sam
SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
The IAM Aims
To Improve the Standard of Driving and Riding The Advancement of Road Safety The Administration of an Advanced Test
MAKING
SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS August 2011
progress Back to the Future for Mr Grace, page 10
INSIDE P6 Beaulieu Ride In Day.
P7 My TL1000S
P8 Tips on Filtering
P14 Destination Triumph.
Page 1 Round the Harbours Ride Report, page 13
Registered Charity 1097558
SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
Chairman’s chat... Well it’s nearly summer – unless you count the wonderful Easter we had this year. Apart from that, the week ends have been, well, a bit grey ever since. I seem to have spent too many SAM rides wiping drizzle off my visor. But here’s hoping for some blue skies, dry roads, and great rides.
with a rideout, maybe a treasurehunt, some games and the obligatory charred meat products. A SAM Announce will come round shortly to test how much support there might be for such an event. I do hope you will come along and support it – this is something that we want everyone to benefit from. This is what the profits from all those £2 entrance fees is buying so come along and make sure of your slice of the Those of you who made it to the July club night action. will have heard Dave Bruguier’s excellent talk about trackbased training. RiDE magazine com mented that track training ought to be made com This year, a number of members have taken ad pulsory as it’s the only place where bikers can ex vantage of the foreign trip planning services and perience higher cornering speeds, and test the SAM member discount offered by ‘RideWithUs’. Pe braking ability of their bikes at the edges of the tar and Slavica came and talked about their range performance envelope, I agree. And on 1 st August, of trips at our club night in March so I would really 20 SAM members will be doing just that on the like to hear from those of you who have used Club’s first trackday, at Cadwell Park in Lincoln them. If we get poor weather again next year, shire. I hope they have a wonderful time and come maybe a SAMexclusive trip might be just the thing back with lots of photos. We managed to organise for next year. this trip at a cost of just £110 each – that’s £80 cheaper than the standard IAM track training so we are very proud that we have been able to offer Have fun, and stay safe. this to members. Kevin Another great offer is the forthcoming Club BBQ. We would like to make this an enjoyable afternoon
See http://www.solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk/articlesmainmenu37/596farnhamhondaserviceoffers.html for a copy of the voucher & details of the offer to SAM members and associates.
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
Chief Observer’s Report – July 2011 Well, the year may have been a bit slow getting started after the harsh winter weather, but we’ve made up for it since! We’ve been training new Observers, preparing Observers for their Senior Observer test, putting ar rangements in place for a new Observer Cell, as well as the usual training task of preparing Associates for their Advanced Motorcycle Test. A warm welcome to the Observer Cadre goes to the fol lowing members who are either newly qualified or soon tobe qualified as Observers with SAM: Bill Gibbs Simon Dickinson Martin Essigman George Hill Julian Labouchardiere Ian Johnston Andy Anderson Dave Whiting Dave Whymark Peter Curtis
Developing 10 new Observers is and continues to be a consid erable training task requiring commitment and dedication from them and the Senior Observers and moreexperienced Observ ers who have been part of the process. I am extremely grateful for all their efforts. Taking the Observer Cadre up to 37 is about where it should be to cope with the continued training load and ensuring that new Associates are allocated quickly and Observers can train without feeling under pressure to devote more time or effort to observing than is reasonable. (Just don’t ask their partners to define “reasonable” though!) Observers and Senior Observers from SAM have attended IAM training weekends arranged in Wales and Dorset and acquitted themselves well, with favourable comment received on their riding and training standard and the training materials we use. Observers Keiron Parsons, Colin Hitchcock and John Arthur will be taking their Senior Observer tests in the next few weeks and we wish them well. With these new Seniors, SAM will be put
ting a new Observer Cell in place, headed up by Senior Ob server John Parvin. Staying with the theme of Hampshire riv ers, It will be known as the Wallington and Ems Observer Cell, reflecting the approximate geographical area it will cover. There will then be four Observer Cells in SAM: Lymington & Beaulieu (leader Dave Bruguier) Itchen & Test (leader Lilian Hobbs) Hamble & Meon (leader Mike West) Wallington & Ems (leader John Parvin) From May to beginning of July we have had 11 Associates pass their IAM test. Well done to all of them and also to their Ob servers for all the effort that goes into achieving these results. There are currently 62 Associates still under training. Thanks also to all the participants – Associates, Members and Observers – who contributed to making both sets of Level 1 and Level 2 Slow Riding Training such a success. Level 1 and Level 2 Slow Riding Training will be repeated in September/ October if sufficient demand exists. See the SAM website for details and to enrol. And now to one question on riding technique that has come up recently, namely “Do you use the gears to reduce speed rather than the brakes particularly coming into a speed limited area?” The question often represents confusion between what it means to have good acceleration sense and use the appropri ate gear for the speed and traffic conditions and what the ‘system’ says about dealing with speed before taking an appro priate gear. We are not talking about selecting a lower gear for greater con trol via the throttle in certain traffic conditions or while corner ing! We are talking about the habit a lot of riders get into or learned wrongly of using engine braking to slow down their bike in advance of a hazard. If you want to be unkind, it can almost be called, “Grab a gear and hope for the best!” This is because the decision to take a gear is made before the Infor mation phase of the system and any adjustment in Position or Speed has been properly and systematically considered. Remember: Gears to go, brakes to slow! Engine braking only works through the rear wheel; under braking the bike’s weight transfers towards to the front, so traction at the rear is less and in a worse case could lead to a skid. Not to mention the strain on mechanical parts like the, driveshaft joints, chain, sprockets or gear box. It’s cheaper to buy brake pads than have a gearbox rebuilt! Unfortunately, there are also some “advanced” riders who have the idea that using brakes shows poor acceleration sense (sometimes true) but masking that by using the gears so as not to show a brake light is no substitute for developing better observation and easing off the throttle earlier. And when coming into speed limited areas with a reduction of 20 mph or more, e.g. from a National into a 30limit, it is ad visable to consider showing a brake light as part of the Infor mation (Give) phase of the system, even if your engine braking is sufficient to slow you. Other vehicles will not always be ex pecting a biker to slow at the sign, because so many don’t, and your signalling of your intentions could save you from a shunt up the rear! So, on approach to a speed limit, consider all the available in formation, adopt the best possible position for safety, stability and view, brake to adjust your speed down to the limit (not dipping below it and rising again) and take an appropriate gear, considering using block changing if going down more than one gear. Clear enough?
