[Tony Russell]

in reply to: Tyres for 1150GS #8666

Haven't had a GS, but on my two 955 Tigers and my two Varaderos , I used Michelin Anakee with great success. Bridgestones wore out very quickly – ca 3000 miles – and front tires got stepped and noisy. Metzelrs OK, but short lived.If you ride mostly tarmac, I strongly recommend Michelin Pilot Road II. Tried them on the Varadero and it was transformed. Currently using them on Gottfried RT - had 2 sets, 3rd is about to go on. Bl**** marvellous stuff. No chicken strips! 😀

[Tony Russell]

in reply to: Grinnall Cars U.K. #8449

All due respect to the Beemers, but in all fairness – the Rocket III is top dog trike in these pictures. 2.3 litres of raw torque takes some beating! On the other hand, the Scorpion III, 2 wheels up front and a K-engine/drivetrain at the rear, is really something for old age pensioners with sharp reflexes and a fair amount of disregard for lethal hazards.. 😆

[Tony Russell]

in reply to: Nice 1150 GS conversion #8494

wonder if it could pop a wheelie?

Don't see why not - my 1150RT can, much to the surprise of my passenger 😀

[Tony Russell]

in reply to: BMW using Chinese sourced engines ? #8754

A parallell here: Triumph riders objected to having bits made in the Far East, without realising that most of the bike already was. ..I believe that as long as the quality assurance system is BMW, the product will be alright. As for pricing - Husky used to be Swedish and ended up way too expensive. Problem in Europe is price of labour and building sites. Therefore China - western consumers are not exactly known to shy away from a quality product if it is acceptably priced. As for profit - if BMW didn't show a profit, we wouldn't have their bikes. Therefore, if my RT was Chinese made but with same quality as present, I'd go for it. MV Agusta, hailed as The Great Italian Motorcycle aren't very Italian, are they? As long as we western consumers want ever better quality at ever lower prices, it is inevitable that production must be transferred to low cost areas. I guess that in a decade or three we'll be getting quality products from Somalia and Burundi, which will benefit their society - and ours...

[Tony Russell]

in reply to: Great Motorcycle Books #8386

Whatever happened to the British Motorcycle Industry  by Bert Hopwood.A revelation as to what went on in the boardrooms of the various factorys, not to mention the people sitting on the Board. Also very interesting to learn of the evolution - or rather lack of - new models. Personalities from the Industry are described mercilessly, albeit perhaps not always quite objectively...The book gives a very plausible explanation as to why the Japanese could just walk in and take over the marked. Hopwood started as junior draughtsman at Ariel in the 30's and ended up on the BSA Board in the 70's.

[Tony Russell]

in reply to: Abandoned weatherboard buildings -Post them here- #5215

This one is taken in Tram Valley Road in 1955/56 when I used to live there. I suppose its all gone by now, but if it still stands, or the remains of it, I would be ever so grateful for a photo. It can't be very far from Swanson as we used to walk to school. Right hand side of the road , seen from Swanson.While we're talking of old buildings, the one below is a farmhouse from approx 1370. Found in Setesdal, Norway. It is now kept as a museum.This last one is fairly well known. It is the Vemork hydroelectric powerplant where the Germans were producing heavy water  during WW2 and also scene of the famous commandoraid to halt this production. A Hollywoodish film, based on the raids and starring Kirk Douglas, was made .

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