As you now may have gathered, I do have another bike but, not wishing to offend all you Brit-Bike purists - and not wanting to say it out loud in front of Little Willie - suffice it to say it's a more modern machine (first letter 'H', last letter 'A'), though not as quirky!
Here's a picture of me (I like to think I'm in control of Little Willie, but sometimes I'm not so sure!). Under my arm is my 'go faster' helmet, although, I hasten to add, it's not the one I wear when I'm riding the Bantam. Why not? I hear you ask. Well... with Little Willie so eager to get going and with everything hammering away in her engine and gearbox... I get double vision wearing this helmet.
As you now may have gathered, I do have another bike but, not wishing to offend all you Brit-Bike purists - and not wanting to say it out loud in front of Little Willie - suffice it to say it's a more modern machine (first letter 'H', last letter 'A'), though not as quirky!
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"As it was a nice afternoon," said Little Willie, "I decided to go for a ride into town to see if any of my mates were there, and of course Ash (who thinks he's got control of me) insisted on coming along for the ride as well!" "After he'd turned my petrol on, I obliged him by starting first kick," continued Little Willie, "as I wanted to get going!" "Heading for a parking space in the Market place I found my old mate Big Hank was there, so I sidled in next to him!" "Not so much of the 'old'," laughed Big Hank, " I can give you a year or two for your money - fancy a race along the A11 and back?" "OK," replied Little Willie, "... you can have a head start if you like (lol)!" This morning I went to see Hughie at his garage, as I knew his mate Eddie would be there who had said he'd like to see my D7 Bantam. Sure enough, as I rode into the garage they both came to have a look at the bike. "I used to have a black Bantam Major," said Eddie, and promptly climbed onto my D7 to get the feel of it. "Ah, just like old times!" We talked for sometime about Bantams and the old days, and I discovered Eddie used to be a speedway fan and often went to the Firs stadium in Norwich. "I'll used to ride my Major like a speedway bike," he told me. "In the winter, if I hit ice, I'd put my foot down and slew across the road from bank to bank !" "Bent my forks once," he continued, "but straightened them with a crowbar!" Just like Eddie! Then it was time to let them get on with some work and, to their amazement, Little Willie started first kick! Picture shows Eddie sitting on the D7 and Hughie standing next to him. "Not you again!" said the Bobby, getting out his pocket book! "And on double-yellow lines too! You'll never learn, will you? More to the point, have you been drinking?" "Only stopped to take a photo," I replied, putting my camera back in my pocket. "Besides, I thought the Green Dragon, as it's the oldest pub in town, would make a good location for my Little Willie!" Luckily is was 9.30am on a bright, though far from sunny, morning and the historic Green Dragon, to my good fortune, was not yet open! Before the Bobby on the beat could get me to blow into anything, I made my excuses and left... covering my tracks with an impressive smoke screen leaving him spluttering... or was that the Bantam! Anyway, yes, this is the oldest inn in Wymondham, even older then my Little Willie itself! It has been said that the monks from the nearby abbey used to drink here, but that was before the days of double yellow lines and bobbies on the beat, so they could park their steeds (asses, sheep, lady friends... and bantams!) wherever they liked in those days and get away with their drunken frolics, before retiring to the sanctuary of their holy domain to ring a few bells, smoke a weed or two, knock back another flagon of mead, and leave messages on De-Facebook, before returning to their cells to be locked up for the night with nothing more than a dry crust and a wench or two for comfort. Hard days, they were! Those poor monks were so exhausted by their devotions, they never had the time for any DIY, hence the ruin it's in today! All work and plenty of play, makes monks absolutely... knackered all day! Leaving the station, we putt, putt, putted off along Cemetery Lane where it was still a bit icy in the shade (careful, boy, don't want to join the residents just yet!), then along the road and into town. I parked my Little Willie next to the Fairland. "Hello, hello, hello, what's this then? Parked on double-yellows, are we?" "Sorry, hossifer, just taking a piccy!" "B****r orf, Sonny!" Then I took my helmet off, revealing what's left of my white hair. "Sorry, Sir, very nice bike you have there - I used to have one just like it!" (They all say that, don't they?) Well, here we are again - or, at least, here's Little Willie parked on the platform of our local railway station on the Cambridge line. I thought there might have been a train about, as there was a passenger waiting on platform one, but none turned up. Sunday service, I suppose. I didn't expect to get out for a run on the Bantam, as first thing this morning the roads were like glass, with another sharp frost overnight followed by rain! But by mid morning it had cleared and after lunch the sun came out. Little Willie started second kick and tootled along merrily. Just an update regarding the problem I was having with the steering being a bit vague due to play on the swinging arm. I have discovered both swinging arm pivot pin bolts needed re-tightening. Once I spannered them there's hardly any discernible play on the swinging arm now and will restore the good handling and road-holding there once was - when the ice has disappeared off the roads, that is! So, lesson learned, check all fasteners from time to time (I usually do, but overlooked these bolts!)
I just had to show you this birthday card I received from Tina and Boy Dervud and let you read the rhyme that was on the card (Tina is a famous Norfolk poet - our county's answer to Pam Ayres!) It says: Happy birthday, Ashley Yew mustn't think us silly But we saw this little card 'n' thought Thus yew wi Little Willy! Thank you so much, Tina and Boy Dervud - there'll be a slice of cake coming you way tomorrow! Today is my birthday. I'm not about to divulge my true, but suffice it to say I passed the age of consent (or asking for it!) many moons ago (is it better with the light on or off?). Anyway, my Bantam - Little Willie - had planned to take me for a run but, as we had a blunk (heavy fall, in Norfolk-speak) of snow on Saturday night, the roads are rather slippery and icy today. Perhaps tomorrow? However, there's something which may need attending to first. The last time I went out on the D7 she wasn't too happy on the bends. I put it down to greasy roads, but I may have misjudged the situation. This morning, I decided to run the engine and Little Willie responded after three kicks, which I thought good bearing in mind she hadn't been run for several days. Whilst the bike was ticking over nicely I decided to check for any play on the rear end. To my surprise I could move the back wheel sideways - not rocking it - so there does seem to be quite a bit of end-float on the swinging arm. I know there is a washer on one side (does anyone know which side it should be?), so perhaps this has worn. Strange, though, as I always keep the swinging arm well lubed via the grease nipples on both sides. I must check further, but any suggestions (keep them clean!) will be appreciated! |
Boy AlbieI've been the proud owner of a 1965 BSA Bantam D7 since 1991, affectionately known as Little Willie (Wilhelmina) and love to take her out for a ride so that others can see her. Archives
May 2016
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