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
From the Newsletter Editor Welcome to the August 2011 edition of Making Progress, the first of many I hope to be involved with as editor. As the ‘new’ editor of the magazine you would expect me to come with my own ideas on how to improve the magazine. Therefore so as not to disappoint you I propose to make the following changes: There will no longer be a word limit to articles. The reason being to make the article a much better read and include the submitted pictures and captions. Long articles (more than 500 words) will span several pages, space permitting, or be split over two or more issues. Alternatively the article can appear on the web with an abridged version in the magazine. Riders Recommend: this is a new section. We all know of or use services supplied by some one (individual or company) who keep us going back, so why not recommend that service to other club members? This will give your club members the opportunity to benefit from your research and supply the service provider with a greater customer base. Favourite Routes: Most of the popular roads are speed restricted, clogged up with slow moving motorists, have double white lines at all the sections where a bike can easily overtake and
are heavily policed. So where can we enjoy our bikes? We all know of roads and routes that are not like that and can still provide an element of enjoyment. So why not share that knowledge with other members of the club. These could include any of the ‘SAM’ ride out routes, ensur ing that those who cannot make it on the day can enjoy the route at their leisure. Send in your route maps, tell us why you recommend the route, what to watch for, the best times to ride, road surface conditions etc. You need not restrict your contributions to routes local to the south of England. Events Calendar: An extract of the SAM event’s calendar at the time of going to press and other motorcycle events to help you plan your next three months, see page 15. And that is not all, for future editions, a problems page, letters section etc, have been proposed. If there are any particular features that you would want to see in the magazine, send them in, all sug gestions will be considered. So there you have it, new broom and all that, giving you plenty of ideas of how you can contribute to your magazine. Take it from me there is nothing better than seeing your story or article printed, so dust off those keyboards, flex those fingers and put them to good use.
SAM Welcomes New Members Roger Clayton Gary Elston Clive Garner John Greenbank Philip Harman Anthony Hoyle Antony Johnson Ian Johston Glenn Miles David New John Harper Nixon
Kenneth Nolan Manmathurai Patel Brian Peacock Mark Redfearn Mark Rowe Doug Saunders Kevin Scott Maurice Walton Richard Williams Kevin Scott
A Major comeback... Sir, the article 'Filter tips' written by Juan Playa which appears in the August edition of your magazine is total balderdash. You motorcycling people should know your place. There is a strict hierarchy to adhere to, with chauffeur driven cars at the top and pedestrians at the bottom. All you 'motorcyclists' are just a bunch of anarchists trying to upset the status quo. Whenever I'd like a little jaunt on my excelsior, in the forties, I would never dare to think about passing a member of the motor car driving elite. What is worse, all this sedition is written by a bally foreigner, the cheek of the fellow. As for being a driver of the excellent Rover 75, I admit I do, (never hankered after a Jag, well not since they sold out to the Germans). A good British motor car for good British roads I say. And as for making fun at my moustache, I'll have you know I keep it in perfect shape and wax it every day whilst driving to my club. It is the epitome of a handsome handlebar. Ok enough said, carry on. Benson H. Edges, Major (Ret.) 1st Royal Hurrahs
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
George James Bunkin BEM 5th April 1940 3rd June 2011 George sadly died on the 3rd June at the age of 71 in the presence of his loved ones. The lung condition that he had developed earlier in his life eventually caught up with him, but he still managed to joke with his grandson Kyle and daughter Maria shortly before passing away. George joined the Royal Navy as a boy of fifteen and reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He remained in the navy and then worked as a civilian from HMS Sultan for 32 years. It was probably the environmental conditions he endured during those early years that contributed to the illness that would claim his life.
George and the RNMCC raised nearly a quarter of a mil lions pounds for charity.
