Baimor Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 A little over 8 years ago I was made redundant, the company I had been with for most of my working life went bust, so I bit the bullet and set up on my own. Despite being told the first few years could be really tough I had a fantastic start and have only had to advertise 5 times in my local paper in those past 8 years. The majority of my work has come through recommendation and repeat work. These good years have allowed me to indulge in my main hobby motorbikes. Whilst loving being out on the open road I had an urge to have a go at trial riding so I bought my Beta Rev 3 270. Despite missing a quarter of the first season I managed to finish in second place in the novice series, helped in no small part by a, now very good, friend I met that rode for the same club. ( thanks Terry). In short, my love of road bikes soon rubbed off on him as his love of trials rubbed off on me. He soon passed his test and bought a fireblade as hi first bike!! We always had friendly banter whereby he would call my cbr600 a learners bike!! I took it for almost 2 years then was finally in a position to buy my first Hayabusa. ( I'm now on my second but don't ask what happened to the first!!!!). The tables were turned and on one of our many track days I could finally blow him away!!! He now had the learner bike!!! After doing the nurburgring almost 80 seconds faster than him he began pestering me for busa but there was no way I would part with my baby!! Cash and part exchange offers became increasingly more ridiculous but still I never succumbed!! He always swore one day he would get something better to which I would reply there is nothing better!! Imagine my shock to nite when I recieved a call asking if I would pop up to see him and would take the 'learner' bike up?? 'LEARNER BIKE'???? I told him I'd put it to bed now til next year but jumped in the car and went up. He's only bought a Hayabusa!!! But instead of my 193bhp 1300 he's bought a bloody full race 1475cc animal with a dyno proven 408 bhp at the back wheel!!!!!!!!!!! me?? Jealous??? Just a lot!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Knocked about on BSAs as a youngster. A10 Gold Flash was my last one, but I saw the light and changed to more practical cars aged about 21. Really don't fancy a bike in today's traffic. It's surprising how many old or ex bikers are now driving the MX5 after hanging up their boots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mart Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 my first bike was a BSA BANTAM 175 1968 in blue Good days like this but had the number plate on the fr/gard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Yes, my first one as well but a red one. I think it was a 1959 model. Used to take me to work and back though, and around and about with the boys. Pre helmet days, but we always wore them anyway, just as we did with seatbelts when we started driving, despite the non requirement. The only car that I had where I didn't buckle up was my 1951 Series 1 Land Rover. That old girl is still running around somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 That BSA is lovely!! I've been slowly helpings friend restore a 1958 c15G. Should be amazing if he ever gets his finger out and finishes it!! I too like cars I've still got my second escort I ever owned. It was a 1300xl when I bought it in 1989. It's now got a 1740 crossflow with an all steel bottom end, Capri 2.8 front bilsteins with vented discs, twin 45 dcoe webbers, five speed type 9 with quick shift, ( soon to be swapped for a 4 speed tran-x box as the ratios are crap in the type 9)....... God!! I could go on forever!! I had toyed in the early 2000's with dropping a cosworth yb in it but it was going to cost mega money! It's not been run since 2011 and is next in line for some TLC when the railway is finished, and the vans done, etc,etc!! I can't believe the cost of parts now!! When I first got a pair of rs2000 front wings cost me £75 a piece. Now their £500+ each if you can find some!! I've heard really good things about the mx5 but have never experienced one!! Are they as good as people say?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Oh yes, they are a good car for driving on the Twisties as they hold the road so well. Equally at home on the motorway at sustained high speed. Mine is on a 52 plate. 1800 engine that gives 140 horses, so not powerfull by any means. The ride is very comfortable on standard suspension. So many people drop them on Bilsteins as a cosmetic exercise to close the wheel arch gap, but it firms the suspension up. Mk 1 is pretty raw, but it's good at high revs, so makes it a fun car to drive. Mk2 is more refined, mine is a Mk2.5 which is the facelifted version. Mk3 got a bit big and has the Ford lump under the bonnet. Mk4 released a few months ago is still up for debate, but the concensus of opinion is that the 1500 is better than the 2000. Despite the engines being bombproof, I blew mine early last year. Poor maintenance from previous owners. I bought a second hand engine with only 56k on the clock and swapped it over. New clutch, water pump and cam belt as a matter of course, and I was up and running again for less than £500. Five drivers still wave to each other (mostly), and there is a very big forum following. I shall find a photo or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 and my engine which is considered filthy by my Mates. The graphic is to remind me that the old engine was full of water. We had a great trip to France earlier this year. 1300 miles mostly at motorway speed and faultless. 