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...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
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Drawing You In
Our resident cynic Ren is bemoaning the tactics of salesfolk. It's a trap - IT'S A TRAP!! Anyone would think shops have to sell things to make a profit.
Not Much To Report, Save For More Wonderous Views
All in all it's a fairly uneventful day on the road for Andy as he makes his way homeward bound. The scenery is good, the accommodation too, although the big GS has a "moment".
A Day Of Classic And Vintage Vehicles
A rest day for Bogger? Hardly. There's classic and vintage and fast motorcycles and cars. There's posh places and new friends. Food and booze too much as you'd expect.
Anaerobic Gasket Maker
Anaerobic Gasket Maker?!? What the deuce is that? Well between Ren's mumblings and memories you might find just the merest hint of useful information. Maybe...
Cracks, Vultures, And Cow Jams
Andy is having a fascinating ride through Spain today. Cows that won't "moooooove", gaps in the scenery, gaps in the tarmac, and he's trying his hand at geology.
Skeggy Epilogue
In the final reckoning was the trip to Skeg-Vegas a rip-roaring failure or and majestic success? Neither - but you already knew that. Still, here's Ren's tuppence on the issue at hand.
Everyone Has Their Troubles
A long, cold and moist ride today for Bogger and Pete. Turns out their host isn't having the best of days either. Fear not there's still beer and smiles.
Prologue, Rain, Lost, And Hot
Another short winter break in Shropshire. This time Much Wenlock provides the location and the weather does what winter weather does. It'll be fine, hopefully.
Much A-Wenlock About Nothing
Title page for a short winter break in Shropshire.
Better Weather, Getting High, Warm And Cold
Andy is still heading homewards while doing some serious looking around. Mountains, a castle, miradors, and architecture today.
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Drawing You In
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The VStrom 650 is an excellent option Upt'. It has a long history with a solid reputation for reliability. It's been going so long and has been popular that there's tons of parts and farkles in the aftermarket. And as it's still a current model but been "superseded" by the 800 - Suzuki can sell 'em (relatively) cheap. But alas it's that fuel consumption - Fuelly.com seems to suggest around the typical 55-65 mpg mark. It's not bad... but it's not 80.
The shop experience can vary by day and by salesperson (all bases covered there). I've met enough salespeople (doesn't roll off the tongue) to understand like real people they're all quite different. From the smarmy to the meek, from the charming to the rude, they come in all shapes and sizes.
I had a friend who was a car dealer, used cars and some of them were "aging poorly". He told me some folks LIKE you to approach them, give them the old smooth sales talk, be super charming and agreeable. If you weren't attentive and doffing your cap they'd see you as rude, disinterested and up yourself. Others don't want to be approached - if they want you they'll come to you otherwise you're bothering them, hassling them. Some folks want facts and information not charm or "suits you sir".
For myself personally I like "Hi there, anything I can help you with - no? Well I'm over there if you want me." Acknowledge my existence, be polite, show you're interested but leave me alone. Also answer my questions with facts not opinions if you can!
The point of this post is to remind us all that what is in an advert is meant to draw us in. Take movie trailers - they never show the boring bits and they're hyped up to be a life changing experience when all you're getting is a movie. If you drink this drink you'll be cool and sexy, you're life will be filled with glee - it's can of pop innit. Well this shop has the bike you want at the best price - or does it?
When I got into motorcycling I thought I'd be cool and sexy. Needless to say that never happened but more by good luck rather than design it turned out I rather enjoy riding bikes.
21/05/2026 15:53:57 UTC
Drawing You In
said :-
So you like shops just like you like the Orange Cockwomble. Hmmmmm.
I've never trusted a salesman, I mean they want to sell you some'at don't they. Other gender of sales persons are available, possibly even non binary, whatever that is.
But, there's always a but, we've bought two new cars in the last three years and it wasn't TOO bad an experience. They took no for an answer to some of the added extras and the deals were done. There was one dealer in The Borders who didn't get our money, they were talking nonsense and thought we were born yesterday, which unfortunately for them and us we weren't.
I can see you on a VSTrom 650 Ed, brand spanking new ones are going real cheap. But you probably won't get 70 to the Imp.gallon.
Upt.
21/05/2026 09:45:46 UTC
Drawing You In
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Thanks Maca.
