Half a century later....

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paul.jameson
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Half a century later....

Post by paul.jameson »

New Years Eve 1971 is a day I remember well because it was the day I got my first Ariel going having fitted a new big end. But I broke the scraper ring fitting the cylinder so decided to assemble the bike anyway and see how it went. The bike was a 1957 NH 350. Having ridden it up and down the lane a time or two a friend arrived on his bike, saw I had the Ariel going and suggested going out for a ride. We only went about 7 or 8 miles, had a drink (of tonic water) from a village shop and returned as night fell. Following the acute unreliability of my Triumph Tiger Cub I was amazed that the Ariel managed a total of 15 or so miles with a piston ring missing but without breaking down and even the lights worked all the way home! The chances of achieving that on the Cub were very close to nil. So I have stuck with Ariels ever since and this afternoon took the RH500 out 50 years later, to the nearest hour or so. Naturally, it performed to perfection.
IMG_84720 lowres.jpg
The thought then occurred as to what has changed in motorcycling over those 50 years. The biggest change is the huge improvement in motorcycling gear which is now routinely armoured and can be heated - even on an Ariel. As to my bike, I have gone up 150cc and back 20 years so instead of riding a 14 year old bike I am now riding an 84 year old one. And, although the brakes sometimes leave a little to be desired, the 84 year old bike is still a perfectly useable means of transport.
Paul Jameson
35 LG (project), 37 RH500, 52 ex ISDT KHA, 54 KH(A), 75 Healey 1000/4.
Former Machine Registrar & Archivist, General Secretary and Single Spares Organiser (over a 25 year period).
Now Archivist (but not Machine Registrar), Gauges and Clocks Spares Organiser.
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SEDoan
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Re: Half a century later....

Post by SEDoan »

Great story and picture Paul - cool bike. and happy new year!
Are you using battery powered heated gear or do you have an Alton?
1937 Guzzi GTV, 1939 VH bitsa, 1947 VH, 1981 Guzzi Monza, 1983 Guzzi Lemans
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paul.jameson
Holder of a Golden Anorak
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Re: Half a century later....

Post by paul.jameson »

I'm using battery powered gear, made by warmnsafe.com . They are motorcyclists who have thought about it a lot. Their 12v gear is much more sophisticated than their 7.4v type I am using, but it works pretty well. I will admit to a main use of it being in the workshop which is so much cheaper on the energy costs than anything else.

Today it was out again on the Red Hunter to escort Madam in her 1927 Standard to the big Vintage Sports Car Club meeting about 10 miles away. After about a couple of miles the handling went rather slow and sure enough, the front tyre was going down. So I had to creep back home with a completely flat front tyre for at least a mile and get the KH(A) out to complete the trip. I must have picked up a thorn yesterday from the farmer cutting the hedge. As the back tyre was getting thin anyway it will be new tyres and tubes throughout for the Red Hunter.

There were at least half a dozen AOMCC members, including a former Chairman, at the VMCC meeting incidentally.

Happy New Year to all.
Paul Jameson
35 LG (project), 37 RH500, 52 ex ISDT KHA, 54 KH(A), 75 Healey 1000/4.
Former Machine Registrar & Archivist, General Secretary and Single Spares Organiser (over a 25 year period).
Now Archivist (but not Machine Registrar), Gauges and Clocks Spares Organiser.
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SEDoan
Holder of a Nylon Anorak
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Re: Half a century later....

Post by SEDoan »

Thank you Paul. Good on you for riding it flat. Did that once on a very old, very stiff rear, but it would be a trick on the front. Had to look up a 1927 Standard - cool car.
1937 Guzzi GTV, 1939 VH bitsa, 1947 VH, 1981 Guzzi Monza, 1983 Guzzi Lemans
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