Tales from the Saddle.

"Preamble and Preowned"

Page 2 of 2

Why Bike and What Bike?

1980  I make no apologies for buying a scooter. I missed the fresh air on my journey to work so much after selling the Bonnie that I had to buy something cheap, economical and reliable. This subtly coloured Vespa 90 did them all. I have to admit that it was fun to ride too!! Flat out cruising at 48 mph still gave 140 mpg. The faster it went the smoother it became. It felt and sounded like a turbine. Unfortunately it was too small to be comfortable but I enjoyed out-cornering big bikes in the wet! I think it cost around £130.  I traded it in a year later for a brand new P200E Vespa - not a wise decision.

1981 - 82   Because of the charm and reliability of this little Vespa I bought another one, a 1981 Vespa P200E. It was sturdy, reliable and thirsty. I think the big screen was responsible for the difficulty it had in going over 55mph.   If I kept the speed below that, then 70 mpg was possible, same as my Bonnie, but it would rise to an appalling 55 mpg when pushed. The back tyre was bald in 5000 miles which surprised me. It died a death fourteen months later when I ploughed into the back of a car at 20 mph that in turn had hit the side of a jack-knifing petrol tanker. It folded across the footwell, I broke my wrist and had to have some stitches in my chin.

Early 80's Just thought I would pop in this £10 bargain - A Honda 50cc moped. Unfortunately it cost my father dearly when he borrowed it and tried a bit of roll reversal by pulling out in front of a car. He returned home battered and bruised but nothing broken thankfully.  The Renault 4 received a dent on the roof from my father's head. Thank God for crash helmets. The moped was then sold for £5 scrap.

1984 - 1990 1984 CZ250 2 stroke twin.  (I think the cat was Wookie - note his cat flap and ramp below the window) The insurance for the scooter paid for a chunk of the wedding which meant now I did not have two wheels. A friend at work called the CZ a "Wing ding" on the account of it going "Wing ding ding ding" on the over-run. It was purchased because I missed two wheels so much and it was the cheapest 250 on the market at £199. You pays yer money and yer takes yer choice.  I think it was made from case hardened cheese. It struggled to get above 35 mph at times, and devoured piston rings. When they broke the engine had to be removed, washed out and upturned to remove the bits. The cause? The pistons were in the wrong bores and the ring ends were catching on the ports - I kid you not!!  New pistons and rings and away she flew up to 75 mph. Unfortunately the crank bearings were not up to it and one day when it refused to start I pushed it to a breaker who gave me £30 for it. Fair gleaming it was too!

1989 - 1999  The Vulgar Velo, as mine was nicknamed, was a 1961 LE Velocette, 197cc, side valve flat twin, 7 bhp, water cooled, shaft drive, 4 speed.  Although it was very reliable, economical, useful and full of character, it was also dog slow. Maximum speed was around 50 mph but any hill or wind would reduce it dramatically. I kept it for ten years and over 30,000 miles but the slowness and its need for some major repairs made me sell it.  During those years it was a great hobby and a cheap form of transport. It played its part in me coming to know Jesus too. Read all about it in "One Man and his Velo" on this site.

2000 to present  After much searching I found what I had been looking for. On an American website but for sale in England was a well cared for 1984 Honda 500 SilverWing. The last owner had it for 14 years and the total mileage over its 16 years was 20,000. I would have preferred a 650 but I'm not complaining. With a 80 degree V twin, water-cooled engine, luggage, shaft drive it is a good tourer: reliable and sturdy but only returning 50 mpg at 70 mph. (Less than my diesel estate car). The redline starts at 9700, and things get a move on at 6000, but such revs are not necessary on this torquey twin. Reminds me slightly of my old Bonnie.

2006 to 2007   Work introduced car parking charges at £2 or £3 per day and it moved me to find an alternative to using my car. I wanted to preserve the Wing so after bidding on Ebay I found what I had been looking for. A 1987 Honda Cub Economy 90 for the princely sum of £220 plus a trip to Devon and I became the 5th owner of one of 50 million Cubs produced since the late fifties. Querky with no clutch lever, leading link front forks, single leading shoes and what appears no shock absorbers, the Ebay Express gives a distinctive ride, but it does do 120mpg, will reach 50 mph, costs £15 per year to tax and £25 to add to the Wing insurance. I now save £60 per month on my transport costs and guess what? I'm beginning to like it! The enclosed chain, panniers, and screen make it a perfect commuter bike. If only I get the hang of the gear change....Oh yes, week 1 I ran out of petrol (no reserve) and week 3 gave me a puncture, my first ever on the road flat in 37 years of two wheels. BUT
After two months I decided to sell it. It was unsuitable for the commuter rush along dual carriageways, ring roads and the like. I was driven at, ignored, not seen, pushed into the kerb - I could go on.

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