The bear emerge from the den.

 

I have been out collecting bikes for the Norwegian vintage motorcycle clubs display at the motorcycle fair in Oslo next weekend.

 

 

When picking up this Guzzi I thought of something I have seen on Animal planet:

“Bears who sleep through the winter usually spend a total of about four to six months sleeping in a den that they have built. In order to use less energy, the bear’s heart rate slows down from about 70 beats per minute to about ten beats per minute. Their body temperature also lowers by about ten degrees Fahrenheit.

As the weather starts to warm back up, sleeping bears emerge from their dens! Prior to starting their winter sleep, bears gain extra weight that their bodies use for fuel during the foodless winter. – By the time spring has come around, most bears have lost about 25-45% of this extra storage! With new food now available, the bear starts the cycle over again, eating plenty all spring and summer in preparation for the coming winter!”

 

Norwegian men only use a shirt when the sun is out…..

The king of labels.



This is not a blog about fine wining and dining, but this find is too good to not shear. After last weekends «success» in finding shitty wine, I have made a new attempt……You just can`t go wrong with Elvis. I’ll better get that deep fryer going…..Oh yea, where’s my white jumpsuit with cape…..

Labels and covers.

Last Saturday I got some critic from my wife and friends for serving the most horrible wine they have ever tasted…..I got it because it had a great label on it. Yes, I have to admit…I am probably easy to fool….

I sometimes do the same with records. A record with a Vincent engine on the cover is a “must have item” in my world……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will not comment on the quality of the music on the three records on the left…..But the “TT sound stories” where frequently on the turntable when my brother and I grew up. More than once my father would rush in to turn it down, pretty sure that we finally had lost it….

 

 

Triumph dual manifolds.

 

 

Have you ever wondered the difference between a Tiger 100 race kit manifold and a Grand Prix manifold?

 

 

 

 

This might be information you did not know that you wanted to know….anyway the left one is from a T100 race kit and the right one is a GP manifold. You can see de similarity with the fiber spacers and the “straight thru tubes” on both items. The tubes go in to the carbs and the head. I have to shorten the tubes for the use of TT carbs.

 

 

 

 

 

A shopping journey to Sweden.

 

 

My answer was yes, when asked to come along picking a speedway bike in Sweden……But I had second thoughts when the alarm went off at 04.30 Saturday morning….The weather forecast said snow and slippery conditions…..Well, it’s only a round trip for 1100 kilometers

 

 

 

 

 

Suits you sir….The BSA 500cc powered speedway bike shake hands with its new owner.

But what a place….We had arrived to Rudge heaven….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why the worried look Gunnar?…….Your wife will probably forgive you….Sleeping on the sofa for the next six months will do you good…

 

 

 

Projekt Reading Standard

 

 

In Sweden they have a great motorcycle museum called MC COLLECTION MUSEUM, http://www.mc-collection.com/

 

They have restored a 1920 Reading Standard and made a book covering the work. The book have lots of good pictures and technical “how to do” things.

After reading the book I know I have to go and see the Reading Standard, and all the other bikes, this year.

 

 

 

 

Garage winter meeting

This time of year there is not much happening for the vintage motorcyclists. Most are at home working on their projects and try to keep worm.

So when we got an invitation for a garage meeting with the boys with pizza, drinks and technical challenges. We were in for a great evening….

The “runners” where out in the cold garage for the occasion:

Some people have spotless garages; here you can have your dinner at the floor…

Ariel Red Hunter……We will soon have a look at the engine for this bike.

Ardie with Rudge engine and Burman gearbox.  This rear old racer is soon reborn.

I can spot one engine out of line…..

Ducati Cucciolo, 50 ccm of brute force….

Steady on with the drinks boys…..and yes, I do think the Suzuki  GS750 is faster than a BSA A-65….

We were put to work….The main topic of the evening was to dismantle and diagnose an Ariel Red Hunter engine.

The reason for a sore head…..and a worn head….

We all have different skills, some like to hit things.

This was how far we got. I think we have to be invited again!

No more Ariel engine work…….Let`s eat!

I  hope Hans Torvald remembered to recycle his thrash. It`s so easy to throw a Rudge engine in the paper bin…

We were asked to sit down at the toilet…..Why?

God Jul!

                                                        Some things to get you in the mood:

Elvis on the stereo.

                                                                      Graceland fold up with snow.

Julbrasan (Xmas fire) on the television.....

I have done my bit in the decoration of my wife's ginger bread house.....

And it`s snowing outside...

A book for Mr Scrooge?

I will probably be looked on like Mr Scrooge by my family, only buying presents for my self....This excellent book came by mail......I take it that all of you have Volume 1?

Long neck TT carb.

This is what I call a stocking filler! A long neck TT carb arrived in the mail today. My wife says that I am not supposed to by presents to myself for Christmas......

It will need some welding and machining.....My wife again: "why did you get one that needs mending",,,,,,well the TT carb shop was sold out.....Must be the season for them now.

Well for those of you that don`t know the difference between a STD TT carb and a long neck:

The long neck was made for Norton Internationals.