With the MOT passed, I determined to ride the 400/4 this year and not just put it away and fiddle with it, I’m sure there’s a moral in there somewhere.
I took to the lanes of Kent this afternoon, stopping at Bearsted to watch some cricket on the green- the bike got a few looks from the watchers- and its distinctive noise as I pulled away must have stirred some memories.
In clad with my ‘fake Belstaff jacket’ but could de with some better quality jeans- that’s what we all used to wear, is it not? – I couldn’t afford the Bestaff in the 70’s, but I’m not moaning- I always seemed to find the money for a pint in them bygone days.
I rode back into Maidstone- bearing in mind this was the bikes first legal trip this year- now it seems to be running properly and I don’t have the run the gauntlet of the Law, trying to set the carbs and try it out. It pulls very well, just as well as it did- slightly hesitant if I don’t change down gear to pull away- but I’m happy and I’m sure that how I remember it running 2 years ago when I first restored it. I definitely runs better with a full tank of fuel- which means maybe the tank filter of cock is still restricted- I’ve got a another tank to fit when I get around to it- I’ve actually spent a few bob on it this year.
The DS replica pipes look good- the chrome is not in back nick for an original set of mudguards and the seat looks ok- even if its heart is fibreglass.
I saw a CX500 and an old R100 at the side of the road: I just had to double-back for a chat- and we did, sharing a fag and anecdotes about Hondas- until some village-idiot came along to tell us how much we would be fined for- a) parking on a bus stop- (have you ever tried to get a bus in Maidstone on a Sunday?) b. dissuading our fags- again, sign of the times- I’m not putting it in my pocket! And c. he notice my tax disc was 2-years old- I offered the truth that I taxed it online last Thursday, and was genuinely waiting for it to come through…but no ‘That’s a hefty fine, that is..’
Which is a shame, as the chaps I met were looking for a route to Canterbury which I naturally obliged- but I’m sure we would have been there longer discussing bikes we had owned, had we not been disturbed- Oh well, I takes all sorts.
