1965 DMW Deemster

We unloaded the Deemster and stowed the trailer ready to go. Then we had to drop the news on my long suffering wife that she was going to have my daughter Phoebes bike, which my dad had brought with him,  in her car. Not happy. We loaded the car, and got on our bikes, I kicked the Kawasaki Z750 into life and we rode the 2 miles to the Wolverton Show. On entering we found some bikes already there..

Bikes at Wolverton Museum Classic Vehicle Show

And we set up our bikes in among them.

Our motorbikes DMW deemster, Phoebes lil Blue and my Kawasaki behind them

Phoebe kept returning every half an hour or so to polish up the bike which Grandad Grumps had brought along for her

Phoebe's lil Blue as she calls her motorbike

We walked around the other exhibits. And took some pictures

Well lit Scooter

Mk II Cortina classic car

Bikes at the show

Scooters on display at Wolverton Show

I liked this trike

Phoebe still kept going back to her lil Blue to polish some more

Phoebe on Lil Blue motorcycle

Just before we left we were spotted by Graham our Thursday night rideouts and work buddy, and stopped for a chat. He’d not been brave enough to bring a bike in case it rained, it didn’t apart from a few spots and spits mid day. After a chat with Graham we left the show and rode home. Here we got Phoebes bike started for her to have a quick ride. I was knackered after running around the block with her but she was smiling having ridden lil Blue so everyone was happy I think.

I pulled out the pink kwak (don’t ask me but Craig says it is pink and won’t have it any other way but we’ll wait and see if he takes his test and joins us anytime soon and what he rides) and it’s one heavy lump to get up the hill of my drive backwards without crushing myself under it. I went in and got my gear on and walked back out to start it. 2 kicks and the Z750 twin fired again, still find it hard to believe something this old and neglected will start so well.

I cocked an unwilling leg over the seat, and kicked the bike off the centre stand and set off. A little way down the road I realised Autumn is well and truly on its way as the light was fading already, so I put on the sidelights. Everything on the dash wanted a turn too, and all the tell tale lamps lit up bringing to mind a Christmas tree. Damnit, a bad earth somewhere I thought as I hit a small pothole, and at the same time the lights all went off bar the ones which were supposed to be on, result!!

I arrived without incident at the pub (the Ship Inn at Stoke Bruerne, highly recommended) and awaited the arrival of Graham and Pete. And waited, and waited. And waited. Finally at 8:30 they arrived, Graham had pulled out his RD 400 but she was running rough, and after he had filled it with fuel, and run Pete ragged up and down Wilstead he gave up and put it away in preference to the bigger more modern Yamaha which also needed fuel.

There was a saving grace though, Pete was on his newly assembled Suzuki GT380 which looks stunning with all the bright chrome, and gleaming red paint. Anyway, into the pub, chat, drinks and stuff, and soon it was time to leave. At the top of the hill coming out of Stoke Bruerne there was a hella long line of traffic coming along the A508 (found out later the M1 had been closed, forcing people across to the A5). Graham and Pete made it out in one go, a friend of theirs who was behind me and I had to wait and wait and wait for a gap. When I saw one I went for it with a lorry coming up the hill giving me time to get across, as I got on the right side of the road, and dipped the throttle the Kawasaki stuttered, leaving my follower almost in the back of me as he had taken the chance too.

We followed the traffic down the A508 and found Graham and Pete waiting in a layby at Grafton regis at which point a sudden fog came out of nowhere, well more precisely out of the exhausts of the Suzuki GT380, regardless we all continued on together to the A5 where traffic was backing up a ways. We took the decision that getting out in the oncoming lorries could be hazardous, so took the option to go with the flow of traffic. I managed to make myself look like a bum as I pulled out near the end to go past the traffic turning left, not realising Graham and Pete would stay with their friend who was also going to go off left. It was then my turn to wait for them at Old Stratford.

Back to my house for coffees and biscuits, I think Pete got one or two of them but Graham seems to be able to fit more Maryland Cookies in his mouth than most people I know. More chat and then the dynamic duo left to head home. I had started out with excuses planned, but ended having another good night out with the Thursday Night Gang.

Just before the appointed time of 12:30 rendez vous at my home, I had a phonecall, Graham was running late as he’d lost his cat (I didn’t ask for any further clarification). So eventually we set off from mine after 1pm and hit the A422 to Buckingham. A really nice pace was kept up, at 60-ish mph all the way to Buckingham. Through Buckingham I had a route planned, but somehow Graham who was following me made us go the wrong way. That’s my excuse it was all his fault. But we picked up the A421 anyway.

