Britbike forum Forums General discussion The Rod and Tappet A Movie Day....

Well as I awoke this morning it was just like being in a movie....

Frankenstein to be precise, then it quickly turned into Forest Gump. Started of with thunder & lightening, then when the rain hit it just didn't fall out of the sky, it bounced upwards too...Nothing for it then but to drag out the Commuter for today's run, with it's barn door fairing it should help with keeping the worst of the weather off me, well that was the plan....

Not a massive ride today, just up the road about 15 or so miles to the tiny Kentish village of Offham, when all classic vehicle owners have a bit of a meet up, totally unorganised and all very impromptu but most excellent all the same, and a sort of end to the year...

Arrived at the meeting point to be greeted by the hardy rider's of the ATOM club, just a handful of lads, most stayed at home wrapped around their warm and DRY houses I suspect....














And an Enfield Bullet, although that photo didn't come out for some strange reason...?


And so with just a handful of lads we hit the lanes that Baza57 had picked for our ride out today, lovely it was too, slipping and sliding in mud filled lanes with the centre line filled with dead fallen leaves, and at one point I was sliding along the road like a Speedway rider. But we all made it to Offham safe and sound, I parked the commuter under a tree and went for a mooch....




This got to me thinking of MAYBE doing this to the Fly Catcher.....





A few cars....














Back to the bikes....












Even had one of them A merry Can cars there...






A couple of 'Ordinary' Bicycles....

And another Merry Can....








High powered machines....










A tractor for the farming types....






And best of all this, what I wouldn't give to own one....












Then we heard a sort of Chuffing sound and this pulled up, but first a photo of what it was....










This is a photo of it's 'Spark plug' just a flame on a rod that ignites the fuel somehow....





Then the rain hit BIG time, so hard I could hear a bloke making an Ark, so we went for sanctuary in the nearest Public house, where a couple of light refreshments were enjoyed, back at the rain soaked Guzzi I hit the self starter, and the Bar Steward nearly didn't start. Just about to give up and away she went, these Eye Tail Ian bikes don't like the cold and wet of Olde Blighty don't ya know....

Not buttering anyone up, but you post the nicest batches of photos with pleasant captions, every time.

Thanx for that, makes my day usually. (not a statement of my life in general)

Awww Thanks GrandPaul dude, just taking photos of what me eyes see is all, and the words just come of of me fingers when I place them on the buttons. Anyways dude all y'all seem to have butter and sugar on everything....Just sayin'....

WHAT IS WRONG WITH BUTTER AND SUGAR????

hee hee

A bit of everything there Shaun ... Thanks for posting .. looks like a nice day out ... worth the weather worries

That is what's known as "hot tube" ignition. That rod is hollow and a bit of fuel/air mix gets pushed up in there each compression stroke. It ignites when it reaches the dull red spot. Moving the flame closer to the head advances the spark. No chance ever of this ignition system failing from high compression but rain or a stiff breeze could be trouble.

Great post btw. I love that steam traction engine.

Well, if we're spreading the butter and sugar, I'll spread a little myself.

First to you for going out in the foul weather and taking all these great pictures and telling us what they are.

Second to the lads of England who will hold an event like this in terrible wet weather and yet bring out all these fantastic machines, not caring if they get wet or muddy because they get USED!

Come spring, I'm going to be out and about, don't care what the weather is, just to be going out and about like you lot do .....

Lannis

Nice yarn there Shaun…

I gotta kiss up a bit too- I’m not afraid of riding in wet weather, I’ve traveled many a mile in the rain… BUT not for “fun”- my rain riding has always been whilst traveling. YOU guys, OTOH, pop out on a Sunday just for the heck of it, rain or shine.
That level of dedication to the sport of casual motorcycling is admirable bro.

Then again it IS England. If y’all waited on sunshine you might never get anywhere.

Gee thanks Guys....

Now listen up right here Lannis me ladio, dude y'all wait till all them new parts in ya are properly broken in and lubed up, before y'all go out gallivanting. Or I'll be over there with a Pointed Stick, and that's AFTER Fay's been at ya....

Best you just settle back and let nature take it's course, then once you can make it to the fettling shed, throw the switch for that 1000000 Watt heater, get them fettling irons out, and do some sit down fettling in the warm, with a mighty BIG mug of PG Tips. Best lay of the Brew for a while lad...

Tom Bro dude, y'all don't speak with forked tongue that's for sure, in fact the forecast this very weekend is RAIN, and it'll be coming in from the West...Guess where the next camp is...YES in the West, the commuter is loaded and waiting along with all me wet gear, got the camera on charge as we speak, that yarn MIGHT be on here soon, just need to dry out first....

I'm always envious of your group rides and local shows. I used to go on club rides with the Ton Up boys when I lived in Nashville, but the only groups I see riding around here are of the Hawg kind.
I rode the Bonnie about 90 miles west to a street fest and show on Saturday. Nice ride, but there was no car show when I arrived. I did see some old 'Merican cars being driven down main street, but nothing show quality. Had a nice chat with some Guzzi riders and rode back home. I missed the monthly local show downtown, but I've seen all those guys before.
Another fine post, thanks for sharing Shaun.

BTW: Here in the South if it doesn't have butter or sugar on it we don't eat it.

The abundance of vintage iron that you guys get out is amazing. Great to be able to get a glimpse! Thanks Shaun.
Don in Niagara