February 2024

 

February 24.

I have experienced poor pickup on the LE so I ordered a set of new jets from Eurocarb, Dellorto. I changed the jets quite quickly and started up the engine and it seems a bit better but now I have to do a road test when it stops raining. 

After blowing fuses in refitting the rev counter on the Burton I ordered some on line, 40amp blade fuses and a variety pack with a range of 30amp to 3amp to keep my stock at a reasonable level. When I wire the van I am certain I will need about 20 fuses for the whole system. When I say things just happen to me, would you believe when I opened the envelope that the fuses cam in one dropped out and went inside a new 2CV crossbox that have just arrived. I searched for the fuse and found it in the outlet pipe of the exhaust. 

Being one of the 40amp fuses I needed to retrieve it. With and artists brush and some super sticky tape it was retrieved. Sigh of relief. Having been out to Asda I bought some picture frames one was for a shot of me riding over a high plain at some 15400 feet  near Pang on the Himalayan I took to the Top of the World.

Speaking of travel I have just completed reading the 520 page marathon by Dr Pat Garrod  called Bearback. It has taken me 8 months to start it and a further six months to read it. Other than Scientific documents where Doctor is a requisite requirement I think it is pretentious. To be honest I have worked with many in my career in the NHS  and I wonder how and why they qualified being taught to have the authority on knowing everything and get a bit upset when challenged. The book, to me, starts a bit like that but becomes more engaging the further you get into it. I am sorry to say if I wrote something covering an epic journey it would be that long and probably take even longer to read. I think the book is well worth reading with an insight into many Muslim countries we can no longer visit. Adversity makes the story and I congratulate Pat on managing to record this life changing journey.

I did visit the London Motorcycle show at the Excel with my brother, Adrian to see what was new. We both have an interest in lighter weight bikes like the new Triumph 400 single and Kawasaki 500 twin. Both are A2 compliant but I don’t want a restricted model. I’m remapping and removal of the rev limiter would be a transformation. With modern 250’s with 40 BHP on tap what could you get from a 500?

This months’ 2CVGB news  has now a Facebook page in the form of 2CVGB official that I have signed up for. In doing so I receive a nice photo of my El Cid from years back. I guess from about 2007. I also need to complete my introduction to the page for those who do not know me.

It is MOT time for the Buell and I chose Thursday 22^nd March. That day was the wettest I can remember. Setting off in light rain it became heavier and heavier as I progressed to West London Triumph in East Byfleet. It was a wall of water going and returning. My new Oxford Touring suit (bought at the bike show in 2020 just before lockdown) held up well with only ingress of water at the cuffs and around the neck. This was the first time being out in such heavy rain. I was very pleased to remain so dry. Unfortunately the weather and front brake failed me on the day so there will be a retest soon when everything has dried out.

January 2024 Comment.

 

Comment January 2024

 

I have watched too much tele over the past month. Much of it focussed on the plight of the Palestinians and how biased the media is against them. Where else in the world would workers be dismissed over an allegation without proof. I am referring to the 12 UNWRA workers sent packing because Israel is allowed to do and say what it likes. It is obvious that  their politicians justify their actions by transferring the guilt to their victims dehumanising them in their rhetoric and condoned by the USA and UK. By the way I don’t agree with what they are doing on my behalf. If only we could sack all our MPs because one was alleged to have done something wrong. Proof not necessary and withdraw funding to boot.  You may think I have been exaggerating but what is reported on main stream tele is a fraction of what is out there and we are fed details that are manipulated and controlled to give the bias our government wants to justify their actions. I am so annoyed that our Christian Society has not taken any action to prevent the murders taking place. What is happening is wrong at every level and I am powerless to put it right. Post World War 2 the trials that took place also accused people who should have done something did not were considered as culpable as the perpetrators.  I hope the future justice system has a memory even just to put our politicians on the spot. It is all a bit conspiracy theory but we, as the general public will be paying for this for years in one way or another. I would not suggest going to the middle east at the moment.

To escape the dreadful cold Gita and I escaped to Spain and Barcelona to enjoy the sun and see our daughter Neema during that time. I could still watch the spectacle on line. The plan was to do allot of walking and enjoy the sea air.

 If you have been to Barcelona  and contracted Gaudi-itis there is so much more there in museums, monuments, gardens and castles. We stayed in a four star hotel on the top floor with balcony that was big enough for a table and two chairs. Nice to sit in the sun even on a winter’s day enjoying a coffee or a beer relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the main street below. I did visit the bull ring which is no longer used for bull fighting but is still used for entertainment. Walks along the sea front beyond the “W” building. 

Also on the walks was the cactus garden in the grounds of the Miramar hotel. Quite spectacular. We were high enough at the Miramar to over look the city and take some photos of the spires of Barcelona Cathedral and Sagrada Familial. I was dragged along by my shopaholic and visited some very interesting shops that seemed to have a small motorcycle on display.

 Being away we had many meals out some at Neema’s flat but breakfast was at the hotel in our room. It was aided by having a kettle to boil water for tea and hot water bottles and a small fridge for milk, cheese, ham and beer.  Such luxury with fresh bread for breakfast to start the day. I gave it a five star rating.

Almost at the end of January we were back home as the temperature was going up enough for me to have a ride out on the LE and a Saturday trip to see Coops at Whitchurch in the Burton to see the progress on the new El Cid cover along with a replacement battery for the one that failed over the winter months. There will be more photos when it is ready.