As we tried to get out onto the A421 it was quite busy so it entailed a quick squirt to pull across and get up with the traffic flow, the Old Z750 twin managed it very quickly, and Graham on his Yamaha kept up easily too. A quick dash along the A 421 and the A43 and we were soon at our destination. We parked the bikes, secured our helmets (ooh err that sounds rude) and had a walk around.

We immediately stumbled on two Yamaha RD’s

Graham delighted in looking over these stunningly restored bikes and finding all the non original parts. Being something of an expert he found quite a few, not anal at all then

We carried on looking around at the rest of the bikes on display :-

Then we caught the VJMC race bike display, I videod for 6 minutes, and nothing happened except a 2 stroke revved up. Turned off the video on my mobile, and then they decided to do some display runs, I caught just a little of the action:-(

Then it was time for a quick walk and the ride home. Another fun ride as Graham followed me off the A43 onto a single track road through some villages. I’m sure he felt at home there anyway. Eventually it led back onto the A421 towards home and we cruised the outskirts of Buckingham towards Milton Keynes and home. Back on the A422 we actually done something unusual, I passed a pair of motorcyclists, unheard of on my Z750 twin..

Home, a cold drink each and Graham roared off on his way home, both of us having agreed it had been an afternoon well spent

We arrived in double quick time as the Twin performed as well as ever at 70-75 0n the dual carriageway and was a joy to ride on the single carriageways. We had to collect our tickets which turned out to be VIP Paddock passes which included a pit walk through the Team Yamaha World Superbike Garage and opportunities to take pics and pose with the bikes…

We also had unlimited access to the VIP facilities with Team Yamaha all courtesy of Monster Energy Drinks and Team Yamaha

We also got to see the pit lane girls close up which Daz took full advantage of..

We also got to watch the Superbike races of course and the other events on the same venue. It was a truly extraodinary experience with all the bells and whistles laid on thanks to Daz and the sponsors of Team Yamaha – Monster Energy Drinks.

At the end of a fantastic day (I’m trying not to think of the Haircut 100 song with that phrase) it was time to head off home. Once again I mounted the Z750 and Dazza got on his slug of a ZZR1100, but he wanted to get home quickly so we split up at the A43 for him to go to the M40 and I returned via Towcester. A great ride ended a brilliant day and a huge thanks to Dazza and our corporate host Jake at Monster Energy and all the crew who made us so welcome at Team Yamaha World Superbike Racing Team.

After a short wait I heard the unmistakeable sound of a 2 stroke engine, which as it came into view I recognised as Graham on his RD400. A great looking bike with the Yamaha Yellow and black racing block designs. He was followed by Pete on his bike. A ride around the back roads leading to Stoke Bruerne showed that the RD could still cut the mustard on the corners and the 2 stroke could still pull away pretty rapidly. And a great sound issued from the twin expansion chambers attached to the exhaust ports.

At the pub it was pub quiz time and we entered as team DOH! Although we (or at least I) struggled with the outlines of the countries picture part of the quiz, somehow it was left to me the teetotaller to unscramble the spirits names in the anagrams. The quiz questions were very tough too. The final scores left us trailing into a joint second place but we were happy with the result anyway.

The ride home was interesting as now 2 of us had 70’s Japanese lighting leaving only Pete with slightly more modern lights. No matter, Graham pushed ahead and went for broke on the RD, as I followed on behind relying on my glow-worms and exceptional night vision coupled with cat-like reflexes to avoid objects which appeared suddenly in the faint glow on the road 6 feet ahead. We still managed a good speed homewards sitting at 60 ish all the way.

At home my long suffering wife made the coffes for Pete and Graham and passed out the biccies. After a little chat, Graham did his best to awaken the street with his RD as they left in a blue haze. Then I realised I hadn’t got a picture of the bikes to put up here. DOH!

All in all, apart from a little trouble starting the Z750 Twin at each end of the ride (possibly due to the petrol getting old and stale) it ran rather well. The only other niggle was that when the fuel tap is switched to the ON position it starves the fuel, but reserve position is fine if leaving it somewhat liable to running completely out of petrol at some point. Well you can’t have everything can you?

I rode to the rendez-vous point and waited for the sound of two more modern bikes ridden by Pete and Graham. A short while later and the sound arrived just before they came into view. A quick chat and a look down at a small oil drip under the Z750 confirmed what I thought, who cares, lets keep it topped up as we go and just ride the thing. Through the back roads following Graham, it’s a job in places to keep the bike pointing straight as it follows the deep furrows in the badly maintained roads and if one wheel comes out they both seem to want to go different ways, but soon the roads improve as we arrive at the Ship Inn at Stoke Bruerne a friendly and well run establishment. Drinks and (delicious) chips soon arrive courtesy of Graham and are just as quickly devoured by all as we discuss the workdays, and put the world to rights verbally.

