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Created: Sunday, 17 January 2016 19:08

Last Updated: Monday, 20 March 2023 21:11

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Hello,Welcome to my Archived Website

Welcome to my Scratch Pad, Thoughts, Ramblings, and Diary on my activities with my collection of Motorcycles. Please, when reading my Blog remember I am self-taught, often learning to repair my bikes by watching like-minded idiots on YouTube. I am no expert, however, if it's Gearboxes or Electrics I can certainly try to help. I have never laced a wheel or rebuilt a crank. Other than that I'm fairly confident as amateurs go. 

Running nearly a dozen classics my almost daily challenge is the many poorly made components. I have over the years, made a list of decent resellers. Along with those resellers and brands to totally avoid.

Goodness knows what the visiting Japanese thought of the British Motorcycle factories of the 50s. Only to absolutely beat us to death with their innovation 15 years later, as factory after factory closed and British Motorcycles became a thing of the past.

Sure, Today you can still buy Motorcycles branded Triumph, Norton, and more recently BSA. Many of us are pleased to see their names again. But their not the same machines as yesterday.

Like most lads, my first ride was to get me to college. My parents helped me with my first commuter motorcycle. A Yamaha RD200DX. How many reading this drivel can remember the iconic smell and sound of an RD racing a Suzuki X7. or the likes? Our fast two-strokes would often leave larger four strokes sitting in our clouds of two-stroke oil.

Time moves on.

Over the years I have moved from fast two strokes, moving onto Modern Triumphs, and touring Europe on my Sprint ST 1050, and my Thunderbird 1600.  Having suffered a stroke, I found solace in rehabilitation by rebuilding my first British classic. A BSA Bantam.

As the years moved slowly forward, I took the conscious decision to move away from modern motorcycles.  

I currently own several classics. For me, one of the most wonderful things about motorcycling is that it is gender/faith / and politically agnostic.

Once you don a helmet, it matters not your faith, sex, or colour, and in this crazy world that is so quick to judge someone who they call god, or whom they love. Jumping on a bike with a mate is the best way to relax and allows only one thing. Focus on the road.

Once stopped, we often share a giggle and a pint with someone who understands what it means to treat everyone equally and share the bond that is motorcycling. 

Over the years I have traveled all roads to Rome. Exploring the Battlefields of Europe, often alone or with friends who share my love of the smooth tarmac, and some history.

Very Recently ( July 2022 ) I have started touring locally on my T140, with Craven Panniers fitted. My first attempt was challenging, as I opted to go camping. Never again. However, the bike once fitted with panniers attracted some comments and interest. 

My favourite roads are those that lead to a coffee shop, or if I am stopping the night a Pub that offers bed and breakfast.

My favourite road has to be Stelvio, approached from the Swiss side of the pass. Having traveled extensively I haven't had great experiences with the French or the Swiss. France, for me outside the major town, is easily confused as a third-world country. Swiss people ( Not their country ) are in my opinion the most racist people I have ever met. This makes me extremely uncomfortable.

However, I like nothing more than sharing a beer and stories with the Germans, Italians, and Belgium Bikers. For me, they get the passion for biking. No matter how long or lonely the roads are heading south we all seem to end up at the same filling stations and l talking about  Motorcycling. 

Whilst I own famous Brands such as Norton, Triumph, and BSA  my favourite bike is the cheapest bike I've ever bought. Whilst out buying my T140e I spotted the rear of an unknown bike. Turned out to be a 59 BSA C15. She's called Dripster.

It's certainly been challenging keeping "Dripster" on the road. But I love her dearly. 

Whilst CoVid has been a terrible time for many, it has offered me the time to study and take on challenges that I would have walked away from. Until Covid, I had pretty much limited myself to maintaining and rebuilding two-stroke motorcycles. Typically BSA Bantams. I was confident enough to separate the crankcases, and rebuild gearboxes, and cranks. Electrically I have made my own looms and upgraded nearly all my bikes to electronic ignition, Bones, Boyer, and Pazon.

with Covid came challenges around an increased time at home and in the Garage, and time to study and watch social media videos of people rebuilding four-stroke engines. My 59 BSA had when COVID struck sat on the workshop lift requiring a top-end and gearbox rebuild. With parts easily available and relatively cheap I took the decision to give the rebuild a go myself. You can see the outcome on the links on the left. 

Through Motorcycling I have a significant social media presence, on all major platforms. My belief is that one only gets out what one puts in. My questions asked and actions may help others dip their toe into Classic Motorcycles. I am happy for anyone to reach out to me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. If I can't help you, then I will hopefully know someone who will. 

So, have a poke around, and feel the vibe that still gives me a buzz more than 35yrs on. 

Cloughie 

x

 My 69 Norton JPN Painted Fastback. 
 

Once the weather in the UK allows I am riding one of my bikes nearly every evening. Typically r riding with my wingman locally.

You can use the contact form on this website to contact me. I welcome all correspondence from friends old and new. I believe strangers are merely friends that I have not yet been introduced to. 

One may question my logic, owning several far more expensive machines, my goto Motorcycle was bought whilst I was buying my T140, It's a 1959 MK1 C15 Star. It struggles to hold oil, and it is on my list to rebuild the engine in the summer of 2022.

To read more and see my current portfolio of machines. Simply click on the link.