Stopped in Chardon Ohio & met up with my wife at a cool little Bistro on the square for dinner, then a 15 minute ride home from there. Still have a slight ticking sound to look into, my posterior is wishing I upgraded the seat with a gel insert, but all in all a great day of riding 
Several of us were discussing reinvigorating the Norton/Brit bike scene in Northern Ohio. My local Brit bike shop is overflowing with owners bikes, so I know there are tons of vintage Brit bikes up here. I will work out a date shortly & get with some of the "old guard" from the NONO's & have a simple get-together at my place for a Sunday Lunch & possibly a local ride through the scenic riverside roads & a jaunt to shore of Lake Erie. Thoughts,comments, concerns ?
As my old pal Mike H. used to say................................
Ride-em!
Skip Brolund
Previously eugene_brolund…
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Previously eugene_brolund…
Previously eugene_brolund wrote:
... includes an all British ride-in to the event every year. Ther have been years with over 50 British motorcycles in attendance.
Skip Brolund
Skip, I believe that you mean "....all English ride-in..." You're going to have to be particularly careful with the terminology after September, at which point the Scots with English bikes will have to come to terms (if they haven't already) with the fact that they ride foreign motorcycles.
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Previously anna jeannette…
Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:
Well I am glad your enjoying your Nice Norton motorcycle, and our Scottish culture. Yours Anna J Dixon
Apparently there is a review of the decades old USA ban on the importation of the haggis. Now there's a bit of Scottish culture !!
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I will be taking my Dougla…
I will be taking my Douglas to a Clan Douglas gathering up here in the wilds this weekend. A chance to see lots of visiting Americans in kilts. What will they think of a native Scot with a slightly public school accent in a Belstaff jacket? I am definitely NOT taking my bagpipes.
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It was great to see the fi…
It was great to see the field event, but I have to say I spent a lot of time at a stand with Scottish baked goods
There were many traditional Scottish & English foods including homemade Haggis. Unfortunatly I saw what went in it on "how its made" & had a difficult time having a go at eating it. Maybe after a few Dark Island Reserves & some nice single malt Bunnahabhain I might have more courage
.
I have always loved the bagpipes, & there was plenty of them playing last weekend. I have a neighbor who plays & sometimes he practices outside & the music carries quite a distance. There were more kilts than I have ever seen in one place & other traditional music & dancing..
Here is a website for the event:
http://www.ohioscottishgames.com/
I will have to find a Douglass for next year, maybe a kilt ! How doy you keep the kilt from flying up on when riding the bike?
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Hmmm. Well off topic but g…
Hmmm. Well off topic but good-natured and some amusing replies. This conversation continues.
Surprisingly, nothing yet from Gordon; he must be away.
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Previously Chris Grimmett…
Hmmm. Well off topic but good-natured and some amusing replies. This conversation continues.
Surprisingly, nothing yet from Gordon; he must be away.
Webmaster
Its very surprising where hearing from you and not locking this thread you must be getting soft in your old age, Christ And the Bagpipes are a Octopus crossed with a chicken and there always ruining off and as they 8 legs you cannot catch them there faster than a any Norton too !!! Yours Anna J
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Previously Chris Grimmett…
Previously Chris Grimmett wrote:
Hmmm. Well off topic but good-natured and some amusing replies. This conversation continues.
Surprisingly, nothing yet from Gordon; he must be away.
Webmaster
I'm sure that I don't know what you mean, Mr. Grimmett. A decent malt is never off-topic ! (Am I allowed to call it 'British Whisky' for the time being ?)
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Perfectly possible to ride…
Perfectly possible to ride a bike in a kilt. Just keep the knees firmly pressed to the tank kneepads and all will be well. However, my girlfriend gave me a lift to a piping engagement on her motorcycle many years ago. I was in full military uniform. Unfortunately my plaid caught in the back sprocket of the bike and I was gradually hauled down. In response to my stangled squeak to stop, Juliet dutifully looked behind, signalled and gradually pulled in to the side of the road. By good luck, the chain and sprocket had chewed the plaid sufficiently that it parted before I was minced.I still married her and am still married to her. The Warrant Officer in stores was not impressed when I went to exchange my shredded oily plaid.
P.S. My bagpipeshave only 5 legs but do have a good turn of speed but only when I am carrying them on my Norton.
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Previously eugene_brolund wrote:
Well I am glad your enjoying your Nice Norton motorcycle, and our Scottish culture. Yours Anna J Dixon