http://www.solebaymcc.com en-gb solebaymcc.com 2011-10-19T00:00:00Z solebaymcc.com http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#104952 Saw this unusual vehicle while in Morocco last week. It seems to be an amalgamation of numerous bits and pieces and influences cruiser meets trike meets 80s retro meets pickup with a bit of gazebo thrown in for good measure. The name on the tank Top Magic. A classic if ever I saw one. 2011-10-18 22:35:33 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#103252 Went along to the MAG protest today on the A47 west of Norwich one of numerous demonstrations across the UK. Details can be found here httpwww.maguk.orgencampaignsdetaila6883 . Couldnt believe how many turned out in support for this great organizations work. If it wasnt for the people at MAG and their tireless delving into the murky world of Brussels idiotic and downright discriminatory laws would be ushered through the courts without anybody noticing until it was too late. So well done to them for getting us all on our bikes and making a statement and a fair bit of noise too to make it known to all that the bike world dont do sit back and keep quiet. 2011-9-25 20:02:30 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#103095 Last week ended with a ten minute ride to the glorious Grand Henham Steam Rally where I saw among other numerous gems a very tidy little 1973 Yamaha 350 see photo. This was the last outing of the week and the shortest. After the Brighton BurnUp Run a trip to Hackney and Clerkenwell good practice for getting to know what gaps you can fit through and runs to Ipswich and Essex it was a pleasant relaxing day to soak up the atmosphere of a great traditional English rural fair and all its offerings. Nice to know that some things never change... 2011-9-22 20:54:02 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#102405 Went down to the Ace Cafes annual Brighton BurnUp yesterday. The sun was out but it was thumping into a gale all the way down I swear my neck has increased an inch in circumference and it was about a 340 mile round trip in all. I dont know how many turned out but it ran into thousands and the noise was something else. The parked bikes of all shapes sizes and ages stretched as far as the eye could see along Madeira Drive. A great day and a memorable spectacle a true bikefest 2011-9-12 21:23:12 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#101124 A very good friend of mine suffered a very serious cycling accident in 2009 which left him permanently injured both physically and mentally and has left a huge void in all of the lives of the people who have had the great fortune to have crossed paths with him. As part of a team I am climbing Mount Toubkal the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains to help raise money for The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home which is where Stuart now resides.So since asking fellow members for a bit of sponsorship Richard swiftly stepped up and made an extremely generous donation of 163250. Good on ya Richard Ill have to take up your offer of training on the bikes peddle ones of course.If anyone who find themselves reading this and wish to make a donation either large or small have a look at my fundraising page by clicking HEREAnd thanks 2011-8-24 18:15:00 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#96294 Been neglecting the site lately. The weather has just been too good. I keep leaving little notes around the house like this one... 2011-6-15 10:47:29 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#94526 I was lucky enough to take Richards big ol Harley Fat Bob out for a ride yesterday evening and oh what a joy. Ever since taking a Sportster out for a test ride last year I have had a curiosity with the Harley that hasnt really gone away. They are such a different animal to the Jap Fours but there is a mysterious charm to these bikes something that I cannot really get out of my head. I have a funny feeling that this will not be the last time I ride one of these legendary motorcycles... 2011-5-22 21:39:25 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#86760 Business took me down to Hackney and Notting Hill on Wednesday in the van. Usual traffic nightmare on the way home which took over 4 hours which gave me ample opportunity to observe the habits of fellow road users. Dont know why I was surprised as Ive been on the receiving end so many times on my bike but I was dismayed at the usual display of hatred and malice pitched at fellow riders filtering through 3 lanes of crawling traffic... 