MOTORING

VINTAGE

Motorcycling with Rod Hann

AS I WRITE these words at the end of April the glorious spring weather continues making motorcycling ever more pleasant. I start this month with my photograph which was taken during a recent Dorset Section event called the Bluebell Run. It shows a 1950's Sunbeam S7 machine parked next to a bank of Bluebells at Delcombe Woods. The flowers were at their best and provided a carpet of blue wherever we went. Just about at their peak it does provide a spectacular sight and one for which our area is renown, if only for a few weeks.

Continuing with the theme of events I think all clubs will be busy during the month of June. The Somerset Section have their club night at Cossington on the 2nd. This will be an evening ride and starts at 6-30pm. Next on the 12th will be the Girder Fork and Rigid Frame Run and that goes from Sweets Cafe at Westhay. This is followed on the 16th by an Evening Meet at Spaxton. In addition they also have a weekly morning meet at the Avalon Centre at Westhay on Thursdays.

The Dorset Section follow a similar pattern with their club night at Pulham on the 8th being an Evening Run. On the 12th will be the Blue Haze Run from Warden Hill, this run being intended for those smaller engined two stroke machines. Next they have a Mid Week Run from the same location on the 15th which starts at 2pm. On the 19th will be the Somerset Levels Run which starts at Henstridge. They also have a Breakfast Meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month at Gillingham. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have a social Ploughmans Lunch at Silton on the 13th and on the 26th they have the On the Beaded Edge Run.

Both the Westland and Wells Classic Motorcycle Clubs have a busy month with four events each but of particular note is the Well's club Tortoise and Hare Run on the 3rd. This event raises much money for local charities. For full details look on the respective websites. For anything else you can ring me on 01935 872528.

My ‘Special’ is now officially on the road. The registration process has now been completed and I have fired up the engine. I am uncertain that the oil pump is functioning as it should so this has now been removed for further attention. Apart from that everything seems fine. There are always teething troubles when restoring old bikes so if this is to be my only problem then I think myself very lucky, especially as I have built the whole thing from bits accumulated or stuff I have made. When this is sorted I cannot wait for the first actual ride.

I have written in the past of the pleasure from attending Bike Meets and the social interaction they provide. Always popular they can draw a decent crowd and yet at least two local to me have been forced to close because the cafe owners cannot recruit enough staff to service these events. In my simple mind I find this difficult to believe when our government tell us that there is more people in employment in this country than there has ever been. It seems that few people want this type of work prefering to sit in front of a computer screen either at home or an office. If such events are well attended then surely there is a worthwhile business opportunity for which someone could take advantage. If only I was 40 years younger!

June will bring two events which are very close to my heart. Being a royalist I hope to take part in some of the celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Seventy years as monarch is an occasion no-one will ever see repeated. The second event is my annual trip to Gaydon in Warwickshire for the Banbury Run on the 19th. As I am not involved with the concours judging this year means I can take a bike and be an entrant. This is the biggest event in the world when you can see 500 machines all made prior to 1931, and what is more important they will all be used on the roads. Quite a spectacle they make as they weave their way through the lovely villages of Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. I shall be riding my 1925 Husqvarna and hope for a trouble free ride. Always my favourite event of the year. Sheer bliss.

June is always a busy month with riding events at least once a week and often we squeeze in 2 or 3 runs each week. That is the purpose for which I have a collection of bikes. They are there to be ridden and used for the purpose they were intended. Enjoy the summer months because all too soon we shall be reporting that the evenings are drawing in and another riding season has passed us by.

For that reason I intend to do as many events as I can whilst I am able. As I grow older I appreciate these facts even more. I suggest you do the same.

GLIDEROL GARAGE DOORS

All garage doors are different, so as a roller door specialist, (I don’t replace windows, etc.) I can survey, quote and install to your requirements and make the most of your garage opening, as generally no frame is necessary. With the option of automated operation with remote control, a top quality garage door need only be a phone call away. G.H. SALES. Tel:01935 891414

1950's Sunbeam S7 at Delcombe Woods.

Yeovil Auto Tuning CLASSIC CAR REPAIRS  ● Repairs and Servicing Specialists ● MOT Testing – Classes IV, V and VII also Motorhomes ● Engine Tuning ● Brakes, Clutches, Gearboxes ● Competitive Rates ● Professional, Reliable, Friendly Service ● Specialising in VW T4 + T5 Vans ● Revo Engine Re-Mapping (VW and Audi Group)

Established OVER 30 YEARS