This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Messages - Orcade-Ian
1
« on: August 11, 2026, 09:08:53 AM »
When I started at High School in 1960, I had to get a bus into Hull Paragon Station, then another (usually a trolley bus) to the School and the same on return. I saw bigger lads jump off the bus platform and then run alongside to save a bit of time. "I'll have some of that" thought I, but my next bus departed from the opposite direction. I had obviously not worked out the physics, as I jumped down and promptly fell flat on my arse, to the great amusement of everyone watching! I did perfect the technique eventually, until the Atlanteans came along with folding doors at the front, under the watchful eye and control of the driver.
Ian
2
« on: August 10, 2026, 08:08:28 PM »
Ee! I'm right glad I used that misleading topic title, some great stories from all of you, ta!
The only bus one I can add was when I was sitting on the back seat of a newly restored Bedford OB (stop sniggering you lot!) there were no other seats apart from the driver's and we were off to Preston for its Ministry Test. It had been lovingly restored by my great friend Norman Wade (sadly no longer with us) and featured on Top Gear with Tony Mason on the Blackpool run. Happy days! Norman served his apprenticeship with HF Brockbank (Brockie) the well known BSA motorcycle dealer and racer in Southport, so there is a motorcycle connection somewhere.
Ian
3
« on: August 10, 2026, 06:07:16 PM »
That's similar here in Orkney Bryan, some of the ageing ferry fleet, totally unfit for service have been dragged out of retirement when the replacements - told by many that they are unsuitable, have broken down.
Ian
4
« on: August 10, 2026, 01:18:39 PM »
Thanks Bryan,
Sorry for the apparently misleading thread title then, I thought most folk knew that legend had it that there was never a bus when you needed one, then 2 would turn up at the same time.
Ian
Ian, this just isn't correct, these things happen in THREES! 
You are probably right about THREES but I think you might have to wait a lot longer for three 350/4s to turn up together at a small show in Lancashire - especially all the same colour! Ian
5
« on: August 10, 2026, 10:58:03 AM »
Thanks Bryan,
Sorry for the apparently misleading thread title then, I thought most folk knew that legend had it that there was never a bus when you needed one, then 2 would turn up at the same time.
Ian
6
« on: August 09, 2026, 11:15:54 AM »
A mate down in Lancashire was at the Much Hoole gathering near Preston and not 1 but 2 350/4's turned up - so Mike P, they do exist in the flesh and not just in photos. Yes, there is a very nice 550/4 K lurking in the background on one pic
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Ian
7
« on: August 04, 2026, 06:17:27 PM »
Hello Adrian,
Welcome to the forum, hopefully you will find lots of other owners of 400's willing to share their knowledge with you. I too have a 400/4 (amongst others) and there are many folk with spares you might need. I think when you get to 5 posts you can add pictures of your new steed (we all love pics).
Ian
8
« on: August 01, 2026, 08:25:26 AM »
Christine and I have been motorcycling (and less regularly in the car) in Britain and Europe since the early eighties and in those early days we would use the Hull to Rotterdam route when travelling to Europe, with an 'open date return' ticket. That facility is no longer available but you can pay extra for a flexy ticket and pay again to move the date - assuming someone answers the phone (all of our operators are extremely busy but your call is important to us, please stay on the line!)
We never booked accommodation in advance and didn't have a problem. True, very occasionally we would have to try somewhere else in our chosen village if they were full but that was often arranged by them on our behalf. On more than one occasion we were escorted to the next gasthaus with vacancies.
So what changed? There may be a great number of different aspects - #@%$ and Covid didn't help but my own gut feeling is the widespread use of the Internet and the proliferation of sites like Booking.com, Air B&B and Trivago, who do what, exactly?
A couple of years ago I wanted to stay at a place on one of my motorcycling trips near Bannockburn. I found his site (where I had stayed previously) via Booking.com but still had the chap's mobile number, which I rang. "Oh, I'm pleased you rang direct - I have to 'front load' the cost by 50% if you use the web site!!"
Now, I'm all for people making a living but this seems excessive and I realise that the advertising and web sites have to be paid for but the accommodation providers were making a living for generations in the past, weren't they? Has this change brought about widespread benefits for all? Certainly not for us and judging by the number of establishments in Germany and Austria, as well as many in Britain which are now permanently closed, some of which had been run by 3 generations of the same family, not for them either.