George was a long time member of SAM having joined in 1994 and was one of the first members of our club with a member ship number of 34. George more than personifies the ethos that we as a club hold dear; his list of credentials are very impres sive. As a keen motorcyclist he strived to pass on the skills and training he had gained to others. George was a founding mem ber of the Royal Navy Motorcyclists Club (RNMCC) and their chairman until he became too ill in the last year of his life. He passed his IAM advanced test in 1984 and had been an instruc tor for RoSPA (initially RAC/ACU) since 1983. After leaving the Navy he set up his own business called 'The Ridewell School of Motorcycle Training' which helped hundreds of bikers to pass their test and to improve their riding skills. His passion for help ing people ride their motorcycles well even extended to giving CBT lessons on Christmas day when the need arose. He also belonged to the Gosport and the Hampshire Road Safety Com mittees. George’s passion for helping people included fundraising for local and national children’s charities, but typical of him, the motorcycle played a key part. With his help and organisation the RNMCC raised a quarter of a million pounds for the BBC charity 'Children in Need' over a number of years. These events would typically involve a number of RNMCC members taking on marathon rides through all weather conditions to visit RN and other British Forces bases throughout the country to raise money for the charity, culminating in the handover at the BBC
studios and, on at least one occasion, on cam era. In George’s own words when interviewed during the event in November 2008: "We’ve already raised £8,000 so far in this year’s campaign. We’re visiting military estab lishments just across the South this year owing to the rise in fuel costs. The weather has been challenging driving up through the gales and torrential rain from the bases in the South West but now we’re off to London and Northwood for the final leg until Friday when we have an fea ture appearance on the BBC Children in Need TV show. I’d like to thank everyone for their excellent support es pecially Portsmouth Honda Centre based in Farlington who kindly loaned us eight motorbikes to support the ride this year." Other charities also benef ited from George Bunkin's hard work and o r g a n i s a t i o n a l skills. These in clud ed an n u a l Easter egg runs for the C h i ld re n ’ s Ward of South ampton Hospital, time spent with the Fareham Rainbow Centre and playing The RNMCC stands in for Santa’s rein Santa for sick chil deer on a visit to Southampton’s chil dren to name a drens ward. few. Being typical of a generation that would not complain, George continued to soldier on until he became too ill to carry on. His illness finally became so bad that he reluctantly accepted the fact that he was not going to get better on his own and had to go to hospital, where he died a few days later on the 3rd June. The RNMCC organised a funeral cortege of bikes that followed his coffin from HMS Sultan to the crematorium at Paulsgrove on the 23rd of June. On the 22 nd of June he and his hard work were men tioned on BBC South Today, giv ing some indication of his stand ing in the community. Those of you who knew George will have your own memories of him to treasure. For the rest of us; we have what little we can learn about him. George had a passion for motorcycles and mo torcycling which he passed on to others, he used this passion to help others in a way that most of us would never have contem plated. His legacy lives on within the groups and organisations he was part of, and especially the RNMCC. George James Bunkin Pudsy is so happy to BEM, gone but not forgotten. meet a celebrity
Sources: http://kylebunkin.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/crossingthebar/ http://www.suht.nhs.uk/Charity/Charitynews/Charitynewsarchive/ Thankyouforsupportin2010.aspx, http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operationsandsupport/establishments/navalbases andairstations/hmnbportsmouth/news/rnbikersraiseatonfor/, http://www.qhmportsmouth.com/news/news2008q4
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
By Rod Griffin
Somerset branch helped out, convincing a reluc tant lady biker that further training would improve her enjoyment of motorcycle riding. Touching base with other IAM rider groups also proved very useful as three members of the West Sussex branch stopped for a chat.
The "Motorcycle Ride In" day provided a very good op portunity to drag the MDU out of storage and then down to Beaulieu.
As the day grew hotter the MDU proved a useful shelter from the sun, in fact a better day could not have been hoped for. The event itself was well attended by several thousand bikers and
You wait all day for one, then three turn up at the same time.
Howard did not realise that his Suzuki was up as first prize in the raffle.
Once on site it was set up in plenty of time to beat the 9:30 deadline. Although not ideally positioned due to the layout of the pitch, the MDU still attracted quite a lot of early attention. This improved greatly when the team took advantage of the fact that the adjacent pitches had not been taken, and as soon as the 10:00 deadline passed the MDU was positioned more favourably and surrounded by six bikes. The decision to move the MDU worked and the stand attracted even more attention. The team worked well and at one point each of them was talk ing to a member of the public explaining the benefits of the organisation and additional training. In fact two members of the
car drivers. The attractions on show included the high flying 'Ling Bold Dog' motorcycle stunt team, several trade stands and auto jumble. Included in the ticket price was free access to the National Motor museum. The 'Ride In' event itself, the second of its kind, could not be compared to the 'World of Motorcycle' events that used to be held at Beaulieu until two years ago, even so, attendances were up on the previous year. Although no one was actually signed up on the day, it was a very useful day out for the MDU, many IAM and SAM leaflets were handed out and promises were made to attend SAM Sun days or to contact their local AIM group. Many thanks go out to Peter for towing the MDU to and from the event, and to Howard, Ian, Russ, Phil and Colin for helping out.
See page 4 for the new members list.
