Sunday, December 23, 2012

Another great ride.

I went out to the hills S/E of Rome to see my folks yesterday, it was my dad's birthday too!
Another crisp winter day and the Norton answered the call again: oh what fun it is to ride on a 60-horse rocket! At 3.500 rpm the engine feels like it's barely doing any work, but in top gear you're already at the legal speed limit. Now, let's say you accelerate like you mean bizness through second and third, and really unleash the camshaft's potential up to 6.000 rpm... you had better be ready bro, or this thing will take off. 5.000 rpm and up is only possible in top gear if there is nothing in front of you for a long way ahead. So, it is fun in a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie sorta way. But the way the engine (specifically the head) is set up right now means you just can't use it in regular riding conditions, which is a bit of a shame because it really is a great bike. And a beautiful one at that.

Kitty was not impressed...
the Matchless, waiting for a nice sunny day and a leisurely stroll in the countryside,
the mighty Interstate, currently not at the top of its game but it's probably just a question of checking carbs, cables, maybe HT leads...

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