I might be having sensible thoughts

[Itsme]

Hi Thumperteers

I am not well known amongst my friends for being sensible. I sometimes get asked what stupid ideas I've had recently. This is why I like Thumper Club. My BMW, Harley, Honda riding friends never got my obsession with JAWA/CZ or Royal Enfields whereas here everyone appreciates their merits.

Recently I have found myself wrestling (some would say endlessly and tediously) with owning a Suzuki Inazuma (Newzuki) and a GN250 (The Mighty Midget) at the same time. I love the Mighty Midget, but it is slow, uses oil and needs some tlc. I don't particularly like Newzuki, but it is quick enough for me, reliable and able to go long periods without maintenance. I now have the fairing off it and have a single headlight instead and a small screen and it handles well and is ok, even though the riding position is slightly too far forward for my hurty shoulder.

I neither need nor want two bikes which I know might seem odd to some of you, just accept it as being my position on life, so one has to go. The only sensible option is to keep Newzuki on the road due to it being the superior tool, do all of the necessary work on The Mighty Midget to make it reliable again and then sell Newzuki as I really do prefer the Mighty Midget.

So that is what I intend to do. Unless..............

Ian

[Moto63]

Top news Ian. I really don’t think you’ll regret your decision. Given what you’ve said in previous posts you obviously love the “Mighty Midget” so I personally think it will be time and no doubt money well spent. Keep us posted on any developments. Oh and best of luck with it 👍
Cheers, Michael

[themoudie]

Aye Itsme (Ian),

I am going to be the proverbial ........!

I understand where you are going and would use the Newzuki, whilst refurbishing the "Mighty Midget", then once completed revert to the MM and flog the Newzuki to cover costs, or some of them. 

However, this beastie appeared at the autumnal meet up of the Scottish Classic motorcycle Club, last Sunday and I suspect you might have wobbly knees! 

If anybody wants to have a guess at the make and model of 435 XUW, without trawling the DVLA website , I'll post an answer at the end of the weekend.

Good health, Bill

[Itsme]

Hi Guys

Michael, thank you for your encouragement and I will keep you informed of progress. I SORN'd the Mighty Midget today to make sure I get on with the job.

Bill, my guess is a JAWA Californian with a 634 series 350 twin motor and a Perak trailer. I hope I am not going to end up looking silly!

Ian

[iansoady]

I think Bill meant the one behind which is definitely a pre-war Matchless and I would hazard a guess at a Model X?

[Moto63]

No. I think Bill meant the JAWA 🤔🤷

[Itsme]

I hope he did or I will really look silly!

Ian

[themoudie]

I think Bill meant the one behind which is definitely a pre-war Matchless

I did indeed mean the "one behind...." as the mystery bike. I'll say no more until the end of the weekend

As for the Jawa plus trailer that was supposed to be a tease towards your penchant for the manufacturer and another possible alternative machine Itsme. 

Thank you all, for taking a shot at the mystery bike.

Good health, Bill

[Itsme]

Hi Bill

Thanks for the lovely shot of the JAWA, it did indeed give me a little moment of thought about other bikes that I would like to ride. However like most things these once cheap runabouts are now out of proportion with cost to their actual worth as transport.

As for the Matchless I agree with Ian S about it being a Model X. Didn't Morgan also use the Model X motor in some 3 wheelers?

Ian

[themoudie]

My apologies to all Thumpeteers having said,

If anybody wants to have a guess at the make and model of 435 XUW, without trawling the DVLA website , I'll post an answer at the end of the weekend.

I have left it a week too long!

So, the bike is a Matchless Silver Hawk and very it nice it was too. Just finished and brought out for a canter on a sh!te day, with plenty of rain and every tattie merchant in Perthshire carting the fields onto the roads!    I have put the Wikipedia link below, in case anybody wants to know more.

Matchless_Silver_Hawk_info

Good health, Bill

[iansoady]

Thanks Bill, I don't think I've seen one of those although there might be one in the National Motorcycle Museum. But good to see one out and about.

The Jawa was quite interesting as well!

[Steve Lake]

A rare beastie indeed Bill, would never have guessed ... great pics too

[themoudie]

The only reason I have an interest is that its a Matchy and I rescued the entire rear suspension subframe of one from going to the scrappy in 1970, complete with adjusters and springs. It sat round the back of the garage, at home, under a sheet of tin and a tarp, whilst I started out in forestry up in Glen Affric! Mum got fed up with tripping over it, so I advertised it in MCN and a very nice man turned up at the house and offered Mum £50 for it.

Remember, no mobile phones and only a telephone box in the village, half a mile away from the bothy! Mum rang the telephone box, a local was passing, took the message and when I arrived back at the bothy after a day on the hill, I was able to return the call, reverse charges  and agree the sale. Mum was delighted, Dad thought the whole thing mad and I had gained nearly two weeks time wages, tax and NI free. 

A Matchy Silver Hawk will always make me wonder if it is that old back end fitted to the bike in front of me?

Good health, Bill

[Moto63]

Cracking story Bill. Reverse charges. Remember having to do that a few times for various reasons back in the day🤦🤣....hee  hee Those were the days eh.
Cheers, Michael

[Steve Lake]

not forgetting press button 'A' or 'B' . we used to pass 4 phone boxes on the way to skool, always pressed the B in each one ... quite a handy augmentation of our measly pocket money on occasions