Sharon and I were meandering around a shop with plenty of stock the other day. There's lots and lots of lovely bikes available but there really are only 2 bikes out there in the market at the moment that are keeping my attention. The CB500X which I already own and the NC750X.
Why? Economy - that's why. My bike regularly returns 78-85mpg. Sharon's Z500 also returns similar figures and it's a lovely thing to ride but for myself it's just a little bit too physically small. Plus there's no real estate for all my trinkets, accoutrements and farkles with it being a naked bike. My issue with the CB500X is how ridiculously hard it is to get to the tappets - that's why I'm looking at the NC750X. But the NC750X has the fuel cap under the rear seat where my tent and saddlebags are - making filing up on tour a faff. DOH!!
Bogger... you're a genius...
21/05/2026 08:12:05 UTC
Drawing You In
Bogger said :-
If you want a new bike just go and buy one. If the price isn't right just go and find one that is.
Bogger
20/05/2026 15:22:37 UTC
Drawing You In
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Ooh Ren, tending towards the political. But of course you're quite right. Not being a frequent habitué of bike shops (or any other sort to be honest) I haven't experienced this sort of thing too often. You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time.......
20/05/2026 10:06:17 UTC
Drawing You In
Maca said :-
Ren, I’ve been reading the posts on your web site for many years now. The reason?, because you and your band of regular contributors are honest/truthful people. You’re not trying to sell me anything, when you comment about something it comes from the heart.
I’m not sure when dishonesty became acceptable for so many people but unfortunately it has..
We’re doomed captain, doomed…
(The 750X does seem to be one of the best all round ‘honest’ bikes)
20/05/2026 07:59:17 UTC
Not Much To Report, Save For More Wonderous Views
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Aaaaaah I get ya nab301 - they is long so like a stretch limo innit. Thanks - no longer befuddled Ren.
14/05/2026 16:50:31 UTC
Not Much To Report, Save For More Wonderous Views
nab301 said :-
Quote Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
"What do you mean "stretch canoes"
Ren , I'm obviously losing it , the canoe like conveyances on the canal in photo # 7 ? I'm not nautical but they don't appear to have a conventional transom so my pea sized brain assumed canoe with seven "seats" = stretch canoe (stretch limo?)
Nigel
14/05/2026 15:37:38 UTC
Not Much To Report, Save For More Wonderous Views
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Eating Potato Dauphinoise in the street! You've gone feral fella. Nice piccies though.
Upt.
14/05/2026 10:40:14 UTC
Not Much To Report, Save For More Wonderous Views
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
What do you mean "stretch canoes" nab301?
Yeah Andy does take some rather nice images in rather nice places. I'm not envious, not at all, no. Pffffft.
14/05/2026 07:37:06 UTC
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nab301 said :-
I can (possibly mistakenly!) remember in the 70's, petrol (post decimalisation) being 30p per gallon ,my Yamaha 80 (yes it was a two stroke) could be filled for 50p , 1.5 gallon tank but when I search I'm told that petrol prices at the time were around 90p per gallon... it was however a time of shortages, queues, abusive customers , (working part time in a filling station, no different from today I guess) and exponential price rises but still a lot cheaper than todays €1.90 per litre / €8.62 per gallon.
Nigel
09/05/2026 17:28:34 UTC
Glyn said :-
Just to add my bit, I remember 3 star petrol ( that had to be mixed with oil in my bantam ) was three shillings and six pence a gallon! I’m so old I cant be arsed to do the conversion to this modern day numeration stuff. What was wrong with 12 pence in a shilling, a florin, a half crown, 10 Bob etc? I would add that my first wage packet was for £4 per week out of which was deducted 10 shillings and 3d for whatever the government needed it for. Hopefully it was better spent back then. I’ve just spent a week in Munich and either the authorities have more money or they’re spending it more wisely. Not a single pothole to be seen anywhere.
09/05/2026 10:58:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
A pound a gallon!!!! Robbery!!! Mind you ROD that's back when a pound was the average annual wage.
Let me think. When I started riding I can still picture the sign at Gilsons Garage, £1.65 per gallon. And it was a pound for a can of pop in the club.
Today it's £1.52 per litre or £6.90 per gallon. I'm paying over bloody £3 for a bottle of cola. On my straw poll cola is a bit cheaper or petrol is more expensive these days, but not all that much!