After a hard night biking and partying, Biker Jim woke up at home with a huge hangover. He forced himself to slowly & painfully open his eyes and was surprised at what he saw. He sat up and took the aspirins and drank the glass of water on the side table and noticed his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. Jim looked around the room and saw that everything was in perfect order, spotless and clean. He noticed and picked up a note that had fallen off the night table onto the floor. It read: "Honey, I left you aspirins & wa ter, you’ll find breakfast still warm and on the stove, I left early to go shopping and will be back soon. I Love you." He got up, got dressed, went into the kitchen and sure enough there was a huge hot breakfast and the morning newspaper waiting for him. His son was also at the table, eating so Jim asked, "Son, do you have any idea, what happened last night?" His son looked up and said, "Well Dad, you came home after 3 A.M., screaming, belligerent, drunk and de lirious. You fell several times, broke furniture, puked in the hall and gave yourself a black eye when you stumbled into the door." Now totally confused at his wife’s behaviour Biker Jim asks, "So, why is everything in order and breakfast waiting on the table?" His son looked up from his plate and said, "Oh, that! Well last night after you passed out drunk, Mom dragged you to the bedroom and when she tried to take off your pants, you said, "Hey, lady, leave me alone, I'm married'!" Reproduced courtesy of www.shtuffforbikers.com
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011 The continuing saga of Doug’s Suzuki and how it is driving him to drink (brake fluid by the sounds of it). (part 2)
Well a few weeks have passed and the TL is still not up and running. I thought the brakes were fettled only to find them seized again. I decided to strip them for rebuilding. The previous owner had also had this prob lem and to me it looks like temper that has ruined the pistons. I found a pair of callipers on eBay for £25 in great order. They eventually arrived ( 2 weeks later) and I bolted them straight on. In the Fig 1. Ruined calliper pistons. me an ti me I decided to look at timing retard eliminators (TRE) (most Su zuki bikes are restricted through the first 4 gears, this can cause lumpiness and poor fuel economy. I fitted one to my ‘busa’ and it transformed it) only with the TL there are 2 to choose from....and yep, you got it, mine was the £70 quid one, not the cheap one. I eventually found a wiring diagram and after a crash course in electronics made one. Total cost £4.50, and it works!! Each gear has a resistance value so I opted for a 15 ohm resistor so the bike thinks it’s in 6th gear all the time. I did the thermo stat mod and think I may need a hot ter thermostat. Oh and I still have the throttle bodies to balance. I tried to take the bike out for a first proper ride got 3 or 4 miles down the road and the Fig 2. Money well spent, the home clutch let go. I
Fig 3. Thermostat mod in place.
fiddled with adjustment including the actuator but it is knack ered. So that’s my next job. I have 4 weeks to sort it and get used to riding it as we are at Brands Hatch toward the end of May for a track day with it. Even on that short ride, playing with the throttle you can feel its raw, brutal edginess. If it could, it would wrench your arms from their sockets and beat you with the soggy ends. After the clutch let go I hastily challenged it to a fist fight....then in stantly realised what a bad choice that was, I didn't make eye contact, but could feel the TL staring back through that angry looking angular headlight......tell me it’s not staring at me anymore please!!!!!
Will Doug ever get this bike on the road or will the Dot 4 get him? Tune in for the next instalment of ‘My TL100s’. ed.
Bologna and Cheese A road worn Biker walked into a whore house, handed the Madam $500. In a slow, gruff voice the Biker told the Madam he wanted a warm beer, a bologna and cheese sandwich, and a fat ugly woman. “But dear Sir”, the Madam replied, “for that kind if money you can have a fine meal and a beautiful woman”. The Biker peered at the Madam. “Look lady, I’m not hungry or horny... just homesick”. Courtesy of www.essexbikers.co.uk
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
This item was emailed in by Juan Playa, (not sure if that is his real name). Although not a member of the club I though that I would include it as it does contain some gems that you may find helpful. ed.
by Juan Playa
Hello, my name is Juan Playa, I live in españa but love coming to England for making my holidays. Seeing your lovely green countryside and all the old edificio ses, ‘Historical Monuments’ I think you call them. But most of all I likes coming here to go to the Isle de hombre to watch all those lunatics at the TT, that’s not a race they not start all together, you should see me, Paco, Jesus and the others on our bultacos rounds the montañas de los picos, that’s racing. Sorry I drift from the prick, is that how you says it? Yes I love coming here, it is so easy now from Santander to Portsmouth. But the reason I write to your magazine is because, I think, you SAM people like to know what I have to say.
ing through the lanes of autos as slowly crawled along I come across this lady she not open her mirror, not able to see what’s arriving up besides her on her left, so I open it for her. Was she happy I do this for her, no she’s not, she was trying to remove the lipstick that went up the side of her face at the last stop light, she was using that mirror to give her a good view at her cheek.
You British, how can you stand it? Your roads are so crowded, the traffic is jammed up so much that noone goes no where! But luckily me, on my moto, like an eel, can slip up besides you. ‘Filtering’ I think you call it. Even so you have to have eyes in the sides of your head, cos you drivers sitting in your automobiles, don’t know how to use your mirrors, so I use them for you. Sometimes, not often, as I am coming up besides you, I can see your face in your mirror, and see that you have seen me. I give you a nice little smile, you move over a little I go past, and give you a little wave of thanks. Makes you feel happy, makes me feel happy, good every bodies is happy. Then there are those not concentrating, you might be going slow but you still driving, head is bobbing up and down, now look ing at your legs, now looking out the windscreen. What you doing? I know what you doing I can see it, you texting your girlfriend on your mobile telephone, tell her how much you love her as you weaving from side to side, trying to steer your van with your knees. You going to make accident, so what I do? I let you know I am here, little toot on my claxon gets your attention. Sorry you dropped your mobile tele phone, but no more weaving about in the lane. You ladies, do you have to use all your mirrors for making up your face to look beautiful, you don’t need it you beautiful already. What you say not all your mirrors, yes I say all of your mirrors. I give you for instance, the other morning go
Then there is Mister and Missus MacDon alds, who eat so many of their ham bur gers, that they have become too fat to turn their heads to look. One word, ‘CLAXONS’ that is what your left thumb is for, let them know you are coming.
‘Mind the Gap’ as they say on your metro in London, mind the gap, yes do, as soon as one appear in a line of auto’s Mister ‘Mid life crisis’ BMW M25 owning, ‘my time is too pre cious for me to wait in a queue’ will jump from his line into the gap, thinking that line is going faster, no time to look in mirror, or to indicate or to look over shoulder, quick get in the gap before it closes. Yes ‘mind the gap’, very true.
