oldies ride out

MMM,

Steady drizzle,freezing cold

-the perfect sunday morning in early June;

“must go on a bike ride

in the mist shrouded hills above Limoges

with a load of ancient bikes”

The event was a meeting

of the” Limousin amicable des motos anciennes”

A 90km ride around the hills of Ambazac

punctuated by the usual( frequent) stops for refuelling

(of the lard type-pate, cheese,sausage,red wine

the usual French “light” snack.)

The inevetible breakdowns occurred

and the accompanying car/trailer combinations were put to use.

Nonetheless it was a great ride,

and when we got back to base

-the sun came out!

More wine and hearty food followed

and we all admired the assembled bikes;

Heres a lovely little Monet Goyen

LOOK -the motor is a villiers!

One of the more modern bikes

Bob and his Norton Dominator

FOR THE ANORAKS-

the motor is a replacement 600 twin

not the original 500

and the front brake is from a Triumph

There were lots of Motobecanes

Proud owner

check out the ancient lid and safety footwear!

Now thats a beauty-a 500 twin portt single

and what a stylish mudguard!

Lots of strange marques

some nice BMWs

But the star prize goes

to the pilot of this 1925 Gnome Rhone

NO SUSPENSION

NO FRONT BRAKE

500 SIDEVALVE SINGLE

The owner sported period gear,

breeches, brown leather cavalry boots,

woolly jumper and cork pudding basin.

But BOY

could he ride?

He was overtaking(and undertaking)everything

including a 1970s V7 Moto Guzzi

being ridden “enthusiastically,”shall we say …….

TRULY AMAZING

the highlight of the day !

A good meeting and so refreshing

to see bikes not overrestored

and actually being RIDDEN as intended

Name and shame

Whats in a name?

My name is Cheetham-yes I,ve heard them all!

My Dad was a chartered accountant before retirement.

Could you remember your accountants name?

Probably not.

EVERYONE remembered Jack Cheetham,the accountant-SUCCESS GUARANTEED.

(a bit like Mr Lamb the butcher ,Mr Plug the plumber etc)

When I was at school in the 60,s in Stoke on Trent,

the Head of parks and cemeteries was Mr Dyer;

the chief fire officer-Mr Burns,

chief accountant-Mr Swindells-GOOD EH?

How about daft names though,

Ophelia Bott for example!

Or our pals grandson-Valentino Duckworth(But then Grandads name is Lancelot!)

Penny Chew?Mary Fairey?

Ignorant or peevish parents?

A chinese shop”moronsworld”

A shelved perfume to be launched in Japan.

Apparantly the Japanese manufacturers wanted a romantic Edwardian name

and picked”My Fanny”(by gaslight fame)

Imagine ”you smell divine Darling -whats that scent?”

“Oh its ”my Fanny”"

Something lost in Translation?

In France there is a transport firm called”Fockadey”(……helps you work,rest,and play?)

They call videos K7(pronounced in frenc Ka-set-gedditt?)

Or K dos for gifts(cadeaux)

The cardinal being considered for the Popes job,

last time round was Cardinal Sicola-POPESICOLA

I dont think so…….

How about the Toyota MR2 in France?

“emm air deux”-MERDE (shit)

Motorcycles dont escape

A catchy French bike name?

-send me any names that you know that will tickle a rib or two

How about a Japanese crash helmet ”breakwind”

The yamaha Freewind of course

Or the latest limited edition MV Brutale to be launched in Germany

“THE WALLY”

Can you believe someone didint check????