On Wednesday I decided it was about time I ventured out again on two wheels after lockdown etc, so I dragged the Rapide out of the garage and put the battery on charge. The bike has a Pazon ignition and had not been run since 2018 I think because racing my Rudge tended to fulfil my need for a ride. The AGM battery was dead and refused to charge, so I taxed the car and drove to Halfords to buy a new AGM battery. That should teach me to charge laid up batteries.
After draining the sump and 'freshening up' the petrol by adding some super unleaded that was bought in September 2019 I tried to start the bike. It tried now and then, but was a real pig, especially as it was a very hot day. Eventually it started and ran very nicely, but I decide it was just too hot to go for a ride, plus as a diabetic my blood sugars would have taken a serious nose dive, due to the exertion.
My intention was to ride the Vincent to a lunchtime Rudge gathering in Partridge Green on Thursday.
The bike started first kick on Thursday morning and ran beautifully on the road. It also started first kick on leaving Partridge Green and again at a petrol station when I added some fresh fuel.
It was really great to be out on two wheels again after all this time and also have a nice pub lunch at the Partridge, but my main reason for telling this tale is that this proves that Texaco Supreme Unleaded appears to have life even when it is pretty old.
After draining the sump and 'freshening up' the petrol by adding some super unleaded that was bought in September 2019 I tried to start the bike. It tried now and then, but was a real pig, especially as it was a very hot day. Eventually it started and ran very nicely, but I decide it was just too hot to go for a ride, plus as a diabetic my blood sugars would have taken a serious nose dive, due to the exertion.
My intention was to ride the Vincent to a lunchtime Rudge gathering in Partridge Green on Thursday.
The bike started first kick on Thursday morning and ran beautifully on the road. It also started first kick on leaving Partridge Green and again at a petrol station when I added some fresh fuel.
It was really great to be out on two wheels again after all this time and also have a nice pub lunch at the Partridge, but my main reason for telling this tale is that this proves that Texaco Supreme Unleaded appears to have life even when it is pretty old.
