Getting there........... Slowly

At last I got a wiggle on and re-clothed the Sporty, she has been naked since October. Still lots of work to do, as always. I don't think it will ever end! Next on the agenda: Change the handle bars to black 12" mini apes, remove the chrome saddle bag spacers and  chromed rear strut covers. Then that will be all work done until next winter (lower suspension front and back, 21" front wheel, replace the front mudgaurd with a fork brace and change the air breather cover and probably the seat ) A very BIG thank you to Julian at Garage Corbieres at Aniane for the paint

http://type-01.blogspot.fr/

Nuff said!

Day Tripping

What a day, I had been looking forward to going to the Bonhams classic and vintage auction since I first found about it before Christmas. I bought my train tickets straight away to get the cheapest fare.
Full of excitement I left Capion at 6.30 am to comfortably park, get to the station and have a coffee before boarding the train. The train was due to leave at 7.46 am. I made good time to the outskirts of Montpellier then................................................ TRAFFIC JAM!

After what seemed twice as long as it was not moving I finally got moving again, it was now going to be tight to get the train. I drove like a c*nt getting tenser with every set of traffic lights. I finally got to the station parking, which could not be further from the station if it tried! Now it was time to run and run I did. I arrived at the platform red faced and breathless to see my train disappearing into the distance.

What to do now, my 37 euros ticket was non exchangeable, do I go home or get a ticket from the next train? I had been looking forward to going for so long and I still had the the return ticket I decided to get the next train. I did not enjoy the journey to Paris the 108 euros I had to pay for the ticket stuck in my throat, well that and the 2.50 euros coffee!

After all that the day could only get better, it did. Wow, most of my dream vehicles all in one place and what a place. The Grand Pallais built for the 1900 Paris fair is stunning Belle Epoque architecture. After a feast of multi-million $$$$$$$ machines such as grand prix winning Bugati, Le Mans Porsches  and Brough Superiors ( I'm not worthy!) and the entire collection of Garellis factory racers, god I love those small cc racers and so much more fun to watch 50cc-250cc Grand Prix. What happened to the small cc Grand Prix? it makes the Moto GP and WSB look pants!

Well that was my day, I didn't have time for the sights apart from the Champs Elysees which had even more  Chinese and Russians tourists than the last time I was there (10yrs ago) Oh and the train back was 15 minutes late!

Nothing is easy!

I had an unexpected weekend off work, Whoop Whoop! After a light pillow break on Saturday the work re-building the Sporty started. Then a big STOP. Bike electrics are NOT like they used to be in the good old days of Vespa & Lambretta, Oh no! you can't just cut a rejoin wires 'coz there is a freakin' load of circuit boards!   So Saturday was spent working out a wiring plan to re-install the rear light electrics under the saddle and Sunday cutting and soldering the wires (many times). oh well nearly there, lets hope it starts to warm up so I can spend some evenings re-building. I neeeeeeeeeeeed a ride out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow!

So I wake up all excited to start getting the Sporty back together, but no. My son Will came down with gastro enteritis during the night, very messy! So after a morning ringing his Lycée, his work emplacement and taking him to the Dr's It started snowing IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO SNOW IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE! Brrrrrrrrr too cold to be in the shed :(
Oh well another 5 days of work to go before I can start.

Whoop-dee-dooooooooooooooo!

At last I picked up my newly painted gas tanks and bodywork for the Sporty. (yes tanks plural, I have a long distance tank and the classic peanut, a cut down rear fender and the original. If I decide to sell in the future she can be returned to original) I have a grin 9 miles wide and a big hole in my wallet! Photo's on the way when she's all back together, hmmmm now where did I put all those nuts'n'bolts?

While on the subject of the the hole in my wallet. I have agreed on a price for Fabrice's Honda CB 650. She will be arriving late February. Work on the CB won't start until the autumn, too much ridin' to do before.

I ordered the parts to service the 125 Suzy two weeks ago and the still haven't arrived :((((((

Wills Aprilia 50 Classic has broken down again, this time the petcock has broken. After spending too much time trawling the web for a replacement it appears they haven't existed for a good 10 years. God I really do not like his moto  IT IS CURSED!

New Sled for the Shed

A new Moto added to the stable today. I picked up this little Suzy TS125 ER for my son William, He had high hopes for a new KTM Duke. Unfortunately my meager budget wouldn't stretch to that. I was expecting an outpouring of Teenage angst and disappointment. However after a 5 minute test ride around the vineyard he returned with a big grin. Phew! These little old twin shock enduro bikes may not have all the latest gadgets and gizmos but they more than make up for it in the fun factor.

The bike is in far from concourse condition, it needs a good service and tidy up, but William has time to do that    before he gets his 125 licence. I have to admit I am slightly envious as I had been looking for a 70's twin shock (185-350cc) farm bike for myself. I will make do for now having fun watching and helping Will rebuild and ride his little sled.