Yes hobot you are right as I well know, Nigeria is a strange place, often violent and an assault on the senses, yet surveys show Nigerians are the happiest people on earth- beats me, but what I can say is now I am used to it, the madness becomes 'normal' and you just learn to take it in your stride. TBH I quite enjoy my short stints there, and will miss not going back now for a few months- it gets addictive.
This is a picture I got on the way to the airport of a Policeman on a motorcycle taxi, going to or from work.... cool huh with a beer in one hand and cigarette in the other. Things you see in this place you really couldnt make up.
Suicidal Motorcycle taxis called Okadas are the source of endless amusement in traffic jams here. I have often thought of starting up a website just for pictures of the incredible things ( and scrapes) they get themselves into.
Anyway, I am so glad to be home (to lovely weather for a change) after a trying flight back with the frame of the Norton, and 2 bags of parts.
At Lagos airport just about every man and his dog wanted to see the frame and authorise its removal from the country- all for a 'price' of course ( In Lagos it is called 'something for the weekend'- in UK its called extortion). The security first wanted their cut, then customs got very excited about 'exporting' a vehicle ( that cost a 500N /6USD) 'payment' then the drug agency wanted it checked ( another small 'fee') and then the BA luggage handlers would not touch it as they were sure it would not fit into the aircraft ( A Boeing 747 of all things). They need a fee of 2500N (15USD) to 'check' it would fit.
It was so funny being escorted Airside to literally check the frame would fit, and seeing the security guard with his feet on the desk (without shoes or socks on). He obviously did not get many non airside authorised visitors and did not have a pen or ledger to write my name and passport number, so borrowed my pen and wrote my details on the back of the newspaper he had been reading.
After a few minutes, the baggage handlers must have stretched the plane because they came back duly satisfied that they had somehow gotten the frame in the hold, and made it seem like it was them that had done me the favour.
I did not feel inclined by this stage (2 and half hours later) to tell them it was to be loaded into the baggage containers. Sometimes things here are done pointlessly just to get a 'fee'.
Next time I saw the frame was by the luggage Carousel in Heathrow airport, and putting it on my baggage trolley with 40kg of Norton bits in 2 bags was one of the best moments of this saga so far, as now I can properly start to do some restoration works.
I wheeled it through UK customs, who I was sure were going to take a very keen interest in it and they didnt bat an eyelid. I couldnt believe that and walzted through to my pickup on a foggy chilly morning without any more palaver.
Now I just need to get this swingarm cut off and then start arranging all components to get them ready for powder coating.
I have read the Oldbritts article on powdercoating and have a couple of questions:
1. Are the yokes ( fork 'trees I think in US speak) meant to be black? Mine are and I am not sure if they have been overpainted by the PO, as most owners on this forum seem to PC them silver.
2. If they are meantto be silver, is there a reference colour silver?
3. If they are meant to be black, is the black same colour as the frame?
4. What colour black is the closest to Norton Frame Black and is it gloss shine or a satin type shine. My frame is so sun faded I really cannot tell.
Thanks Guys
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Amazing the staying power of a rusted up spindle.
