ChatroomHeard and read such a lot about the CBR600 and what a wonderful all rounder it is, I decided to get one. CBR600F if I remember. Bought it new and was rather disappointed with it. It took two services to get it right. The carbs were out of balance. Left the bike shop and twisted the throttle hard and did an unintended wheelie pulling away from traffic lights. What a difference! I grew to love it and had three more. The F was a bit of a slab by today's models. Red and white with red rims.
The Superbikes were at Donington Park that year and, as I had finished running it in, I decided to go. Got a two day ticket staying at a hotel in Derby overnight which offered secure parking. Sounded ideal. Had a great Qualifying day followed by a comfortable night’s sleep. Had a quick buttered roll and coffee in the morning, packed my tank bag, went down to the bike and lo, some one had coined the tank, not a little, but a lot.
The hotel was in the form of a square with bike parking in the centre. Should have been ideal with security office supposedly staffed all night, also with cameras. The guard, under manager, and the day manager were decidedly unco-operative and would not release or play back the night’s camera tape. It was not going to spoil my weekend at the races, but it did cost me a new tank as to put it right would have been nearly as much and taken time. Ah yes. Stalking.!
Shortly after joining the M40, going south and home at the end of race day, trying not to think about what was under the tank bag, I was over taken by a red Ducati with rider and pillion in Silver and Grey leathers. As we all know, Ducati's make the most gorgeous sound but not all riders have gorgeous leathers. We also know most men have a particular part of a female’s anatomy they favour. I could not resist this. Following for about thirty odd miles, drinking in that noise and the sight of figure-hugging leathers on the pillion seat, the rider was getting a bit rattled, and when he and me pulled into a service station he wanted petrol but also wanted to know why I was following them. Not being very good with fists, (much better with a large bit of wood) diplomacy was called for, loads of it. I said, hope he was not offended but it was great hearing the bike. Were they original exhausts? Did he have to have it re-jetted? How much difference was the Dyno report? What make of leathers were they? (not the way they fitted the pillion, her looks were as good from the front as the bit I could look at on the bike.)!
Asked him if he had ever overhauled a Ducati engine. Told him about a 250 I had rebuilt and all the spacers needed too get the helical gearing to mesh correctly. Any way, they asked me to join them for a coffee which I declined saying I had to get back to Kent. We shook hands and I left them with another compliment on how smart they looked, which they did.
So fellows, if you are like me, you like Vue et Bruit, are not very good with fists, think of nice things to say or find a large piece of wood, quick.
Be vigilant out there,
Mr. R. Foreman.
I want to go faster, I want to go faster..
