Norfolk
Revisited
It
is that time of year again when there is a family visit to the
Norfolk Broads accompanied by lots of fishing, sailing, eating and
frequent visits to a pub. Somewhere to get away from it all, not
quite, as in that area is the Caistor Motor Museum, only open from
April to September, and I missed it this year and the Norfolk
Motorcycle Museum. As it happens, on the last duty at the LMM there
were a couple of guys who know George, The Proprietor, through his
activities with motorcycle clubs around Cambridge. They too think he
has a great set up but didn't know about his treasure trove in the
next building that is not open to the general public. His museum has
had a good summer and is continuing to do well with much publicity
from the area papers. Last year they were working on a Triumph
Tigress Twin scooter (250cc ohv four stroke) and its restoration is
now, almost complete. I would recommend a visit if you are in the
area remembering that during the winter months they are not open on a
Sunday. I did buy a lottery ticket in the vain hope of winning some
£123 million to save all the museums but that didn't happen. Any one
got a spare million or two?
I have missed a number of bike runs recently mainly due to a faulty side-stand switch that I am waiting to get replaced so I have been working on another project that is getting close to completion that will free up more of my time. This has given me a little RSI from filing and fabricating parts from metal making my twist grip hand a bit sore. Not sore enough to not to get out on the Valiant with a request from another member of the LE owners club to come out for Vee Day at the Ace Cafe on the Sunday. The other member failed to arrive having lost his way trying to avoid the North Circular. Even I had to use it but that was only for 50 yards from Hangar lane gyratory to get to the access road that passes a Chinese supermarket. Now that is a place to visit if you are a foodie! At the Ace there were a few Vincents and a few of the bigger Velos and the Valiant was the only little one. It created quite a bit of interest with a few people not ever knowing they were made. One guy tried it for size. He was quite tall but looked comfortable on it. Who knows, we may get another member for the club.
After a short visit to the LMM on my way home I
set about catching up on all the bike racing that had been recorded
while I was away. The Tivo box had got to 100% and I have lost a few
things. Never mind, Henry Cole will surely get repeated.
Back
at the Museum on Monday and there were discussions about when the
first shaft drive appeared on Motorcycles. I know it was around on
bicycles as early as 1895 as I have seen one at the History on Wheels
Museum at Easton Wick but motorcycles this required a delve into
Tragatsch to discover it was FN of Belgium in 1903. They perfected it
over the next few years and used it on their famous straight four of
1908. A little while ago a visitor knew of a Vauxhall motorcycle.
Only two were made and only one survives. The other is believed to be
in the foundations of the Vauxhall factory. Perhaps one day it will
be rediscovered.
I have dug up a picture of the survivor and this is
from Classic Motorcycle of June 1984. It is still mild enough to be
out there and the LE has remained dry in spite of the predicted rain.
I just managed to get home and everything put away before the
heavens opened last Monday.
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