Where did you go on your Norton today?

Good news about your sister Gordon. Not ALL car drivers brake for bends, but then, most have never ridden a motorcycle, or learned to allow for different road surfaces. Who needs brakes, what are gears for?!!

Gordon,

A good post and pleased that your sister is getting better. I have not had time for a ride out this week but very much looking forward to the ride down to Morpeth for the NOC rally from my home near Aberdeen tomorrow, I am hoping for dry weather, clear roads (some chance) and considerate car drivers.

Tony

IMHO Audi drivers have replaced BMW and Volvo drivers as the worst/ most arrogant, texting at the wheel seems to be the latest trend.

No Morpeth for me, but instead a round trip of 60 or so miles to a local annual show which is usually a good day out. Usual mix of old bikes, chatter, music and bacon rolls in almost unbroken sunshine. Lovely.

The dommi behaved impeccably, even started first kick when I came home (usually plays up in front of an audience!). And the oil stayed in the primary case following surgery to the chain last week - bonus!

No troubles with other road users today, but had to swerve to avoid a peacock on the dual carriageway - I didn't look back to see what became of it!

Just returned home from the INOA "Save a Horse, Ride a Norton" rally in Buffalo, Wyoming, USA. And no, I did not ride there as the round trip was something like 3,500 miles. Beautiful countryside and vast distencesout west. Saw many buffalos and elk and a grizzly bearin Yellowstone Park as well as my first sighting of pronghorn antelope all over the place in Wyoming. It was difficult (actually impossible) to keep up with all the Commandos on the rides but my Model 50 would pass them up when they stopped for fuel.

Many thanks to Garwood Jorgenson of the Northern California Norton Owners Clubfor doing an excellent job of organizing the Rally. There were about 300 persons and 200 bikes there. Next year the Rally is to be held in Ashland, Oregon which is just past the northern California border. Should be an easier trip.

p.s. Had the opportunity to meet Chris Grimmet for the first time. Nice bloke.

Mike Sullivan

Previously michael_sullivan wrote:

Saw many buffalos and elk and a grizzly bearin Yellowstone Park as well as my first sighting of pronghorn antelope all over the place in Wyoming.

So no peacocks then?

Did a 30 or so mile round trip to a local show on my '34 inter yesterday. Mostly vintage cars but about 50 bikes. Won best pre-60 motorcycle and it stayed fine so nice ride there and back. I did however oil up 2 plugs on the round trip. Upon closer inspection of a heat range chart, turns out I went the wrong way when I changed plug to try and stop the oiling up so have made things worse. Will have another go next time and see if I get it right! The bike is starting to bed in nicely having done 450 miles since rebuild. If I can solve this little problem it will be a great bike that should get a lot of use!

Tony Williams and myself were out on our rigid singles for a ride that ended up at the Bill Lacey memorial meeting, on the village green at Evenley.

It was a good meeting and worth getting to next year if any of you are interested

I have just returned from a week spent in Fontainbleu, France thanks to Peter Cocks, who organised the trip and Phil & Caroline Hamwho were splendid travel companions on their 650 Mercury. I took my 750 LR Commando.

We had glorious weather apart from a wet Sunday afternoon. Hence lots of ventures were possible to all the local attractions. This included a tour ofFontainbleu Palace which is just ridiculously opulent, a visit to the Eiffel Tower and a ride down the Champs Elysses past the Arc de Triumph.

Thanks to an Aldi supermarket just 3 miles away from our riverside chateau, (30 euros for the week) the whole trip cost only around 300 euros.

Top that.........