Al final you have the ‘Thin Red Line’ bri gada, who have a motto of ‘They shall not pass’. Yes you know the type, drives Rover 75 because he cannot afford Jaguar, has handlebar moustache, (pah! Not look like handle bar to me, look more like cow horns). He will do anything to stop you going past him. Slow down more so he is crawling the same speed as big articulated lorry carrying cucumbers from Portugal. Gets so close to the truck that the gap is slimmer than your Twiggy super model. Anything to keep me behind him. But hey! No matter, I go round the other side. You close a gap on one side, you make a bigger one on the other. Just likes the eels, I slips up be sides you. So mirrors on autos, I use them every day I ride my moto in your country, to see what your British drivers are going to do. I say to you, My SAM moto riding amigos, you do the same. And no be scared to use your claxon, a little toot tells the driver you are there.
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die! Thanks to Jon Cox for sending in this item as reported in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: A lady died in September, and MBNA bank billed her for October and November for their annual service charges on her credit card, and then added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance that had been £0.00, now was somewhere around £60.00.
MBNA: 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.' Family Member: 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?' MBNA: (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?' Family Member: 'No, I'm her grandson' (Lawyer info given) MBNA: 'Could you fax us a certificate of death?' Family Member: 'Sure.' (fax number is given )
A family member placed a call to the MBNA Bank:
After they get the fax:
Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you that she died in January.' MBNA: 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.' Family Member: 'Maybe, you should turn it over to collec tions.' MBNA: 'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.' Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?' MBNA: 'Either report her account to the frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!' Family Member: 'Do you think God will be mad at her?' MBNA: 'Excuse me?' Family Member: 'Did you just get what I was telling you ... The part about her being dead?' MBNA: 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.' Supervisor gets on the phone: Family Member: 'I'm calling to tell you, she died in Janu ary.'
MBNA: 'Our system just isn't set up for death. I don't know what more I can do to help.' Family Member: 'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. I don't think she will care.' MBNA: 'Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.' Family Member: 'Would you like her new billing address?' MBNA: 'That might help.' Family Member: 'Heaton Cemetery, Heaton Road, New castle upon Tyne Plot 1049.' MBNA: 'Sir, that's a cemetery!' Family Member: 'Well, what the **** do you do with dead people on your planet?' MBNA were not available for comment when a reporter from the Newcastle Evening Chronicle rang. This is so priceless and so easy to see happening cus tomer service, being what it is today!
Ready for your Test ……. "The IAM has told all examiners that candidates’ driving licence photo cards must be valid, other wise the test will not take place. Previously the test would have gone ahead and the candidate would have been advised to get it sorted."
This is IMPORTANT
Bikers Beware... I have to agree with the Major, not about the Rover 75, I mean about foreigners coming over here telling us how to drive on our roads, after all they don't even drive on the right side of the road, well they do drive on the right, but it is the wrong side. And what the hell if I do swap lanes to get where I am going faster, its up to the bikes to watch out if they are going slip up the middle. And before you say anything I pulled off the motorway onto the hard shoulder to write this email. ps, By the way its a BMW M5, get it right. sent from Kevin on my blackberry. Well thank you for your contribution Kevin, maybe whilst writing the next email the sleeping truck driver will get you to where you are going quicker then you expect. ed.
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
A Dash to the Balkans The planning and the thinking done – it was time to get on with it…. I left straight from work on the Friday to catch the boat at Portsmouth bound for St Malo. Lo and behold there were two mem bers of SAM at the port to see me off – how won derful was that! Once on board I bumped into Ian Mutch; the Author and Editor of MAG Magazine (The Road http://mutchmotorcyclebooks.com/) and after a meal and a brief chat he dashed off to watch a film and I set up to update my Blog (http://www.nigelgrace.blogspot.com/).
By Nigel Grace
trip was solo or not? Both have their Pros and Cons, and the issue is still exercising my thoughts now. Maybe the idea of solo one year solo and in a group (of two or three) the next would fit the bill.
Once off the boat, it was great to ride the French roads again… so empty. The first overnight stop was with a friend of mine from the Army that I had not seen since 1986; he and his wife are now living in Brittany. After a great reunion, a few beers and a good kip in a bed, it was on with the trip. Camping all the way and stopping at La Rochelle, the great biker’s campsite in the Dor dogne (http://www.motocamp.com/), Grenoble, Milan, Venice, Croatia, the wonderful lake at Bled in Slovenia, Trento in Italy, Bolzano, Switzerland, back into France to visit the battlefields of WWI at Verdun and then finally home… a snip at 3,328 miles door to door. The highlight of the trip just had to be visiting the private museum of the Family Reisch in Bolzano. Long story short – I had recently read the book “India – The S h i m m e r i n g Dream” by Max Reisch and at the end of the book it mentioned that his son was now look ing after the bikes, cars and archives of his father. I looked him up on the internet and emailed him asking if I could call in on The book that inspired the visit. my way past Bol zano – and he agreed. I spent a wonderful couple of hours at the house viewing the bikes and cars and was invited to sit on the actual bike that Max rode (2up) from Austria to India in 1933… on a Puch 230cc.
Sitting in the master’s seat; Nigel began to dream of distant horizons. I now have the Michelin map for Spain/Portugal and another for Morocco in front of me… anyone got a coin?
