Another pointless thread

Beauty is indeed within the eye of the beholder. I am impressed with the realist aspect of this image though ...as in a plank supporting a plank. I bet you fumbled under the blankets whilst ogling pictures of the 350 Elsie by torch light as a yoof didn't you?

Just kidding Bro...long live the RD and the memories of those halcyon days when we deliriously thrashed everything we rode with total impunity, speed camera's hadn't been invented, and I once made Birmingham to St.Albans in 45 minutes on what would now be perceived as a 'Jurassic period' GPZ1100 B1

The first motorcycle I fell off was Jawa and the first one to die whilst I was riding it was a Norman.

I hope you mean Norton Stan..

As for a drink in memory of Tony, I'm there with you.

The lump of wood was so I could get at the left carb, I'm collecting the centre stand today so maintenance should be easier.

As for thrashing, York to Bradford in 35 minutes on this bike back in 1980, ah for the days of open roads and plods in escorts...

No, it was definitely a Norman, this was around 1958 so the bike would only be about 10 years old then. For some reason I seem to recall you changed gear with a little lever similar to the Strumey Archer gear leaver on a bicycle.

Are any of you bikers interested in Vincent? If so, I have some 1950s maintenance guide sheets that you can have for free. Just drop me a PM.

Not a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning John?

Aha must have been a Norman Nippy!

Is it really a year since Tony said goodbye? I hope his family are ok. It was such a hoot sharing his humour here. Always able to come up with something.

I'm a tad late but still I am raising a glass in memory of Tony

No it wasn't the moped, you couldn't pedal it, once the engine died you had to push it first thing that went was the kick start so had to bump start it. Then it just stopped. I believe it was later found that the exhaust was blocked. Anyway as we were all under 16 it was great fun for an hour or two.

To return to the drink topic, for a moment, I have had a chuckle. Bought a pack of Carling 4% lager at the Coop this morning and chanced to notice the health warning on the side. The 568ml cans contain: "2.3 UK units, 1.8 Republic of Ireland units"

Evidently the Irish regard the UK unit (10 ml ethanol) as too wimpy. In the land of the Guinness, it isn't a unit until it has 12.7 ml ethanol!
I find that several other counties (including Australia) define the unit as 10 grams of ethanol, which amounts to about 12.7 ml.
Cheers

Martin

Many moons ago we were allowed to purchase a case of 24 (330ml) cans of Guinness from the bonded stores aboard ship. This beverage was referred to as the Green Goddess. Best tasting Guinness I've ever had, outside of Ireland

Have you tried those Guinness cans that are poured out then swirled by the magnet thing on the bar. I've had a couple and they are better than the widget variety.

Didn't know such a gadget existed Barrie. Have had fun, in the past, at parties playing "Pick a Can". I'm not sure if things are the same but when I worked in pubs we would let the bottled Guinness and Bass stand for a week or two before selling to allow the "finings" to settle. One reason I would never allow bar staff to pour a bottle of Guinness in a glass for me

I first came across them in Spain and now in some of the hotel chains in this country. I think it's maybe where there is not a steady demand for Draught.

Bass, that's a blast from the past. Is it still around?

I've no idea Barrie. I think it may have gone the way of the old type pub that didn't even have a Spirits license, Beer only, no juke box, just sensible people putting the world right and getting p***ed. Also being invited to a Lock In