Answers on a German beer-mat
Ian
9
« on: August 01, 2026, 07:52:27 AM »
Ken,
That's a really useful piece of info for all of us who were baffled by what looked like a random system. Could Steve put this somewhere where it's easy to find?
Thanks Ken,
Ian
10
« on: July 30, 2026, 05:43:49 PM »
Many years ago - probably over 20, a mate was extolling the benefits of using ear plugs and I bought a set that you moulded yourself and put them in your ears to set to the canal shape. They were quite expensive at the time but riding a 1500 'Wing, which is a quiet bike anyway and sitting behind the 'barn door' fairing with little or no wind noise, I didn't think the improvement was worth the effort of fitting and removing them.
Now, riding un-faired, noisier bikes, and the Scoot with a much smaller screen, I think I will give it another go. I know it makes sense to try and protect all of our remaining senses for as long as we can. I still have those custom made plugs in a little bag which they were supplied with. If all else fails we regularly get cheap foam ear plugs provided on our overnight ferry crossings - there's a bag of those someplace!
Ian
11
« on: July 26, 2026, 10:45:20 AM »
You could always have 'a bit on the side'
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Or even this?
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Ian
12
« on: July 24, 2026, 01:28:27 PM »
Some very interesting comments on your post Ted, thanks for starting it! Hope your SD does prove easier to put on the stand - strangely, my 550 is far easier than either the 350 or 400 in that respect.
Dennis, I hope you don't have to give up altogether, surely there are other ways of staying on 2 (powered) wheels? Please don't dismiss it straightaway but have you ever had a shot on a Maxi Scooter? CVT and very light throttle, not that heavy and very practical for storage space. I have nothing to prove these days and if folk want to take the piss and tell me it's not a proper motorcycle, that's up to them, at least I'm still riding!
Julie, I was surprised that you are ok with being pillion, after so many years riding solo - I had scary experiences 'when I were a yoof' and have not dared try it since!
I hope they get your cancer under control Coppertop, that 400 deserves to be ridden after all of the work you have put in.
Incidentally, this post has created interest from folks 'of an age' - are there many under 40 or so on this forum?
Ian
13
« on: July 24, 2026, 09:00:44 AM »
All very valid and sobering comments - as you would expect from this wonderful forum, which also has a beneficial effect on our mental well-being.
I was 77 back in June and still riding the 'fours' occasionally but seem to prefer this new ADV Scoot - at least it's still a Honda! It's only 2 years ago that I went to Germany and Austria from Orkney with a group of 3 bikes and 4 other fellow travellers without any issues - had my 75th birthday on that trip. The bit that has slowed me up a bit is being diagnosed with kidney failure last year - not needing dialysis but a bit more restricted in the length of rides, although being catheterised and having a leg bag means I only need to stop for fuel and food, not for a pee 🤓.
I still feel in full control of any bike I'm riding but no heroics these days. I also, have a C125 Super Cub which would allow me to keep riding if the others become too heavy. It's only just over 3 years ago that I stopped riding a 1500 GoldWing.
Continental touring was always my thing but although I still want to be there, I don't relish the thought of actually going there. That might just be an age and experience thing with the way traffic density has increased.
I will keep riding as long as medics and insurers allow and would only give up if I thought I was becoming a danger to myself and others.
Ian
14
« on: July 19, 2026, 11:18:24 AM »
Mike,
There are quite a few 350/4 owners on here - I'm surprised that you have not come across one on your travels. There were 4 in Southport, where we lived before coming to Orkney and I had 2 of them for a while.
They are quite a bit different from the 400, although they share quite a few parts. Never officially imported to UK and originally more expensive and slower than the 350 twins.
My problem now, having a few bikes to choose from, I seem to favour my recently acquired ADV 350 Maxi Scoot, which will never rise to the dizzy heights of our beloved fours - proper motorcycles but hell, the ADV such a damn practical thing.
Ian
15
« on: July 19, 2026, 08:24:24 AM »
Graham,
I have done a few 200+milers on my 350/4 and it's a real delight when compared with the 400/4. Mine is USA spec, so the bars are better for my 77 year old bones and the footrests are in a better, more forward position. I also am happier with the 5 speed box. The only reason I haven't done many back to back longer rides is that the mate I often go with doesn't want to do the overnight thing. The 350 seems to attract more interest than the 400 wherever I park, being rarer and a 'four piper'
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Ian
|
Show Posts