My bike worked well but I still wish I could have been on the Africa Twin; I really feel that I need to get another or similar with less cc but more character. The kit was fine, probably took too many clothes, but the problem in May is that it was cold in the North getting hotter going South and then cold again going over the Alps. The route I had planned was a good guide with some flexibil ity, but still I rode too many miles in a day. At least this time I remembered to have more Kodak moments – but when you only have 16 days I fear that you have to crack on. Oh for retirement…. The main question running through my mind during the
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One liners: Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experi ence. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness. Courtesy of http://www.onelinerz.net/
SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
Vince’s Run to Helmet City Bridport. by Vince Hall marking system, we’re going here, are we fuelled; dis claimer, thumbs up and we were off. My planned route aims to avoid major A roads as much as possible and I have a few “favourite sections” up my sleeve to put a smile on the face of anyone who rides them correctly. We take the wooded section past Hamp ton Golf course to warm the sides of the tyres up, and then cool them down again till we find the Odstock road. Twisty B roads lead us to Sixpenny Handley where that fine piece of tarmac winding across the Cranborne Chase towards Shaftesbury beckons. We again warm the rubber sides up on the twisties prior to the road opening up with the delight of a long, right hand bend with almost 100% open views (watch that junction). We hang a left towards Compton Abbas (more very good scenic views) and aim for Sturminster Newton and my favourite bend practise road the A357/A3030. Hold on though, I had found a café on the outskirts of Stur’ a few weeks back that allowed us to stop for a drink and poke Rui’s tyres some more…
This year I had decided to retire one of my two helmets (motorcycle helmets that is J). My aging Shoei Syncro tec is still in pretty good nick, but far older than it should be, so it has to go. I used to use the Syncrotec for the summer commute to work, as it’s a bit lighter and cooler than my Multitec. I’m now a converted flip front user. They are so good for daily use and I do like to ride around town with wind in my face, particularly when it’s on the warm side, and of course the Shoeis are not approved for riding with the front open. My newer Multitec is my preference on longer trips; as it is far more comfortable, but it is also my winter helmet as it is warmer with the neck curtain. After ‘googling' and reading feedback from various forums (for flip front helmets) I had almost decided on a C3, or perhaps a System 6; both pretty expensive helmets with both good and bad feedback. However, I stumbled across some comments about the Shark Evoline: approved for use with the chin bar retracted and has a sun shade. It has only two real negative comments that came out on reviews: it’s a tad heavy and no Pinlock visor insert. The Pinlock only comes into it’s own on colder days and I have the Multitec for those. Almost sold then! I need to go see one in the flesh and try some on for size… Then I saw that SAM is crying out for run leaders again! Why is this? We all know how to ride a bike and how to get to where were going (well most of the time!)So I thought, "Two birds, one stone, I’ll lead a ride to Helmet City Bridport and try on the Evoline 2!"
Liquids refilled and depleted in the correct order and we were off again, much smiling in helmet was to be had over the next section. Well, it was in mine. At the end of the A3030 I hang a left, and with the marking system working to perfection, 4 more bikes follow. This is the A352, and again one of my favourite roads. It heads South towards Dorchester (or if you’re in Dorchester, North towards Sherborne). It’s very technical in places and a joy when you are working nicely on the bike. The system proves its worth on roads like this, many blind bends, narrow roads and quicker sections to entice you, luverly! I resort to the satnav, I had previously programmed it to find a road past Dorchester as I was a bit lacking in memory on how to skirt it easily and get onto the coastal road without the town work. The satnav tells me the junction too late just as hind sight which one I should have taken, so I opt for the first road that looks like it’ll head for the coast. We turn left, the road narrows, but the trusty compass is still telling we are heading Southish, so I don’t worry. We pop out on the Bridport road and wind our way to West Bay. Stop for a photo opportunity of some bikes, riders and the backdrop of the Jurassic Coastline. We find ourselves at West Bay, and Helmet City, many helmets are tried on for size, the very nice sales assistant (you had to be there ;) helped me try on the Shark Evoline, I did look at a C3 but decided to go for the Evoline. I decide to buy it online, as I’d like to keep the box in case I need to return it and it was £30 cheaper on line, although she did offer it to me there for the same price (a very nice sales assistant indeed!). The hel met has a 5yr guarantee as well so I might need that box some time later.
The Sunday of the ride soon came around and with a few show ers forecast the morning was a bit grey. Five intrepid riders rolled up in the Ower car park on time and Rui had stepped in to replace the original backmarker who had got his Sundays mixed up. Rui arrived on his new steed, poking the tyres a bit and muttering to himself.
We had a bite to eat, a drink, fuelled up and headed home on a pretty direct, but not too uninteresting road. When we end up at Ower, everyone had had a good time, and that is what it’s all about isn’t it?
Whilst we were talking for a while it became apparent that it was just us. No matter, five is a nice size for a group run. A quick briefing just to cover the important bits; such as: who is leading, who is back marking, etc. Are we all aware of the
How’s those tyres Rui?
Oh, and the weather was fantastic!
