Calne Motorcycle Meet 2009

Dan and I went to Calne last Saturday, and saw a huge number of bike's, all parked everywhere there was a space! There were classics, sports bikes and adventure bikes, as well as some custom bikes and trikes. It was amazing!

This red motorcycle and sidecar combination was driven from inside the sidecar, with a shop dummy as the rider! Great bit of engineering. I overheard that last year the owner had a skeleton as the rider.

Just some of the many sports bikes that were present.
A general view up the river with bikes parked in every available space!

And a classic oldie as well!

Super Tenere update...

Last Saturday Dan and I went to Calne for a huge bike meet, the whole town was just full of bikes, over 3,500 attended last year, and there must have been more this year. Photo's will be published at a later date.

When we got home I decided to change the oil and filter on the S10, something that I have not done before. You have to take the bottom engine cover off, then there is a drain plug, and then you take off the oil filter housing, which also has a drain plug. All went well, and I left it draining for a while, before re-fitting a new K&N oil filter, and filling up with 10/40 bike oil.

It took about 3 litres before it showed full, which is odd since the manual say's 3.9 ltrs after a oil and filter change. Then I decided to look at the instrument module that I bought to replace the faulty tacho. I decided to use the case of the "new" one, since bothe the mounting bolts were present, and the front of my one, since it is silver. So in the end I put my speedo in the replacemnet housing, built it all up again, and the tacho worked! Still need to fix temp gauge and fan switch.

Didn't use the bike that night, next morning checked the oil and it took another ltr! So not I need to buy some more. Used the bike a lot this week, including in my first real bit of rain on the way home from work one night. Didn't get too wet, boots leaked, but they are old and the velcro has gone.

Thinking of spraying the bike up, and getting some graphics, found a printer that will make Super Tenere logo on vinyl. May go for it soon.

That's all for now.

Horses and Motorbikes don't mix!

Had a bit of an incident on the way in yesterday morning by motorbike. I had been up to Tidworth and came back on the country roads, on my old Enfield Sunday route, out through Thruxton. Turned right just before the railway bridge and came upon a horse and rider heading my way.

The lady (she looked quite grey under her helmet so I assume she was fairly old) indicated that I should slow down (having just come of the junction and riding like an old woman as usual I was going no more than 20 anyway) so I actually stopped. It was a lovely road with houses down one side. Her horse took offense and decided to turn round and leave, she hung on OK but then tried to stop the horse, and she ended up on her back after going over it's head.

I turned the bike off, took my helmet off, and walked up the road to see if she was OK. She had got up and was busy putting the horses tackle back on (should it have come off?). I asked if she was OK, she said she will be. I asked if there was anything I could do, she said no. She said the horse was young and she was not sure what it would do. In the end she thanked me for stopping and walked the horse off in the original direction she was heading.

Looking back at it I was not speeding, and I stopped as soon as I saw her. The fact that the horse did not like me was not my fault, and the fact that she fell off was not my fault either. But, if I had not been there at all it would not have happened. So I apologise now for your horse chucking you off. As I said at the time, at least we were both wearing the right protective gear!

So much for using quiet country roads instead of the main roads to work....by the way, the horse in the pic is not the real one....

Today all it's doing is raining cat's and dog's, and I have the bike in again! Oh well....

What would it cost to replicate these graphics?

That's what I asked on Ebay recently. And the answer? Will have to wait and see.

The festival that was not to be....

Press Release
20th July 2009

Tidworth Festival Cancelled

It is with much regret that Community Dynamix Ltd announces that Tidworth Festival 2009 is cancelled. This is due to advanced ticket sales not generating enough funds to cover the set up costs for the Festival.

Baz Reilly Chairman of Community Dynamix Ltd said “We are all devastated! Lots of people have bought tickets in advance but unfortunately the sales did not cover the outlays. The aim of the festival was to generate funds for local schools and community projects. I would like to express my thanks to all the sponsors and people throughout the community who have strived to make the festival a success. As a direct result of this we are aware that people including, sponsors, suppliers and ticket purchasers will be out of pocket. Words cannot express our sincere regret.”

Community Dynamix Ltd is now in administration and further details will be available on this website: www.tidworthfestival.info

-Ends-

Had to find at least on motorbike on holiday!

This was on the beach owned by a fisherman at Kusadasi in Turkey. Did also see a fleeting glimpse of a S10 on the other side of th road, and a few Ninja deathbikes in town. Too hot for helmets and protective stuff, most riders were wearing shorts and a tee-shirt!
The other bike is Doug's "new" T100 Bonneville, which he has bought as a Cat D write off. It's already been fixed up, just waiting for his insurance and tax disk. Will no doubt get some more photo's when we I see it.

Well we have been on holiday....

Decided to go on holiday to Turkey this year, for the first time, although I have been to Istanbul on business. We went to Kusadasi, which is on the Aegean Sea, about 2 and a half bumpy hours from Bodrum airport. We went AI (all inclusive), and we stayed at the Surmeli Efes hotel. We, by the way, included myself, my wife Julie, son Dan and daughter Natasha.

We flew from Gatwick on a late flight on Sunday, and, by the time we had transfered, we arrived at the hotel in time for 8am breakfast! Then we launched into our first day, and sat by the very nice pool. Lunch came and went, Julie and Tash went to the "welcome" meeting, where they met Rob, Lin and Niki, who turned out to be very nice people from Southend in Essex.

During the daytime we were asked several times if we wanted to go on trips but decided to see if we could cope with the heat first! Every day was clear sky's and sun, about 35 degrees. Food was generally OK, beer included, the ladies struggled a bit to get a decent drink, vodka was too strong, local wine too sharp. Most nights we could get meat, chicken and veg etc. And some reasonable deserts.

We had pedalo's and canoes included so we enjoyed ourselves on those, and, by the end of the week, we had decided that the beach was preferable to the pool, since it was cooler! The hotel never felt overly busy, and we really enjoyed ourselves. If there was a downside it was the entertainment, a nightly show by the animation crew, and an awful pianist who played and sang at the pool bar until midnight. We could stand on our balcony and see and hear him!

We went to Kusadasi market on Wednesday by Dolmus bus, had McDonald's in town, and came back and went straight to the beach! Friday we went out on a boat for 6 hours, lovely on the way out, Dan and I dived into the sea from the boat, very rough on the way back. Tash has vowed never again!

Saturday Julie was not feeling too well and to cut a long story short we ended up staying the night in the local hospital! Only just got back in time on Sunday to pack, have a swim, grab lunch and leave at 1pm. At Bodrum airport we got caught for the worlds worst burger meals, at 12 Euro's each! Julie bought the same with a pizza at 10 Euro's. Disgusting! We arrived back home via Gatwick (and another MacDonald's!) at gone midnight. Surmeli Efes is well recommended, and Kusadasi deserves another visit, perhaps when it is cooler!

Now back in the office and boy has it rained this week!!!!

Nice S10 video....

I do like this colour scheme!

Been on hol's, will update blog when I can.