30 of us went over on the train and met up with another 30 Frenchmen for a Sunday run. I left home on Friday morning, had a night in Folkestone, three more in France and arrived home again on Tuesday night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 yes!! That engine bay is a disgrace!! Lol! God you should see the escorts bay! The carbs really need taking off and overhauling. Some of the wiring needs tidying and the washer bottle won't come clean for love nor money!! I know what you mean about 140 horses ain't a lot. My escort was dynod at 135 and although it is pretty nippy ( it's still on the 1300 diff ) whatever I drive feels slow compared to the bike! It's just having the time to commit to it at the moment tho but I'm sure my mate will want his garage back soon. ( it's been in there since 2012!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I think one of the things that make the Five such a good drive, is that it's front engined rear wheel drive, and Mazda have very cleverly got the weight distribution absolutely spot on the half way line between the axles (with a full tank and two people in it). The biggest failing is rust. Sadly Mazda really scrimp on underbody and cavity protection. They rust from the inside out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 Rust??? I'll tell you what. Try keeping on top of the rust in a 1967 mk1 escort!! lol! I did think the made would be good for rust proofing tho? First thing I bought after my escort was a mig welder!!! in the 26 years I've had it its had 3 sets of inner and outer sills!! And yes I do use wax oil! ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 A pic from around 2008. Trust me she doesn't look as good now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Sitting idle is the worst possible for a car. Even if my Five isn't used for two or three weeks, she needs an Italian Service to clear her tubes a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 Italian service? I love that!! The Mrs has been badgering me to get shut for years but I've had the escort longer than the Mrs so the car stays!! Didn't help when car sos did a mk1 Mexico restoration. Same colour as mine and when the Mrs realised what they're now worth ( although I pointed out mine is not a Mexico so worth maybe a third) she started pestering again!! NO WAY!!! Next year will DEFINITELY see the car back on the road. I'm led to believe it's one of the oldest survivors being a 1967 F plate. It now needs a strut top, spare wheel well and back arches then another respray. I'm thinking of going for frozen white this time as the signal orange isn't original anyway! It ws originally tawny brown metallic!! I will consider myself well and truly told off for leaving it to fester for so long . I hope the heater is good on the mx5 this time of year mate??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 Would you like to see my most recent automotive purchase Roddy? ? Promise you won't laugh?? Being a light, front engined, quite powerful car are the mx5 tail happy at all Roddy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Tail happy in the wrong hands. Some of us grew up with rear wheel drive and cross ply tyres. We know how to accelerate out of a corner without too much drama. The youngsters haven't got that experience, and also don't keep their rubber up to the mark, so they are the ones that get caught out. They like to practise their imaginary drifting skills, but give them a greasy road and a roundabout, and if they are lucky they just end up facing the wrong way. Otherwise it's ass first into the barriers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 yeah I know what you mean mate! My eldest is 19 and we bought him a (12 plate) seat ibiza for his first car and he always says when the escort is back on the road he " wants a go"!! I tell him he'll spin it before he gets off the street!! He doesn't understand the handling characteristics of fwd are completely different to rwd! Kids eh?? Isn't youth wasted on the young?? ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Just as it was wasted on us no doubt. I'm enjoying my youth now. Old and disabled, but been there, seen it, done it, and got all the answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baimor Posted October 24, 2015 Author Share Posted October 24, 2015 old and disabled. I've definitely got that t-shirt! !! my eldest says I'm really showing my age now I'm " playing with toy trains"!! Cheeky young bugger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Oh don't laugh Matey. 67 going on 97, walking stick, blue badge, and---------------------------a yellow roadster!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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