Yep – this rare pic has the 4 cylinder two-stroke GP bike as ridden by a very young Neil Hodgson in 1995 – he would go on to become World Superbike Champion on a Ducati —
500cc ROC Yamaha —
NC30 at the NW200 —
This time it’s the ex-Jim Moodie VFR400 – I bought it from Jim after he had ‘run it in’ at the 1990 TT —
Only to have him borrow it back for the following year’s North West 200 when Jim was in his psychedelic pink period – apparently it showed up better on the telly —
My old trials riding buddy Robbie Allan had been trying to persuade me to go Classic racing at that time but I didn’t fancy the auld bikes.
When I saw Jim riding that VFR400 at the TT I thought ‘I could do that’ – promptly bought the bike and set about getting my race licence and writing another chapter in my ‘book of life’ 🙄
Tenere 660Z —
If I’m not careful this big blue fella will be taking over from the red XJR1300SP as my favourite bike – even if long days criss-crossing Europe in it’s unforgiving saddle eventually put me under the surgeon’s knife —
It was loads of fun up to that point but a word of warning – never trust a South African from the Orange Free State with a scalpel – they still think they are fighting the Boer Ear 🤠
Lots of Shiny Bits —
on the RE350 Classic – but it’s anyone’s guess just how long they will stay like that if I insist on winter riding on our salt laden roads —
All I can do is continue with my wash down process after every ride —
and not become too precious about a bike that cost just over four grand new 🤠👍
That Lovely Feeling —
when you are down for an early ferry – watching the town come awake —
This time it’s Oban – heading to Tiree for the very first time —
In late summer the thought can be better than the reality – next time I would pack a tent 🤠
BMW 1100GS —
1995 – passing through Galicia on my way to the most westerly point on the Spanish mainland —
Cape Finistere – so the ijit could stand on a rock and pretend to look for America — 😵💫
Amulree n a’ That —
It seems most of the talk today concerns Rabbie Burns .. hence the title —
It’s unusual to get this much sunshine in January —
so I’m making the most of it …
That looks like the road into Glen Quaich in the background ,,,
and the hill above Amulree ,,,
Yes my old luggage .. bought from Oxford Products for a road trip to Dubrovnik twenty years ago on my XJR1300 ,, still looks the part and ready for touring on the RE350 Classic 👍
Norton 860 Classic —
a winner in Croatia —
Virtually unbeatable in Classic races at the old GP circuit of Grobnik in the capable hands of my good friend Cabro (pronounced Zabro) from Zagreb —
Comrie Wakens this Morning —
All except me —
I overslept after a rough night with my knee —
but Helen and Loki were out walking as the sun rose over the hills to the south —
and shared some of their walk with you and me —
from-a-distance 