1972 500-4 Review from Motorcyclist Illustrated

[AshimotoK0]

I found this Seotember 1972 500-4 Review in a copy of Motorcyclist Illustrated

Will scan properly when I am next at work

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[Skoti]

Thanks for posting this.

Chris Harraway seems to have a 'way with words'.
Very entertaining read.

Looking forward to the full scan.


Regards

Skoti.

P.S.
Avoid warm Fosters!

[AshimotoK0]

Thanks for posting this.

Chris Harraway seems to have a 'way with words'.
Very entertaining read.

Looking forward to the full scan.


Regards

Skoti.

P.S.
Avoid warm Fosters!

Full article is here ... just not a proper scan   https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=31471.0;attach=84355

[davidcumbria]

That’s a very good read - really gives an insight as to how the 750 and 500 were compared back then.

[K2-K6]

Interesting report Ash.

Obviously a chap of considerable wealth and worldly experience to reference "Avocado pear" in 1972 

I do like the exhaust note description too "It's a smooth sound that conjures dark velvet in the mind" I like exhausts of such quality 

[florence]

How refreshing to read such an erudite article from a motoring journalist that eschews the usual cliches.

[AshimotoK0]

LGP 31K no longer on DVLA ...wonder what happened to it

Was a proper UK spec machine by the looks of it (no grab rail, LpH configuration on the lighting switch)

UPDATE ! .. is on DVLA after all!   

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[florence]

gosh, went off the road at only 9 years old

[deltarider]

Geezz... I've stopped reading after the first few lines. Those GTX fumes must have gone to his head... 

[K2-K6]

Social class dear boy, one is either born to it, or perhaps not 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

If a registered keeper or an authorised vehicle dismantlers notify DVLA that a vehicle has been scrapped or exported outside the UK then a VRM search will reveal no trace on a search. If the search comes up such as LGP 31 K as not currently taxed or tested then the vehicle is still on the database so could be in shed, barn, museum or elsewhere possibly before they introduced SORN system so there might be no current keeper.. It's not certain that it no longer exists. I don't know the DVLA housekeeping database rules. I've checked quite a few if my previous Minis - only one comes up as on the database. Likewise all my old bikes except 102 ETF have gone.

My last Mini LOV 378F is still in existence as is my old Bond Equipe EWE176C. I last saw the Bond in a lock up garage being restored almost 30 years ago. As I no longer have access to PNC I have no idea where in the UK they might be.

[Bryanj]

I scrapped a ford years ago and it still showed until i eventually sent in the, old, v5. This was before sorn and destruction certificates.
Probably 12 to 15 yrs between physically gone and dvla gone

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I scrapped a ford years ago and it still showed until i eventually sent in the, old, v5. This was before sorn and destruction certificates.
Probably 12 to 15 yrs between physically gone and dvla gone

It might be that none of those vehicles of mine exist as the dates of last V5 issue are decades ago.
I have also noticed that once you do a cherished transfer the original VRM seems to disappear, they show as vehicle could not be found.

I owned a BMW Mini Cooper Auto that I traded in at a local car supermarket in June 2013 - RA03HFL .
It's shown as SORN never been taxed or tested since I traded it in - often wondered what has happened to it.

[Orcade-Ian]

Great article Ash - a good read!
Ted, I find that the DVLA site is poor for updating and a bit of a faff if you want more than one lot of info.  I've been using checkcardetails.co.uk for a while now and it has all info 'under one roof'.  When I take our car for MOT, I usually go for a wander and a coffee before returning but the DVLA info lags behind the 'checkcardetails' site, sometimes for many hours - can't imagine how?  Sorry to hi-jack again Ash!

Ian

[K2-K6]

A friend had his old car tested at mot station recently, passed and then set off to a day out ... technical breakdown and ultimately needing recovery,  his assistance service checked for current mot etc and came back with "not tested" on DVLA site, did recover at hundreds pounds in cost and told him if he could prove status at that point they would reimburse. Took nearly 3 months to get his money returned.