Netley Marsh EuroJumble

Netley Marsh is just down the road from the Farm and being a very local bikey event it seemed foolish to not go along! It is depending on your point of view an amazing display of rusting metal or a fascinating opportunity to see some old bikes in various states of repair - their owners likewise! It is good for being a very focussed event. There is none of the usual stalls selling rubbish folding chairs, polishing cloths and the like - there were only two food stalls for goodness sake and they normally take over at these shows. There was however all sorts of old bikes, old bits of old bikes and bits of old bits of old bike for sale. It was also, genuinely, a 'Euro' Jumble with loads of French and Dutch in evidence along with a few Germans and even an I talian I spotted; there were several stalls offering a 'Euro to Pound' exchange rate. Al of this being considerably better than the pathetic European Famers Market held in Romsey a few weeks back witha grand total of 6 traders - Netley Marsh was full of them.
I have not really taken much interest in the Classic Bike scene before and am still not sure I'm ready for the lengthy discussions on valve guides, correct tyre tread patterns and kick starting technique that seems to be required. I still love riding the thing rather than playing with it in the garage. There is also the whole boring Norman bit about Classic Bikers though I did have a chat to a couple of entertaining chaps - I have the beard but that's as far as it goes (and that is an experiment in being cultivated to the extreme lengths required for credible Harley ownership!).
Nonetheless it cannot be denied that while they might not go very fast or stop very well they do generally look great and many of them, even in really good condition, can be bought very cheaply indeed. So may be soething to consider in a few years time then!

Sunday Ride Out

There was a so-called 'Euphoric European Market' on in Romsey today. This translated to a Frenchman selling olives, Turkish Delight and liquorice, a Portuguese lady selling chicken pies, a pancake bloke and someone of uncertain origin selling hats. Euphoric it was not - it was barely a market! Fortunately I had decided to travel on two wheels to join the rest of the family at this extravaganza and so could easily escape for a more enjoyable activity.

Despite filling up the tank as the first activity the subsequent ride pretty much emptied the tank once again - never mind! Went from Romsey down to Ringwood - fairly deserted on the motorway so found a couple of empty sections to exceed the national speed limit (by an amount about equal to .... the national speed limit, oops!) and then headed over to Verwood. Had thought to drop in on the Three Legged Cross Ducati place but being Sunday it was of course closed, not a big deal as I then headed up past the lakes to Salisbury and hence back to Romsey.

Glad the day was not entirely wasted!!

Indicators

The left front indicator on my Honda CBR600F is not well. Not quite sure what happened but the front does not remain attached to the back without copious quantities of Harry Black Maskers at present (black tape for those requiring translation). So in the interests of improving the old workhorse's cosmetics and function I thought I really ought to get a new a one.

Now, we are not talking advanced technology here, no LEDs, no xenon bulbs just a couple of bits of plastic, a screw and a bulb. It is as you can see on th eleft really nothing that special. So whythe hell when I wantto buy one from Mr Honda does the stupid thing cost £54!!! If it was the Ducati I could almost believe it but still would not have bought it! I can get an after market LED version with clear lenses and the works for about £15 so guess what is going to happen to resolve that nonsense.

Latest Phots

Just a few shots taken locally of No.1 bike.