During the lock down.....

[Orcade-Ian]

The NC 500 does go through some cracking areas but it was being spoilt by folks hiring Ferraris and Lambos and trying to do it in the fastest time possible,  which really defeats the object - quite apart from the inherent danger.  Like lots of well publicised stuff, it has become a victim of its own success.  I well remember a Irishman in Matt Molloy’s Bar in Westport saying that if this pub didn’t get so crowded, more people would come!  Best to do it in May (not this year obviously) the weather is often settled then and fewer tourists in ‘Blunderbuses’ choking the narrow parts.  September can also be good as the Scottish schools normally go back mid August.  PM me if you do get to Orkney (try to avoid referring to as The Orkneys - it winds the locals up!)

Ian

[Johnwebley]

   I would love to explore Scotland, the isles,and NC500,

 but is there an easy route to get there,

  living south of Birmingham,,I am not a fan of motorways,so what route would any of you reccommend ?

[Bryanj]

A5 to Manchesterish over penines then A1

[Moorey]

Do not do it June through Sept the midges can be a real problem. I would also advise doing the NC500 anticlockwise. The reason the the views get more impressive the further you go and the majority of traffic is clockwise. Well worth doing.

[Orcade-Ian]

For Johnwebley,
I did Land’s End to John O’Groats on a recumbent pedal trike some years back and obviously couldn’t use motorways, so the approximate route I used might suit.
I went through Hereford - you can pick my route from there and have a look at the map to see if it’s something you might like.

http://www.stallard-engineering.co.uk/stories/Cycling/Le%20Jog%202004.htm

Ian

[taysidedragon]

   I would love to explore Scotland, the isles,and NC500,

 but is there an easy route to get there,

  living south of Birmingham,,I am not a fan of motorways,so what route would any of you reccommend ?

There's no easy route, you still have to do the miles! I like the old A6 north of Manchester to Shap then a bit of M6 to join A7 just north of Carlisle to Edinburgh. Much more enjoyable than all motorway.
The midges are only a problem on the west coast, lots of great roads on the east side too. A93 Blairgowrie to Braemar and beyond is fantastic. 👍

[MCTID]

You will thank me for this........but if you are planning heading North up the M6 from the Preston area up to Lancaster and Northwards, instead take the B roads that more or less run parallel to the M6 through the Vale of Lune....Clitheroe is a good starting point. Do it just at the beginning of Spring or the end of Summer and it's the most beautiful scenery, with few other 'tourists' to spoil things. 

Trust me....but keep it to yourselves, and when you have done that route, donate a tenner to this Forum.....it will be worth it !

[Johnwebley]

For Johnwebley,
I did Land’s End to John O’Groats on a recumbent pedal trike some years back and obviously couldn’t use motorways, so the approximate route I used might suit.
I went through Hereford - you can pick my route from there and have a look at the map to see if it’s something you might like.

http://www.stallard-engineering.co.uk/stories/Cycling/Le%20Jog%202004.htm

Ian

  a very enjoyable read ,I know the PO and general store at St weonards,on the A466.

I regulary go for a day trip to the Lizard,I must do an end to end before to long.

thanks all for your advice

[mike the bike]

I read of an effective midge repellent.  Cover any exposed skin with a sugar solution.
Apparently it rots their teeth.

[MCTID]

I have been following a Triumph Guru called Terry Macdonald for many years now.......he's a fountain of knowledge on older Triumphs and his Website is excellent.

Anyone who has an interest in old bikes will no doubt enjoy his Website, and it also has some good links to other interesting Websites concerning bikes.

Not something I would normally post, but if you are struggling to occupy your minds during this difficult period, you can lose a day or so reading all the good stuff on here:
https://triumphbonneville120.co.uk/

[Bryanj]

Rebuilt my 110 often enough and many customers 120,140,150 and 160 to want to see it again but nice thought!!

[Orcade-Ian]

Another slightly different one from the archive.  Loved the bike but ended up with a GB 500TT as well and got pestered to sell the 400 - another mistake!  I’ve chased a few on eBay but not found the right one.
This is a ‘5 parter’ so you might need an extra packet of biscuits with your coffee. I hope you are all still keeping sane in these trying times. 

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]


http://www.stallard-engineering.co.uk/stories/Bikes/Japanese/Honda%20GB%20400%20TT.htm

Ian

[Laverda Dave]

That was a good read Ian. The GB500 was a very nice good looking bike and as you say in your text, like a Velo. Great restoration. I can see these going for strong money in the very near future. They are already at the £5k+ mark and that will only go up.
What make of indicators did you fit in the end? I'm looking for ideas for my Triton build, trying to keep it traditional but not having indicators on a bike in London is a pia and it's dangerous sticking arms out and hope people see where I intend to go!

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Dave,
I ended up sourcing original GB indicators from the guy I got the chrome chain guard from (in Germany). Two were really good but the others were damaged on the front edge and lenses broken.  At that time DS had a couple of lenses and I set the damaged bodies in the lathe and turned a small amount off the front faces so they ended up a bit shorter but no one ever noticed (only Ash would have spotted them!)
The Dresden Triton sounds interesting - can you share the story?  Presumably a wideline frame and a unit con motor?  I built a couple of Tribsas but could never afford a Featherbed frame back then.  I still have my Featherbed Model 50 though.

Regards,
Ian

[Laverda Dave]

Thanks Ian. I'll post a thread on other bikes in the near future on how it's progressing. It's a restoration of a bike I built 20 years ago at Dresda's workshop. It suffered bad damage when my garage roof caved in!