2011-2-11 20:32:07 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#74293 Rode along to the Fenman on Bank Holiday Monday is it really another year.... The rain finally gave up and the sun came out. It was a pretty windy ride though with quite strong crosswinds on exposed stretches. Managed to stretch the XJRs legs though...Have posted some photos in the gallery 2010-8-31 21:39:59 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#69619 Well another venture. Courtesy of Henry Weston I gave in to temptation last week and purchased a beautiful XJR1200 in Wales. I have been looking at these machines for a while now and I couldnt get them out of my head. So I have decided to sell the Zed and FJ to make way for the mighty and incredibly pristine XJR. I bought it from a very nice bloke in Wales and got the train over on Wednesday morning and rode it back in the late afternoon evening. I took the Monmouthshire route which was a great choice rolling hills bathed in late sunshine and relatively empty roads. Finally got back at 120am quite tired but very very happy indeed. Smooth powerful and extremely comfortable it felt like finding an old familiar pair of jeans More photos in the gallery. 2010-7-5 21:54:49 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#60411 Found an article in an old mag on the FJ which heaps praise on it by the bucket loadSo whats an FJ1200 all about then Simple. Great heaps oodles masses an overdose of walloping steaming slamming sledgehammer grunt. Huge amounts of power and even more torque from any revs....whereas many supersports bikes only start to become fun at threefigure speeds an FJ makes you smile from 60mph. The way it demolishes other traffic is sensational. A 50mph queue of cars No need to cog down check the mirrors open the throttle and all of a sudden... what carsAh the joys of twowheeled motoring... 2010-3-12 23:04:35 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#60012 Well finally got the big bruiser back this week and oh what a joy she is. All the rumours are true even though a bit long in the tooth its exactly what the Bike Buyers Bible states ...well planted and fast. I took the legendary FJ out today for the first time for what seems like an eternity and it was smiles all the way After filling up with fresh juice I gingerly headed south down the A12 and it didnt take long about a quarter of a mile before I felt comfortable confident and quite at ease in this saddle and drawing on the huge reserve of grunt this bike has. It pulls like a train even from low down in the revs surging forward with a smooth and seemless flow of horsepower. I dont know if its because Im the wrong side of 40 but I felt 19 again Granted she is a bit rough around the edges but she moves like an athlete. Have added a couple of photos in the gallery... 2010-3-7 20:22:24 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#54243 Have crumbled and convinced myself that I need a winter steed namely a Yamaha FJ1200. I havent had a Yamaha since my beloved old RD200 Yiddle back in 86 As its having a very and hopefully not too expensive thorough going over under the expert eye of Paul of the Wrentham Bike Shed I cant post any pictures. But I will put some up as soon as she is ready to roll... 2009-12-9 19:18:36 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#50604 If you happened to find yourself passing a certain brick shed in a seaside town not a million miles from the Wold and heard a tap tap tap and possibly a rub and the gentle hiss of a spray can oh and maybe the odd FampK IT the chances are that it was Dan tending to his Zed. He has sent me some impressive shots of the various stages of the refurb. Note that paint job on the tank a drop of pure black chrooome buh 2009-10-14 19:34:14 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#49204 Due to the rather large quantity of grape juice consumed on Saturday night I opted for an afternoons entertainment a bit closer to home the Grand Henham Steam Rally. Besides I couldnt resist a spin on the Ferris Wheel with my nearest and dearest and a hotdog or two. Was a great day out with plenty of characters with their puffing machines. Was pleasantly surprised to see a decent display of classic bikes and cars. Some of the highlights for me was an unusual old Guzzi a lovely old Harley without the chrome and one of the most attractive petrol tanks I have ever seen on a Bantam. 2009-9-21 22:48:33 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#49208 It is that time again at last when that small but perfectly formed magazine the Z1 Owners Newzletter lands in the post box. As I was thumbing through the many superb articles I was pleasantly surprised to see my photo competition entry of my Zed appearing alongside a few others. The winner is being announced at the Stafford show in October so Im keeping everything crossed for the ol boy... 2009-9-19 23:25:42 http://www.solebaymcc.com/page4.htm#47981 Ventured along to the Fenman on Bank Holiday Monday. It was a warm bright day which made the ride even more enjoyable. I particularly enjoy this route which consists of single carriageway through numerous towns and villages and a nice part through Thetford Forest. There were bikes a plenty at and on the approach to the show which for me is one of the best bits riding with fellow motorcyclists.I have made a montage of just a small selection of bikes that caught my eye including a couple OK three of beautiful Zeds a pair of thous and a thirteen a great looking Harley a Triumph Thunderbird in honour of Halcyon a couple of real characters an Ariel and a BSA I love the foot pump strapped to the saddle man after my own heart a very handsome Thruxton and Harley Davidsons new environmentally friendly model 2009-9-2 23:56:31