- Joined
- Apr 20, 2009
- Messages
- 120
Was up early yesterday morning. The sun was shining, the birds singing and no sound of any vehicles on the road.. I decided that Nellie, 72 combat Roadster, was due a run out before she who must be obeyed was up and around.
Wheeled her out out the garage, put her on the main stand and went to sort out my riding gear. On return the sun had risen a little and was shining off of Brent's perfect fireflake blue paint work, the cases and alloy wheels looked like glass reflecting the warming rays. It made me smile and think, yep all my own work.....
Next do I start it here or wheel it down the road, bearing in mind it's 06.30. An evil grin appeared on my face. Over the last 3 months both neighbours have been extending their properties at the weekends starting at about 07.30 on both days and carrying on till late evening. No contest, start her here. Over the last 7 years of my ownership Nellie has gone from being a bad tempered, contankerous, evil, spitting, leg biting near heart attack rendering bitch, that would always let you down at the most in opportune moment into a charming, well mannered, with a naughty side if you want to use it, first kick machine. Enrichers on, fuel on, kick over once with no ignition. Turn on ignition, steel your loins and kick, fires and catches first time, idel around 1300rpm off enrichers. Back off the throttle and she sits there thumping away at a smooth steady idel. Big smile on my face....
Now I live on the south coast of England and the roads we have to ride here are great when there is no holiday maker traffic towing caravans, so decided to head to Portland, Dorset, to see the venue for the Olympic sailing. Made sure I made a noisy take off, perhaps revving her a few more times than needed, and headed out on the country roads. Nothing else about, being able to make use of the whole road. Perhaps doing a little more than the prescribed 60 mph in places, hearing the roar of the exhausts in amongst the trees occasionally red lining her. Huge great smile on my face.
No police, no speed cameras and no grockles, the journey was over way too soon. Rode down to the southern tip of Portland island parked the bike up on the cliff looking out over the blue water with a cup of coffee and a bacon and sausage roll in my hands thinking, it don't get better than this. Massive smile on my face.
Been out now for a couple of hours, best start heading back, got chores to do. Need fuel. Goes into pay for it, return to find a small crowd gathered round the bike looking and pointing. The older guy asks this yours? Seeing as I'm the only 1 on the forecourt and I've got a crash helmet on I say yes, without any hint of sarcasm, days to nice to get pissed with stupid questions. 1972 750 Combat, brought 1new same year. So get talking and we both decided that if Nortons ran back in the 70's the way that you can get them running today they would never have gone out of production. Go on then start her up he says. Mmmm now this is the time as you will all know that they won't start with an audience. Flip the kick start, fold up the side stand, get the leaver to the top and kick through, first time!!!! He's got a smile in his face and he comes close and says the bike is truly magnificent, well done. I still had the smile on an hour later when I arrived back home. Parked her up in he garage and noticed that the very small oil leak I had on her has even gone, still smiling.
Back to reality, get the mower out, smiles still there though.....
Sorry if I've bored you, but it was just one of those memorable Norton days........
Wheeled her out out the garage, put her on the main stand and went to sort out my riding gear. On return the sun had risen a little and was shining off of Brent's perfect fireflake blue paint work, the cases and alloy wheels looked like glass reflecting the warming rays. It made me smile and think, yep all my own work.....
Next do I start it here or wheel it down the road, bearing in mind it's 06.30. An evil grin appeared on my face. Over the last 3 months both neighbours have been extending their properties at the weekends starting at about 07.30 on both days and carrying on till late evening. No contest, start her here. Over the last 7 years of my ownership Nellie has gone from being a bad tempered, contankerous, evil, spitting, leg biting near heart attack rendering bitch, that would always let you down at the most in opportune moment into a charming, well mannered, with a naughty side if you want to use it, first kick machine. Enrichers on, fuel on, kick over once with no ignition. Turn on ignition, steel your loins and kick, fires and catches first time, idel around 1300rpm off enrichers. Back off the throttle and she sits there thumping away at a smooth steady idel. Big smile on my face....
Now I live on the south coast of England and the roads we have to ride here are great when there is no holiday maker traffic towing caravans, so decided to head to Portland, Dorset, to see the venue for the Olympic sailing. Made sure I made a noisy take off, perhaps revving her a few more times than needed, and headed out on the country roads. Nothing else about, being able to make use of the whole road. Perhaps doing a little more than the prescribed 60 mph in places, hearing the roar of the exhausts in amongst the trees occasionally red lining her. Huge great smile on my face.
No police, no speed cameras and no grockles, the journey was over way too soon. Rode down to the southern tip of Portland island parked the bike up on the cliff looking out over the blue water with a cup of coffee and a bacon and sausage roll in my hands thinking, it don't get better than this. Massive smile on my face.
Been out now for a couple of hours, best start heading back, got chores to do. Need fuel. Goes into pay for it, return to find a small crowd gathered round the bike looking and pointing. The older guy asks this yours? Seeing as I'm the only 1 on the forecourt and I've got a crash helmet on I say yes, without any hint of sarcasm, days to nice to get pissed with stupid questions. 1972 750 Combat, brought 1new same year. So get talking and we both decided that if Nortons ran back in the 70's the way that you can get them running today they would never have gone out of production. Go on then start her up he says. Mmmm now this is the time as you will all know that they won't start with an audience. Flip the kick start, fold up the side stand, get the leaver to the top and kick through, first time!!!! He's got a smile in his face and he comes close and says the bike is truly magnificent, well done. I still had the smile on an hour later when I arrived back home. Parked her up in he garage and noticed that the very small oil leak I had on her has even gone, still smiling.
Back to reality, get the mower out, smiles still there though.....
Sorry if I've bored you, but it was just one of those memorable Norton days........
. 
