Weekend debrief

[guest7]

Not a bikey weekend at all, but a grand day in the Carrick household because we got our boiler fitted. We haven't had hot water for weeks so it's been a case of heating pans of water on the stove. All very 1940s, but pants.

The boiler came via my friend Andy who's a heating engineer. He'd been called out to a business to replace the boiler, but realised it wasn't actually broken. However, he wasn't being paid to fix it so he swapped them over and kept the old one. I have yet to agree a price with him, but it's going to be cheaper than buying a new one (and this one is only three years old).

Another friend fitted it for a not unreasonable £150. His pipework is a thing of beauty, it nearly makes me cry to see how much better his soldering is than mine and his 'sets' are lovely.

I did manage to sort out having some welding done to my new sidecar chassis and I also cut some steel for my other new sidecar (even I'm getting confused). When I turned up to discuss the welding the bloke was dressed up like a woman (for a workplace prank) and it was surreal having a welding conversation with a serious looking bloke in a fetching black wig.

I'm not having a trip to the pub tonight, I'm going down to Garage #2 to sort it out, it's a tip atm.

GC

p.s. Calling Pat - sorry, between having a cold and getting this boiler sorted I haven't been able to get out to you. If the offer still stands I'll call over this week... what evening suits you?

[Steffan]

back from a three day family outing to London. exhibitions on Byzantium and Babylon, two 3D Imax flicks and a simulator ride at the various museums. Saw loads of bikes and one bike shop from a cab window.

Got back slightly insane from being in a confined space with my kids. Managed an hour in the shed - fitted some stainless to the bullet and the new heaters inside the handlebars.

Back to the millstone tomorrow.

Steffan

[mini-thumper]

My ego took a good bashing on Saturday as I failed miserably in my efforts to ride Smudges outfit back from Edinburgh to Derby. In my defense:

• a)  it was the first (and probably last) time I'd ridden an outfit
• b)  the weather was poor and probably going to get worse
• c)  I was over three hundred miles from home
• d)  the bike (an XBR500) had been stood in the garden and not run for three months
• e)  did I mention that I'd never ridden an outfit before?

If any two of these had been removed ie. better weather, nearer etc. I suspect I might have been more inclined to give it a go. But, after a few very wobbly trips around the block both left and right handed, I decided that discretion was very much the better part of valour and promptly parked it back in the garden. Sadly a waste of time and quite a lot of money but I now know that I can cross 'sidecar' off my wish list for good and concentrate on getting the solo sorted instead!

Boyd 

[guest7]

I now know that I can cross 'sidecar' off my wish list for good and concentrate on getting the solo sorted instead!
 

Well you've probably made the right decision. If you had got it home and decided that it wasn't for you then you would still have had to ride the thing back to Scotland.

I think a lot of people give up chairs very soon after riding one for the first time and I can't say that's wrong. If you're not happy then that says it all. I was terrified on my first ride (from Leicester to Cardiff) but I was still having a really good time. It works for me, but that's not to say it should work for others.

I'm just glad your decision had nothing to do with the chair fittings (what I made with me 'ammer) 

Anyway, despite your brief test ride, did my advice help? 

GC

[mini-thumper]

Anyway, despite your brief test ride, did my advice help? 

Weirdly, Yes! You side-carists (out-fitiers?) must have forearms like Blacksmiths! Much respect......

Boyd

[guest18]

Sorry it didn't work out but glad you didn't have the expense of buying/building one in order to find out 
My first ride on an outfit (apart from about 150 metres on GC's one Dragon rally after which I swore I'd never touch one again  ) was back home from GC's to my place in Dunfermline so I understand what the anticipation is/was like   
Like GC says, we indulge in such lunacy for "fun"  if it doesn't feel safe / right, then don't do it!

[Steffan]

I think a lot of people give up chairs very soon after riding one for the first time and I can't say that's wrong. GC

In my case Sidecars gave up on me, specifically when it took a fancy to a four foot block wall on the other side of the road. It didn't even look for oncoming artic's - what ended up a source of amusement for so many could have been a source of mourning for my kids.

Good call Boyd - what is right for some need not be right for all.

steffan

[trophydave]

Good call Boyd - what is right for some need not be right for all.

steffan

Agreed.My only attempt at charioteering ended up with me narrowly missing a parked camper van and stopping just short of a wire fence.Thankfully this was on an industrial estate and not out on the road.A mate who reckons he can ride anything tried one and was doing O.K. until an unsceduled trip across someones garden.Saying that I would like another try,somewhere like the local old airfield where there is loads of room and nothing to run into.

[002]

• a)  it was the first (and probably last) time I'd ridden an outfit

Faggot !           Are you Man or Mouse ?

Shall we Bring Chees to the next gathering ?     


I've been riding outfits for 18yrs now not done me any harm....ish !
Still manage to scare myself once in awhile. 


Jethro

[guest7]

Faggot !           Are you Man or Mouse ?

I'm not sure there's anything manly about riding a sidecar outfit... eccentric for sure, silly perhaps, but manly? I think the picture on the left says it all 

Let's look at sidecar role models:
Wallice and Grommit
Olive and her fella from 'on the buses'
George and Mildred
Two fat ladies

GC

[themoudie]

Sorry it didn't work out Boyd,  and thanks for answering all my queries in two other threads  . At this time of year I can see a chair could be a boon, but I just don't fancy getting stuck at 45 behind a TESCO lorry on the A9 for miles.

There are two BSA A10's with double adults go out to play round here most weekends, when there isn't much salt about and they don't hang about!

I won't think any less of you Boyd for saying "Not for me".

As an aside. Did anybody see 002 on TopGear tonight wearing tinted specs and sounding gruff?  Looked like the DAF variomatic transmission on the Enfield had dulled the gear changing co-ordination a touch!

My regards, Bill.

[robG]

Good call Boyd - what is right for some need not be right for all.

Totally agree Boyd . I made the same decision and took the flak accordingly ,but Steffan is spot on .Those who ride chairs have my respect ,but I will stay on two wheels .

Rob .

 

[guest40]

I always advise sidecar hopefulls to use an 8 oz ball pien hammer first.
instructions
remove helmet
grip hammer firmly in right hand
smack yourself sharply on forehead at least 2 times. When you feel stunned enough to see double then you are ready.
If the hammer is too heavy ,forget it !

If you are already a bit warped, you can forgo the hammer treatment.

My first attempt was a right handed U turn while trying to turn left in Melbourne peak hour traffic.
People heard my crow call a half a block away.
BTW GC did you do the poses for the "Wallace" character. It would figure as you are both in a similar line of work, Hey?

[Dave#22]

In the early seventies I sold a BSA A10 to my future brother in laws friend......we spent all morning attaching a chair to the bike and John (Pats brother) volunteered to take it out for a test ride. After a few seconds we heard a bang, so we ran around the corner only to find the chair stuck inside a Reliant Regal and John frantically trying to extract it. It took four of us to pull it free, all trying our best not to laugh, then the car's owner turned up.......a rather large Traffic Warden......oops.
    Dave
ps needless to say, it put me off, although I wouldn't mind an go in an old Morgan aero........better placed three wheels methinks.

[robG]

BTW GC did you do the poses for the "Wallace" character. It would figure as you are both in a similar line of work, Hey?

I see I'm not the only one to notice this remarkable likeness !

A lovely bit of Wensleydale GC !

Rob .