A bit late as I have had IT probs-yep everytime I am in my person cave and glance over IC the signed helmet that I bid for on line, as well as an earlier Essex Air Ambulance one.
Till I got my Gilera Nexus 500 Maxi Scooter MOTd I hadnt ridden a bike since 2019, that was my Cagiva Raptor that I could well have gone the same way as poor Billywizz a year on. However with help from many I was back up and running but painfull, so I didnt encumber the main rideout and rested up in the Nuneaton Premier, watching bike racing on TV before setting off for the overnight Ferry to Belfast Monday-
It took me a lot to get on that bike to go to Warwickshire, having written off my Aprilia Futura and nearly self with my first ever in 5 decades overnight(3) stopovers in Hospital-16 stitches armfulls of medications and the first time in over 20 years I had a drink, hot todies as the painkillers were not doing much, and a hired wheelchair delivered my Nephew James picked me up in his Merc, not before Samantha at the nearby Undertakers rang asking to speak to a MT Barry Sheene.
Despite it cutting out at junctions it was my then Aprilia Atlantic 500 scoot that gave me the confidence on 2 wheels again, even though my pants werent clean riding over freshly shingled roads and an opaque screen-that was in 2016 and the scoot got neglected over the winter and despite plans to get it tip top, for various reasons finished up travelling light with the Raptor. As well as my old Kangoo with same bike aboard destined fron Inverness. That bike is back up there after sellingit to a guy in Jochland.
Thge Gilera needed new fork seals and had the front brakes_they are interlinked with the back, so MOTd, then she wouldnt restart just around the back of Ferry Motors, but of a Wednesday so they were halfday-my mate with a PA Cresta was due to come around and help me put a replacement bonnet on my Viva after some time in sick bay-the car that is she is now sorted, but all that took a toll on my wallet.
The Gilera needed a new starter motor which meant dropping the engine so I woosed out and they picked it up to back back into the bike shop. Also the mechanic wanted to buy my Aprilia Mille, the last probably of the 4 V2 1000 Italian Stallions, and and promises to do the wiring etc on my Royal Enfield Bullet, which used in its first year in my custodianship, then has been in this Man Cave Spare room 2 more.
Like the Atlantic that got stolen,my aim with the Gilera being also to try use it for distant work,as my knees are badly arthritic now,however to be honest it is a bit of a sod getting in and out of the conservatory, and thru the gate, being shall we say me being prone to what Flymow described as GAV's calammities
I had moved the old Viva from right against the back gate, for it to go back to the workshop, via their van early doors,then after hobbling around to use my bus pass for the third time,the following day to pick her up,came back, didnt get it lined up properly and skidded on the stony drive divide,so the only way I could get it through the gate, resulted in the mirror breaking off.
Fortunately I was given some spare bits.For a change one(and the only left side one had been repaired before and glued but I managed to get that to part with the main arm.
Not sattisfied with that I came back home from a ride and tried to put the beast back in the Conservatory but it was too close to the left side which has a workbench and clothes drier, but loads of my stuff on the right so I opened the throttle and finished up skinning my hand arm and leg on the sliding door that will only close with some effort to the right
My cursing over I vowed to get rid of it! However once I replaced the right hand mirror,I did that yesterday and as it houses the indicator(s) was interestingly therauputically sattifying, particularly the little screw in a spring which did not as one might have expected pling out and dissapear into the piled up junk dans le leanto.
That with a cup that allows the fixed arm and mirror housing to be moved within the casing.The mirrors had to be moved along with the screen to get it in my now gone van to bring the scoot back from Kent. That mirror is actually better located now !
Also the guy who paid me and took my Mille Monday,is buying a house with a workshop but that wont be till July, so whilst I have some old projects (only 7 bikes left now)I have to stop the money burning a hole in my not so deep pockets, at nye on 70 and hopefully not too irreverently, despite very may health ailments I guess all in all given the old adage sunny side up rubber side down(on the blackstuff) still holds good and thoughts of hanging up the ol helmut( I have worn Wroger's tribute one but only on special occassions)are on hold again.
Fezzas not mine but wouldnt mind its worth in cash
