New member from Shetland

[StClair]

Hi Folks,

I've been on the U.S. version of the forum for a couple of months  -  didn't realise that this one existed......

I've been in Shetland for 35 years, originally a Brummie  -  served my apprenticeship at BSA Motorcycles (just after the last Ice Age). Spent many years 'on the tools' as a machinist/fitter, latterly in a small shipyard in Lerwick, moved into the training side of engineering & motor vehicle 20 odd years ago.

My tastes in bikes are 'catholic'  -  see my signature, but I inherited the 400/4 this summer. It was the last bike of an old mate from the 60s & 70s who passed away a few years ago. His wife and family decided this year that I should be the one to take care of it, so I brought it up here in July, fixed the bits that needed fixing, and finally got it road legal this month.

I may have some questions.........

[philward]

StClair
Welcome to the site - really great bunch on here
Phil

[StClair]

Thanks Phil

[Lobo]

Hi StClair,

Welcome from me too.... this forum packed with expertise & willingness to help. Don't know much about BSAs, but a fair amount on the 400F.  A fantastic 'little' bike.

Your old mate has left you a lovely legacy...

Simon

[AshimotoK0]

Welcome from me too.
Touching story about how you got the bike.
Bet your friend would be well pleased you took it on.

Cheers ... Ash

[UK Pete]

Hi STClair welcome aboard fella
pete

[Trigger]

Welcome, Looks like another good example saved from the scrap man.

[StClair]

Thank you kindly gentlemen,

Yeah, it's kinda bitter-sweet having the bike.

I've been keeping track of what I've been doing to it, and taking photos as things move along. I'm sending them to John's widow & his two daughters  -  they seem well pleased with how it's going so far.

The next Shetland Classic Motor Show will be in June 2016, and the plan is that Jayne, the younger daughter will come here to ride the bike to the show with me  -  might be a tear or two shed that day..........

The bike itself is unrestored  -  a 'survivor bike' if you like  -  26k or so miles on it, so it has a lot of life in it yet. I'll be running it now and then (I have others to do justice to  ) and generally keeping it in good shape.

Thanks again for the welcome, chaps.

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Plus one with all the above and nice bike
Cheers
Bitsa

[mickwinf]

welcome and a nice reminder of your friend.

[Green1]

Welcome from me to.

Mick

[StClair]

Thanks again gentlemen, for the welcome, 'tis much appreciated.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hello and a very warm (read wet today) welcome from Orkney,
We were up there this year with a Mini Clubman Estate at your fabulous Classic motor show - a must for all other forum members!   We'll be back in 2016 with something different.  You have an unbelievable collection of very interesting stuff in Shetland and now they have a 400/4 to admire.  My tastes are similar and I've been working on a long overdue Norton Model 50, plus my 400/4 and a few others besides.  I have BSA's too and you will no doubt know of C and D Autos - I used to collect my stuff from them in Acocks Green before the Old Man passed away, now just done by post.
Best Regards,
Ian

[StClair]

Thanks Ian!

I remember C&D very well  -  used to get my M.O.T. tests done there. I had my Huntmaster/Steib S501 outfit there on one occasion and, having been told in the usual way to "go away and come back in an hour", I wandered over to the cafe on the other side of the road.

I sat there watching.

After 45mins or so, a chap in a boiler suit came out carrying a note-book. He wrote down the reg., the mileage and the engine & frame numbers, turned the lights on and off, then went back inside. (might have sounded the horn, too)

I waited another 10 minutes, then went back to the shop. "Yes sir, your bike's fine, here's the test certificate, that'll be......however much........"

I thought  'I'll come here again' :-)

I haven't been there since '87, but it's nice to know they're still operating.

Sounds like you've a great variety of bit & bobs  -  my problem is lack of space (and the limited patience of my good lady wife  -  though 5 bikes ain't bad) or I'd be operating on the mathematical formula n+1, to describe the ideal number of bikes an individual should own 

Give me a shout if you're up this way.........