Spring run

[Rocky]

It was a cool 6C (43F) when I left home for the spring run on my trusty old BSA.
Some of us went for our usual Sunday breakfast gathering before going out to the rendezvous point.
I suppose it was due to the cool temps, but only about a dozen riders showed up.
Here we are gathered just before leaving on the ride.

We rode inland away from the Atlantic Ocean and stopped at a donut shop part way to warm up and grab a coffee. The place was busy and parking was scattered so no group pictures.
We proceeded to the town of Windsor for lunch at the Spitfire Pub.
This is some of us seated for lunch. The very sweet server put us in a room by ourselves - rough and tough bikers don't you know and not to be mixed with other customers
Note the pictures on the wall.

Here are some of us parked in Windsor.

After lunch some riders left on their own or took a different route so only 6-7 were left when we arrived back at the same donut shop for another rest and a cuppa.
By then the temps had come up to around 14C(57F) and the riding was quite pleasant.
Some of us parked up at the donut shop.

It was a 237 km (148 miles) round trip for me with good friends; good food and sunny weather - albeit a bit cool at the start.

 

[Qship]

Was a little cool up this way as well but still got out for 150 kms or so with my wife.(It was Mother's day after all)
Looks like all had a good time in spite of the cooler temps. No sign of it warming up any great amount either. Will just have to dress warmer.
Rocky, is the Spitfire Pub downtown near that Tim Horton's? Have been to that Tim's numerous times. May make it to the pub for lunch sometime.

 

[Rocky]

The Spitfire Arms Pub is right across the street from Tim's.
Service and food is great there. I don't think you would be disappointed.

 

[ChrisAnglophile]

It was a cool 6C (43F) when I left home for the spring run on my trusty old BSA.
Some of us went for our usual Sunday breakfast gathering before going out to the rendezvous point.
I suppose it was due to the cool temps, but only about a dozen riders showed up.
Here we are gathered just before leaving on the ride.

View attachment 44016

View attachment 44017

We rode inland away from the Atlantic Ocean and stopped at a donut shop part way to warm up and grab a coffee. The place was busy and parking was scattered so no group pictures.
We proceeded to the town of Windsor for lunch at the Spitfire Pub.
This is some of us seated for lunch. The very sweet server put us in a room by ourselves - rough and tough bikers don't you know and not to be mixed with other customers
Not the pictures on the wall.

View attachment 44018

Here we are some of us parked in Windsor.

View attachment 44019

After lunch some riders left on their own or took a different route so only 6-7 were left when we arrived back at the same donut shop for another rest and a cuppa.
By then the temps had come up to around 14C(57F) and the riding was quite pleasant.
Some of us parked up at the donut shop.

View attachment 44020

It was a 237 km (148 miles) round trip for me with good friends; good food and sunny weather - albeit a bit cool at the start.

I see Rocky's 441 , in a lot of pics. But wonder , did Rocky , make it into any of the Pictures ?
Interesting set of bikes.
750 Atlas , and some sort of Japanese Triumph. Not Sure about the frame.
The XS650 was said by Test Riders at the time , that this is the bike , the Brits should have built.
It certainly did most what 650's did but was a lot heavier.
How about a shot of Rocky ...?

Chris

 

[DaveM]

Not a bad turnout for you first ride and with the temps being a bit low as they were. You also had a nice selection of different bikes riding with you, cool stuff all round.

 

[ChrisAnglophile]

Not a bad turnout for you first ride and with the temps being a bit low as they were. You also had a nice selection of different bikes riding with you, cool stuff all round.

Hi Dave,
Can U ride around where you are, or do you have to be well prepared.
is ; is it a bit lawless , at certain times of day or Night, and what is it like to out of the City , by your self

Chris.
Isn't Speedmaster a great name for a bike.

 

[Rocky]

Naaah, you don't want to see a picture of me. I'm too big, strong and handsome and would put everyone to shame

I'm hardly ever in any pictures because I'm usually behind the camera.
The Yamaha has a Triumph paint scheme and badges on the gas tank, but it's really a XS650. There are several XS650's in the club and they all run very well.