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
Riders Recommend Rod Griffin recommends: Russ's Motorcycle Tyres of Portsmouth. I have found that they provides an excellent tyre replacement and repair service. They keep most popular brands and sizes in stock. Most importantly of all, they will do the replace ment/repair while you wait, take great care of your rims and are happy to do the job wheels on or off the bike. It is worth giving them a ring first to make sure that they have the make and model of tyre for your bike first. Visit Russ's Motorcycle tyre at: http://www.russtyres.co.uk/ Unit 3/Phoenix Buildings/ Claybank Rd Portsmouth PO3 5NH 023 9266 8777
Graham Marsden recommends: Steve Roberts (Upholsterer) of Southbourne. He's done many bike seats before, so after having a look at what was needed on mine, he took off the cover, used an in dustrial tool to take an inch off the bottom of the foam, stapled it back in place so neatly that you'd never know it had been touched, 20 minutes, thirty quid, job's a good'un! :) He's at Unit 17, Clovelly Road, Southbourne, PO10 8PD (01243) 377200 and does bike seats on Saturday mornings
‘Horn made me choke’ I don't normally write to magazines and the likes, but your article 'Filter Tips' is a bloody disgrace, everyone knows that you only use your horn to tell someone off, its like shouting at them "oi what the hell you doing?". That happened to me the other day when I was on my way to the builders merchant, it was lunchtime and we had been hard at it all morning, anyway this bloke blasted me with his #?@**@#& horn, It made me jump, I nearly choked on my sandwich, swerved and spilt my coffee all over the dash of my van, which buggered up my accounts. He could have caused an accident, so don't you go telling your readers to use the horn when ever they feel like it, it’s a liability. Bob (last name withheld) Ok, a builder named Bob, that’s novel. Bob, I think you will find that the horn should only to be used as a warning. ed.
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION ROUND THE HARBOURS CYCLE EVENT 2011 By Mike Barringer
The event, held on Sunday 5th June, attracted about 1,000 preregistered entrants and, as hoped for, 300 or more ontheday registrations. Solent Advanced Motorcyclists were asked to pro vide some marshals as they had done the previ ous year. The event manager for BHF was Adam Brockett and the motorcycle marshal coordinator was Nigel Unsworth. The management team and the motorcycle mar shals started gathering at Havant at 7am under slightly cool and cloudy skies; the hot and sultry weather of the previous 10 days having thankfully given way to better serious cycling conditions. A steady easterly wind was forecast to increase. The route had 4 checkpoints with entrants being able to register and start from their pointof choice; this resulted in the route containing 4 sec tions. The intention was to allocate 2 marshals to each section rather than have continuous circling patrols. The volunteer motorcycle marshals had previously been asked which section they wished to patrol and Nigel had been able to fill all the sec tions to everyone’s satisfaction. Nigel had composed very detailed information sheets for everyone, which reduced the need to
load up the mobile memory; a briefing for all mar shals sorted out the details. The Mayor of Havant (Councillor Ken Smith) was due to start the event and he thoughtfully arrived early and did the rounds to meet everyone. The marshals positioned in their sections and the event started on time and expected to finish at about 4pm. Apart from a period of very light rain the weather conditions remained good for cycling if a little windy. Apart from a few cases of mechanical breakdown there were no nasties (however slight) and all participants seemed to treat the event with good humour and some determination, which one sec tion (up Portsdown hill) required! The careful planning and organisation by Adam and Nigel made the event a pleasure to attend and were certainly a good basis for future events. The entry figures were thought to be about 1,500 (exact figures to be ratified) and, with prebooked entrants paying £10 registration and onthedays paying £15, the event raised about £15,000 for BHF from entry charges alone.
Well worth doing! Well done Adam and Nigel.
Have you been in the situation where you have heard the two tone siren of one of the emergency services and have panicked a little, not knowing exactly what to do? If so, this site contains a video that ex plains what you should and should not do: http://www.bluelightaware.org.uk/ Thanks to Graham Marsden for finding this item.
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011 chose to ride the demo bikes and the “grin factor” was im mense. There was even an occasion on the final Sunday when one SAM rider became quite upset when a customer chose to ride the machine he had claimed for most of the day! No one managed to ride all 10 demonstrators, but there was one seven and several fives. The best moment was at the start of each day when SAM riders each drew an ignition key from the bag and were able to take a solo ride before customers appeared. We achieved our aim, the level interest in SAM was high and positive – riders who were not from our area were given infor mation on the IAM national scheme. Will we do it again? If we are invited – you bet! Oh, and by the way, we were also fed and watered.
“As soon as she gets off that triple I’m going to grab it.”
Over two weekends recently, SAM riders have provided outrider support for the Destination Triumph Road Show run at Loomies café. The purpose of the exercise was to put SAM in the public eye and raise our profile within the biking community in our catchment area. SAM has done this sort of thing before, and whenever the opportunity arose, the Committee was keen to take advantage. The only down side was that we were unable to support a similar request from Doug Dearden Motorcycles for their event on the 10 th July because it clashed directly with the Destination Triumph event. We have asked Dearden to let us know earlier next year and hopefully we’ll be able to put that right.
“No, no! It goes like this: You put your left arm in, then you put your left arm out, in, out, in out, then you wave them all about”
The two weekends were held on 21 st /22 nd May and 9 th /10 th July. The role of the SAM riders was to accompany members of the public who wished to test ride the demonstrator bikes provided by Destination Triumph. Rides were gener ally of about 40 minutes dura tion on prearranged routes out from Loomies. SAM riders had to be Green Badge hold ers but we resisted the temp tation to restrict participation to Observers and Destination Triumph were happy with this arrangement. Our job was to ensure that riders did not get lost (many were from some distance) and to exercise a degree of common sense con trol to protect riders and ma chines fundamentally from themselves. Some SAM riders used the pursuit technique, others chose to lead. Every rider was briefed on the route “So, the left hand is this triple and the right hand is the classic bonnie, and the rules and we did not have a single problem. Both eeny, meeny miny mo…” systems worked well because both ensured that the ride was at a pace dictated by the SAM rider – the alternative was for the test rider to get lost, noone did! Altogether some 22 SAM riders were involved and 49 dem “Oh dear why do they have to make these instructions so small, ok so that onstration rides were covered. looks like it says ‘put the key in the ignition’”
SAM riders had the option of riding their own bikes and claiming a fuel allowance or riding a demo bike of their choice: as long as it was not the one chosen by the “customer”! Most of us
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
Events Calendar August—October 2011 Date 7th Aug
SAM Event SAM Sunday
14th Aug
Welsh Raid, Start meet (tbc) RL Colin Hitchcock.
