Return to home page.
(Click on bike, use
^
to jump back to top)
Chris was the original "Workshop assistant" but now due to shift patterns has
to spend most Saturday's playing with a train set (Docklands Light Railway).
This covers Chris's bikes from the present day back to '67, aged 16 (it doesn't
take a calculator).
Suzuki GS500E
Suzuki X7
Honda 400F2
Suzuki X7
Honda 400F2
Honda CJ250T
Triumph Trophy
Norton Navigator
AJS 31L 650 Combination
BSA Bantam(s)
Triumph Cub T120C
_______
Suzuki GS500E
Current bike. Bought
new
in '90, presently at 87,000 miles. Engine untouched
apart from normal servicing, all at The Workshop. Originally used Shell Gemini,
now Silkolene.
Exhaust replaced with Nexxus 2-into-1. New front disc at 70k miles.
Powerbronze twin headlight Endurance fairing. Numerous brake pads, chains,
sprockets and filters. On fourth set of Michelins. Steering head bearings now
need replacing (with taper roller). Original white wheels still under there,
somewhere, cleaned rarely - if you're cleaning it, you ain't riding it.
Used for daily commuting (60 miles). Four trips to I.O.M TT, including laps
round the circuit solo and
two-up
(scary -rear grab rail long gone). Rallied
2-3 times per year.
^
Suzuki X7
Given as "project", as I originally re-built the engine for the previous owner.
Guess what - needs new tank. K&N filters and Boysen reeds. Should be
on-the-road by the Millennium 'ish. Needs lots of elbow grease and paint.
^
Honda 400F2
Known to all as the "Four-hundred-four". Fairly standard except for a (loud)
Motad 4-into-1. Cibie headlight. Hand-painted engine, in red/blue Hammerite
(gross). Giuliari 4-2 Seat.
^
Suzuki X7
250cc two-stroke air-cooled twin. Very quick, awful handling - spat me off
twice. Tried expansion chambers (Microns) but made power band even narrower;
went back to standard.
Split fuel tank jumping Ballaugh Bridge, on the TT circuit, discovered standard
fault with X7 - tank rot!!
^
Honda 400F2
Motad 4-into-1 exhaust and 2-4 seat (carried over onto later bike). Pantera
Touring fairing (Windjammer clone).
Many happy (s)miles until head-butted a Jaguar, turning right across in front.
Accident witnessed by mother and son - "That's my Dad!". I landed on roof,
unharmed; female driver hysterical. Bike a write-off.
^
Honda CJ250T (BMH 117T)
The "Clockwork Banana". Bought new as "old stock". What can you say, it was a
Honda with a bigggg silencer. New set of tyres, not scrubbed-in, fell off (5-6
times on the way back from the pub…).
^
Triumph Trophy
BSA B25 Hi-boy frame (as per US market), 250 four-stroke single. Not very
quick, brilliant fun to ride. Sold along with combination for £300 - skint!
^
Norton Navigator
Bought as a "project" - never finished - complete nightmare!
^
AJS 31L 650 Combination (YSR 518)
Watsonian child-adult sidecar, geared for chair use (interesting when solo).
Yes, it broke the crank, as they all did; replaced with "Nodular" crank. Many
adventures.
^
BSA Bantam(s)
Courtesy of the GPO a variety of 125 and 175 Bantams. Useless brakes ( and with
two-stroke engine, not engine brake either). Restrictors removed when riding -
replaced when due for service. Maximum 55 mph, down hill.
^
Triumph Cub T120C (537 AHJ)
200cc four-stroke single. Reverse-cone mega (loud). Fibreglass tank and seat.
Norton flat 'bars. Aluminium mudguards. Written-off by women in Morris Minor.
Broken leg and ankle (still limping), cracked helmet.
^
Return to home page