09/05/2026 06:18:33 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I was about to respond but I thought Ian would trump me with lower prices for a pint.
My pints when first going decimal were 12p for special mild or special bitter.
I also seem to remember a conversation where people were saying that they would stop driving when fuel reached £1.00 per gallon!
I hope things improve with your knee Ian.
The doctors advice to strengthen surrounding muscles sounds good.
08/05/2026 12:03:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
20p a pint? Extortion. My first pint was in the High Force Hotel after a school walking club hike from High Cup Nick, passing the crashed Wellington(?) bomber up on the high fells and fording the Tees just above the waterfall. We must have been mad as any slip would have seeen us doing a Professor Moriarty. I remember the beer as being 1/9d (one shilling and ninepence) or about 9p in new money.
You lot don't know you're born although it's more recent in your memories than in mine.
In other news, visited a physio yesterday who confirmed I have a torn meniscus in my kne. Basically not much can be done other than exercise to strengthen surrounding muscles, and time. Maybe up to a couple of months of the latter....
Surgery is no longer recommended.
08/05/2026 10:15:18 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Goodness me you're REALLY old Upt'! When I were an 18 year old yoof my night out was a fiver. £2 of petrol into the H100A (2 stroke, this is what put me off 2 strokes). 2 quids worth of juice would see me right for a full week's riding. A whole £1 to get into Maxime's Rock Night in Wigan, leaving the remaining £2 for 2 cans of Coca Cola. I'd spend the evening failing to gain the affections of various "rock chicks" then ride home through the cold and the rain.
It was this time in my life I gave up drinking. The nights I was sober and failing with the girls were much more fun than the nights I got drunk while still failing with the girls. Sleeping in a warm bed sober is so much nicer than trying to sleep on Wigan Bus Station with a hangover.
Right - I have reviewed Ian's words and images re compressing the string. Now armed with the diagram and a better comprehension I can see the problem. This all leads me to be thankful I live in a time where we have hard rubber cush drives, it's a wonder anyone from the 40s and 50s has and fingers left!
08/05/2026 08:15:07 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Made me think....yes I know....I shouldn't.
I'm sure the first pint of beer I bought in the late seventies was about 20p in new money. It would have been in Talke Working Mens Club in North Staffordshire, it had a great snooker room underneath the main building. Happy days, I was probably running a Gilera Trial 50 and petrol was 17 new pennies a litre.
Upt.
07/05/2026 17:19:34 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Show off. Don't come on this ere forum for the aged flaunting your wealth. It's tough being a pensioner you know. I remember when you could go to the flicks, catch a PMT bus there and back and have a bag of tripe and chips in proper newspaper for 10 bob. Maybe even play around on the back seat of the bus too!
Tell that to the kids today and they won't believe you.
07/05/2026 17:11:24 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
What ya gonna do with the £3.64 that you could steal from my account Upt'?
07/05/2026 15:32:10 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed, of course I'll oblige. You deserve it.
Please post you bank account and credit card details including your security and pin's and I'll get right onto it. You're welcome.
No what should I spend it all on?
Upt and Sincere.
07/05/2026 10:19:34 UTC
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Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've sold a couple of bikes as well as some parts through facebook and also bought three. All were easy smooth transactions with no problems or horrifying after-effects. Given the plunge in old bike prices I'm not too bothered about folk seeing what's in my shed despite the theft a couple of years ago. I think that was planned and done by someone who knew what was in there. Probably one of the cowboy paving / landscaping contractors who were ripping us off at the time....
The little Bessa is on FB at the moment - 700-odd views, 65 watchers. Most of the latter probably people with a similar bike seeing what they fetch. A possible sale fell through when I texted the wrong person my address. Ho hum.
21/05/2026 10:13:17 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Presently here but no daring motorcycle stories, which I'm glad about this wee dreich Scottish morn. Although there are some very damp and miserable German GS riders braving the ride. Fools.
There's no fool like a German fool. Other fools are available.
Upt.
21/05/2026 10:02:34 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
When you say FB Ian I'm guessing you mean FaceBook Marketplace? I've got rid of some junk on FB Marketplace by advertising it for free - it's usually gone within a few hours. 2 big old mirrors went to a Goth lady who was going to break them to make some kind of sparkly dress which I thought was dangerous but cool. 2 crusty taps went to some fella for the sink in his garage. Some old saddle bags went to a yoof for his college books on his bicycle.