21st Aug
Mega Meet Popham, SM Ower Svc Brackley Festival of Motorcycling, see Brackley 09:30, RL Nigel Grace Fishers Pond PH, (SM St Alfreds Status, Winchester, 19:00) RL JG TBC, (SM Sainsbury Fareham 19:00) RL SD BSB Cadwell Park (27th 29th) Harley & Buell Bash, Ace Cafe see http://www.acecafeevents.com/ Oakhampton Camping wkend (SM Ower Vee Twin Rally (26th 29th) Fordingbridge, see http:// Svcs 16:00 EA Ower Svcs 16:00) www.motoguzziclub.co.uk/events/events.asp SAM Sunday Vintage Japanese Day Ace Cafe see http://www.acecafeevents.com/ National Bike Safe show. Heritage Motor ctr Gaydon Warks. See http://www.heritagemotorcentre.co.uk/ 18th Carole Nash Autojumble (9th 10th), Totton Hants. See http://www.classicbikeshows.com/
23rd Aug
28th Aug
2nd—4th Sept 4th Sept
11th Sept
18th Sept 25th Sept
Kennet & Avon Canal (SM Loomies 09:30) RL Paul Nol
Other Events BSB Brands Hatch (5th 7th) GSXR day Ace Cafe, see http://www.acecafeevents.com/ End of the Road rally, Lizard Peninsular, 12th 14th. See: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MAG Cornwall/111280468942007 VMCC Day Ace Cafe see http://www.acecafeevents.com/ Plymouth Mega Ride, see http://www.plymouthmegaride.co.uk/ Bulldog Bash (11th 14th) Bath, see Bulldog
BSB Donington Park (9th 11th) Ace Cafe reunion (9th 11th), Ace Cafe see http://www.acecafeevents.com/ Brighton Burn up Ace Café (10:30) Brighton. See http://www.acecafeevents.com/ Cruiser Bike day Ace Cafe see http://www.acecafeevents.com/ BSB Silverstone (23rd 25th) 59 Club Day, Ace Cafe see http://www.acecafeevents.com/
2nd Oct 9th Oct 16th Oct
SAM Sunday BSB Brands Hatch (7th 9th) Rallye De Cantabria (Santander 6th 10th) Carole Nash Classic Mcle Mechnics show, (15th 16th) Stafford Show ground, see http://www.classicbikeshows.com/
23rd Oct 30th Oct Key: (SAM Events) RL (Run Leader), SM(Start Meet), EA(End At), (Other events) BSB—British Super Bikes Bulldog http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/RidingEvents/ridingeventsresults/Events/2011/July/jul1411anythinggoesatthebulldogbash/ Brackley http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/RidingEvents/ridingeventsresults/Events/2011/July/jul1811brackleyfestivalmotorcycling21 august/ Note: Check the web site for the latest SAM Events programme.
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SAM SOLENT ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS AUGUST 2011
YOUR COMMITTEE Role
Member
Email Address
Chairman Club Secretary
Kevin White Logan Colbeck
chairman@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk secretary@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
Public Relations Treasurer
David Forster Sam Davis
publicrelations@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk treasurer@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
Chief Observer
Alec Gore
chiefobserver@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
Membership Secretary
Nigel Grace (temp)
membership@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
MDU Coordinator
Tim Bennett
mdu@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
Webmaster Club Night Organiser Merchandise
Rui De Castro Mark Rowe / Martin Thomas Ian Kennard
webmaster@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk club_night@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk merchandise@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
Magazine Editor
Rod Griffin
editor@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
Darwin Award Winner... ONONDAGA, N.Y.(Indiana's NewsCenter) A man riding bareheaded on one of about 550 motorcycles in an antihelmet law rally lost control of his motorcycle, went over his handlebars, hit his head on the pavement and died, police said Sunday. The motorcyclist, 55yearold Philip A. Contos, likely would have survived the accident if he'd been wearing a helmet, state troop ers said. Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43630230/ns/local_newsfort_wayne_in/t/motorcyclisthelmetprotesthitshead dies/
Caption Competition May 2011
Caption Competition. Suggestion to editor@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk
“I think it is about time I updated the map on my sat nav!”.
DISCLAIMER Many of the views expressed in this SAM Newsletter are personal to the author and pub lication does not imply endorsement of any article, any author or any organisation. Views expressed are not necessarily in accordance with the policies or the views of the IAM or SAM. Where articles are reproduced from other publications or authors, unreserved ac knowledgement is given to the source. No responsibility is accepted by the Editor or SAM for any damage to intelligence or riding abili ties, howsoever caused which might result from reading this publication.
Advanced notice: The following edition of ‘Making Progress’ is scheduled for October 2011, please ensure all contributions are submitted by 10th September. Advice on submitting articles: send in your article in the form of a word document, plain text or in the body of the email. Images should be accompanied by a caption, i.e. file name caption, if not I will apply my own. So get busy, write and send them in. send to editor@solentadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk Page 16