Norton Event Hansen Dam Warning

[Tetge]

I got an alert to avoid the byways around the Hansen Dam area on Sunday, Nov 4th, as the So Cal Norton Owners's Club is putting on a show and parade, so the roads they use will be oily, and also smokey, as the parade slowly makes it way on whatever route they use for this year. Of course, for those that like to see old bikes, and ride at 25-30 mph, it would be a great event. Sort of funny to see some of the classic favorites of the ton up boys of yore all polished up and going 1/4 speed. And, quite a few are not even ridden in the parade at all as they are basically garage queens. In any case the organizers and participants frown on speed, even at the posted speed limit, as it is not a race, they say. Still, as I recall, there were/are a few old relics out there that could actually get right along back in the day, but, the ton up boys are literally dying off, or getting too elderly to ride (I can relate to that) and collectors and restorers often have different mind sets about risking any harm to their machines.

So, just a head's up in case anyone who rides checks this site.\

[xbacksideslider]

I heard a rumor that you, in the tow of Brakelate, will be there. Maybe your brother too?

My Norton's bent front wheel is now un-bent and reinstalled with that same 'ol Avon, valves adjusted, oil changed.
I even pumped up the tires.

[Tetge]

I decided to brave the slippery oil spills and go to Hansen Dam tomorrow (Sunday, Nov 4, a 25 hour day due to time change from Daylight Saving Time) to see what the turnout looks like this year, even though I have no old English bike, and, in fact, have little regard for such relics. So, since I had Saturday off, my brother and I contracted with a world renowned professional to come in from Utah, to take us on a Saturday training ride up to Wrightwood, as there is a decent little restaurant/bar there. The pro will bring several training type motorcycles (he says that a KTM Super Duke is a fine beginner's machine and perfect for training purposes) with him as part of the deal. He says that he can have us both pulling wheelies and stoppies, and riding hanging off, knees down, by the close of the session, as it is really all about style and confidence. So, we will be ready for Sunday's event, if we live through Saturday's training, as there are reports of the pro in action, and some say that only the very brave and fearless can even keep him in sight. Some also say, by observation, that only crazy people ride with him, so, we may not even be trained due to our conservative and always legal riding styles. Still, I have my GoPro ready to go, so I may catch glimpses of the pro in action, when he slows to wait up for his hopelessly slow pupils. But, one should always try to sharpen their skills, or, in my case, shake off massive amounts of rust, as I seldom ride these days, and, they allege that one is never too old to learn, although that is bunk.

Still, at the end of the day, I am confident that my massive chicken strips will remain intact....

BTW: We told the Utah mug that he was free to organize a ride and invite other mugs so that he could have other crazed ones to ride with, so that call was up to him as we had zero problems with that, as the more expert pros around, the better the show for the slow.

[jhwalker]

Pics?

[Tetge]

Here is something we saw Sunday that might interest you. They all waved and were having a good time it seemed:

[Tetge]

In fact, it seemed that everyone in So Cal was out driving or riding Sunday. Was it the perfect Spring like weather?

[Tetge]

And, here is how the ride went:

phpBB [video]

[jhwalker]

good vid.

[xbacksideslider]

Velocette? What's that?

[Tetge]

Velocette? What's that?

Your worst nightmare, Norton Boy. That's what Velocette is. Just ask that poor hapless 1290R rider.