How do you get on for selling bikes though? I'd be worried about randomers turning up on my doorstep and poking around in my shed. There'll be tyre kickers, time wasters and thieves scoping the joint for an imminent return. Have you had much luck with FB?
21/05/2026 08:21:29 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've decided against the dealer route and have put the BSA up on FB etc and as a penultimate resort will put on ebay. Last resort will be an HJ Pugh auction. Two similar - but much poorer condition - bikes went for £1500 each in their last sale. As for the replacement, there are several Chinese 250s under £1500 on ebay like this one so it shouldn't be a problem.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157875330751...
16/05/2026 10:06:27 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, hope it all works out in a mutually rewarding sort of way. You got me thinking, when did I last buy a bike from a dealer and when did I last kick-start a bike.
Same answer....2008. Time flies when you're having fun.
Upt.
15/05/2026 18:53:55 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Just popped (well struggled through traffic) to Wolverhampton to have a look at the Herald. It looks very tidy - no rust / scrapes etc. I think the dealer's had it a while, and I suspect the idiosyncratic tank emblem has put the yoof off. But he did make me a somewhat derisory offer on the C11. I'm happy to take a hit but probably not that much. So it's on the dreaded facebook and will find its way to ebay before long I think. I accept I will lose money on this one although have enjoyed rebuilding it from a pile of mismatched bits.
He was a decent enough bloke and as his favourite bikes are Norton Commandos - which latterly were built in Wolverhampton - we can probably come to an accommodation pricewise.
14/05/2026 14:50:26 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've been in touch with the dealer and we may be able to put a deal together. I'd like that as it would save all the faffing around selling the Beeza, but I don't want to give it away. And we know how dealers hate sheeling out cash.
I don't polish my bikes Ren, just maintain them carefully so the muck gets wiped off in the process. But you're right it won't be doing 15K miles a year. The engine of the Herald is apparently a Suzuki clone; running gear looks straightforward and the trusty lathe is at had to make unobtainables.
I do have a cunning plan to swap the foot controls over but this may prove unfeasibe. Buut it would match the New Imperial tank badges. For you lot, New Imps were a very highly regarded pre-war make famous for making unit construction engines (ie engine and gearbox in a single casting) when these were a rarity.
14/05/2026 09:54:23 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I had to google "Boreens" nab301 - back roads apparently. I've lived in North West Manchester for 35 years now, I've despatched here, I've been a bike instructor here and I used to think I've been everywhere here. And still I find new roads and new things to explore all the time. I yearn to explore distant lands and yet there's so much within 50 miles of home I've yet to see.
I have mixed feelings about the Herald Ian. I cannot subscribe to the "Chinese bikes are poop" mentality because Sharon's Keeway was a very well made machine that served her very well indeed. However it's not a mainstream brand which means parts might be an issue... or maybe not. Herald bikes are re-badged and slightly re-engineered generic Chinese models so the parts may be very available and very cheap - if you can find a match. I doubt you'll be doing 15,000 miles a year on it anyway and it'll be polished to within an inch of it's life - it'll last forever.
But - will you love it? That's the great unanswerable question...
14/05/2026 08:16:38 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
No, the knee problem put a kybosh on that just when I was ready for the maiden trip. I've emailed the dealer to see if he's interested in some sort of deal. I'd probably lose money on it - the Herald is listed at £1500 which seems quite cheap. The last time I did this was my ill-fated adventure into scooterland and I really did lose out there.
13/05/2026 16:58:48 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ian , the Herald looks good , I reckon a CG125 might be a tad underpowered even compared to the 250 BSA, did you ever get to ride the BSA on the road?
"Quote
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
You can read all about it if you've a spare hour...
https://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=777..."
Ren , I Just spent an hour catching up on this with rain beating off the windows... you got the flavour but could have spent weeks exploring all the Boreens in the areas you travelled through .
I used to participate in this over the years , maybe this year it's time to travel to every corner of Ireland again!
Nigel
https://irishphotorally.ie/map-2026/...
13/05/2026 16:33:10 UTC
Random Link - Review of the Honda NT 400 BROS - By Ren Withnell