 

[ChrisAnglophile]

Naaah, you don't want to see a picture of me. I'm too big, strong and handsome and would put everyone to shame

I'm hardly ever in any pictures because I'm usually behind the camera.
The Yamaha has a Triumph paint scheme and badges on the gas tank, but it's really a XS650. There are several XS650's in the club and they all run very well.

I am in the Norton Owners Club New South Wales and there was a lot of resentment at anything that was not British riding with the Club. But that's changed a lot nowadays, because members are of a more sedate age.
Its more , not to modern nowadays.
Those who have ridden the 960 Norton , have said , they prefer the Commando 850 , as a better bike.
Still better after all these years.

 

[Rocky]

When our vintage club started 40 years ago, it was mostly British bike owners and a few Harley riders.
As time passed Japanese bikes began to creep in, but there was never any resentment about them. In fact, they make up a large portion of our membership now.
However, many of us are still British fans with no plans to change.

Our riding season has only just begun and over the summer I'll be posting more ride pictures which will have quite a variety of makes and models.

FYI, this is my BSA 441 Victor that I put a lot of time and money into. It's been back on the road since 2002 and runs like the wind.
The speedo cable had popped a rubber cable tie which is why it's hanging loose in this picture.
It was replaced with a modern cable tie and has never moved since

 

[DaveM]

Hi Dave,
Can U ride around where you are, or do you have to be well prepared.
is ; is it a bit lawless , at certain times of day or Night, and what is it like to out of the City , by your self

Chris.
Isn't Speedmaster a great name for a bike.

Chris it is like most things you become used to the situation and know what to do and what you should look out for. I don't do much riding at night at all even driving the car, more because I find it hard to see at night. Otherwise for the most part I don't really have restrictions with my riding but of course there are areas that I stay well away from, then this is also true of most countries I suppose.

Like you guys were have great weather most of the year and can ride all year round. I have not been riding as I should for the last two years due to an old shoulder injury that I got in an off. I hope to have this sorted out in the next few month but it will also take time to heal.

 

[ChrisAnglophile]

SS

When our vintage club started 40 years ago, it was mostly British bike owners and a few Harley riders.
As time passed Japanese bikes began to creep in, but there was never any resentment about them. In fact, they make up a large portion of our membership now.
However, many of us are still British fans with no plans to change.

Our riding season has only just begun and over the summer I'll be posting more ride pictures which will have quite a variety of makes and models.

FYI, this is my BSA 441 Victor that I put a lot of time and money into. It's been back on the road since 2002 and runs like the wind.
The speedo cable had popped a rubber cable tie which is why it's hanging loose in this picture.
It was replaced with a modern cable tie and has never moved since

View attachment 44033

he sure looks like NEW.
Are you sure , you don't keep it in the Bedroom ! Over Winter.
Not that U need it , you must get a lot of Respect...earned.

I know what will happen, when you do post a photo , it will be with a Squirrel on the Seat ....ha..ha..!
What speed do you do in Gears , does she Vibrate a Bit , how comfortable is she and what speed is she happy at "Thumping alone " and what about hills.
I think these things are what the Younger Riders will want to hear.
They will never have read anything about most older bikes and a forced by peer pressure,
To think , olds no good , just trouble , and not as good as new.
Chris

 

[Rocky]

When I got the BSA it had standard gearing and revved very high at road speed. The vibration was awful at those speeds so I changed the sprockets to higher gearing.
Now I can easily cruise at 55-60 mph (88-96 kph) with not a lot of vibration and it still has good roll-on power. We only ride on secondary roads at those slower speeds anyway so it worked out very well.

 

[CarlS]

Rocky, I am glad y'all were able to get a nice ride in. Great pics! Some mighty fine bikes in that group.

 

[ChrisAnglophile]

When I got the BSA it had standard gearing and revved very high at road speed. The vibration was awful at those speeds so I changed the sprockets to higher gearing.
Now I can easily cruise at 55-60 mph (88-96 kph) with not a lot of vibration and it still has good roll-on power. We only ride on secondary roads at those slower speeds anyway so it worked out very well.