Absence makes the heart grow fonder

[TouringGodet]

A few years ago, I stopped riding the Shadow except for put puts around the neighborhood due to a gearbox issue (another story). A year and a half ago, just before moving to Ireland, I went to take the Shadow out for a short spin, and it wouldn't run, it was coughing and popping as I tried to start it. I figured the lousy modern fuel had gummed up in the carbs. Fast forward to the present day, and I will be moving a few miles away here in Dublin, and instead of bothering Henry Martini to borrow him and his trailer to get the Shadow over to the new place, I figured I would spend the time to clean the carbs. I bought some carb cleaner, and mixed it with some fresh petrol and let the jet blocks soak overnight. Put it all together this morning, and sure enough, it started up. After some minor adjustments to the idle speed and mixture, it was idling pretty good. I took it out for a shakedown run and to stop by the petrol station to put a little more fuel in, and it was really nice to get back out on the twin after riding the Comet all this time. Not that Comets are not enjoyable, but come on, it is so nice to feel the power of the twin. My Shadow is nearly totally original, and the stock clutch is sooo nice, very little effort to disengage compared to the Honda clutch conversion I have in the Comet, and I can really feather it out when engaging it for pulling away from a stop. And the sound of the twin, just listening to it after all this time was so enjoyable. Now if I can just get around to finishing the licensing process here and upgrade my provisional license to a full license so that I can legally ride the twin...

Despite the temps barely above freezing, the rain has stopped for awhile and both bikes were out for spins to make sure they are ready for our move next week.

First lesson learned from being here in Ireland --- Yesterday, when I prepared to go out on the Comet, I took my gloves out from inside my helmet, where I always stuff them when I finish riding, and they had mold on them. Now I remember, the last time I rode the Comet was when I took it to be inspected to get it registered, and it was raining on the way back. Gonna have to get out of that habit.

Second lesson learned --- Cold temps make rubber fuel lines that were perfectly fine in Los Angeles hard and shrink, and they no longer grip the metal tubing as well. Had to temporarily replace a couple of ferrules with clamps on the twin.

 

[ossie]

if you go quick enough the petrol [gas] dose,nt have time to leak out of them fuel pipes and when the engine warms up they go back to the stevanage fit when the left the factory .
OSSIE

 

[nkt267]

Don't let the 'knackers' see how much alloy is in that twin engine, stick to the Comet.
The houses in your road look similar to the one I lived in in Dublin..John

 

[b'knighted]

Don't let the 'knackers' see how much alloy is in that twin engine, stick to the Comet.
The houses in your road look similar to the one I lived in in Dublin..John

Is that why they painted them black? so the 'knackers' couldn't tell how much was alloy?

 

[nkt267]

Is that why they painted them black? so the 'knackers' couldn't tell how much was alloy

Plastic or polycarbonate cases?.The 'Cheaper' option.john

 

[chankly bore]

There was a very good mechanic in the Yamaha racing shop years ago who had a most peculiar complaint. He would frequently and unexpectedly break wind and to his great mortification the sound produced was HONNNN---DAAAAA!!!!! This caused great loss of face.Being a rational sort he tried all sorts of doctors and specialists, to no avail. He could not be cured. He finally tried a Chinese herbalist. He broke wind in front of the old sage, who immediately diagnosed an abscess. It is common knowledge that ABSCESS MAKES THE FART GO "HONDA"

 

[BigEd]

Dear Steve,
I have been lucky to have the loan of my brother's BMW RT for a few months while he was enjoying some milder weather in Spain. The RT has been great to use, especially while it has been so cold but I've missed riding the Vincent. I'm looking forward to when the ice and snow has cleared and getting back out on the Rapide. Then, like you, I'll listen to and enjoy that Vincent twin sound. I also agree that the Vincent twin clutch is really light and controllable when set up correctly.

"My Shadow is nearly totally original, and the stock clutch is sooo nice, very little effort to disengage compared to the Honda clutch conversion I have in the Comet, and I can really feather it out when engaging it for pulling away from a stop. And the sound of the twin, just listening to it after all this time was so enjoyable."

 

[aldeburgh]

That is one lovely looking motorcycle! The Shadows not bad either.

 

[TouringGodet]

Yeah, I get your drift, but the Shadow was purchased new by my father, so despite being pretty ratty looking now, it has a special beauty in my eyes that supersedes any single vs twin, restored vs original, etc type of comparison.

 

[mercurycrest]

Steve,
Absinthe, in generous quantities, makes everything grow fonder