After another drink it’s time to go homewards. Graham puts in a request that we keep to a sensible speed above the 25 mph he accuses me of maintaining usually. I protest that these two with their modern headlights are way better equipped to lead the way than my glass bowl full of tired glow worms laughingly designated a headlight by Kawasaki in the 70’s. So Pete takes the lead and Graham follows me, both using their main beams, Pete’s illuminating a path in front while Graham blinds me via the mirrors with his. In fairness my shoulders usually block the low down mirrors so Grahams light does illuminate either side of me allowing the White lines to be seen clearly for further than my headlight allows. So using Pete as a guide to what’s coming and Grahams shining example of lighting to avoid the sides we run along the A508 at a steady 60 – 65 mph all the way back to MK.

As we dismount Graham congratulates us on getting home and keeping a nice pace along the roads. Coffee is made and delivered along with biscuits as we finish the night with another pleasant chat. Then Pete and Graham head off back to Bedfordshire and I put away the Z750 and head to bed. Another fun time was had, and pleasant company and weather had made it worthwhile pulling the lump of Kawasaki up the slope of the driveway earlier in the evening.

After a little breakfast in the Cafe and a little chat we had a look around all the other bikes, which was when we noticed that the red Z750 twin from Birmingham was leaking fuel. Unfortunate for the owner who had just rebuilt the carburettors. The next bike under scrutiny was mine, which was leaking oil from one of the engine side covers. Damn it. So we all set off back home, I was sure of making it the 6 or 7 miles I had come to the event but felt for the poor guys who had lots of miles to do.

So fast forward to March 2011 when we decide to tax the Z750 Twin for a year. Enthusiasm sets in and I set about the oil leak a mere 6 months after I first spotted it. Psyching myself up to removing engine side casings I pulled out the toolkit. Tried the lower bolts where the oil was coming from and found they were slightly loose, so I tightened them up and called it job done. An oil change was carried out and then 3 kicks to fire the old girl into life. Kawasaki done a nice job, I think, if a bike 35 years old will start after 6 months lay up with just two practises and one real kick (OK it really was 3). No leaks once it was warm anyway.

The enthusiasm used up the Kawasaki Twin was sat back in its spot until today April 2nd when it was booked in for an MOT by my long suffering wife.  Washed and cleaned to make it at least look like someone cared for it, I rode it to the MOT. Felt good and all was working until half a mile away when it died as I changed down gears. Dropping the clutch got the fire burning again and handfuls of revs at the last couple of roundabouts kept it going but she sounded sick. I explained to the MOT tester who was a very nice man, and as I pushed it into his testing bay I realised that the choke was in the wrong position. It passed brake tests, all the suspension and lights worked and the engine started and ran OK for the test now the idiot rider had been sorted out and put the choke off D’oh.

Result was a new 1 year MOT certificate with the advisory that the chain needed adjusting. Returning home I immediately sprayed the chain adjuster bolts and found my biggest spanners to release the spindle nuts. A few minutes later and the sag was gone from the chain once more. A little lube just to finish the job and all is well. All that remains is for me to get a new or at least decent mudguard for the Z750 twin.

Again a pretty uneventful ride back, and coffee was prepared at my house for the guys. I’d been talking to Graham about getting his opinion on the Z750, so I offered him the chance of a lifetime ride on the Kawasaki which he accepted. Pete and I stood listening to the bike disappearing and then the sound of the exhaust as Graham rode around the small estate where I live. He came back and said the bike had nearly killed him and it didn’t do right hand turns. A claim I refuted as I never had a problem. He took it to turn it around, and came back saying the steering locked as he was turning. Strange.

We all tried the steering for bearing play, or sticking and all agreed it was fine. We recreated Grahams turning by diving the forks as we turned the handlebars (he was braking hard both times as he turned, something I rarely do as I brake in a straight line ready for the turns) when we noticed that on turning right the exhaust was hitting the mudguard if the forks were compressed quite hard. I knew the mudguard was a dodgy aftermarket one size fits all affair, and when we checked it was sticking out a long way at the rear of the wheel. Also the left hand exhaust downpipe sits a bit further forward than the right hand one, hence it only doing it one way.

So true to my usual form I rushed the bike into its parking slot, and vowed to look at it soon. Three weeks later, I decided it was soon and removed the mudguard (funds are short to buy another at the moment) and packed it off the wheel a bit closer than it had been and hopefully giving more exhaust clearance. Marking the mounting lugs on the brackets I pulled the mudguard out, and drilled the new holes. Refitted the mudguard, pulled the brake and turned the handlebars, success it now misses the exhaust. Went to wheel it back into position and found the mudguard now rubbed the wheel.

Yes the spacing had been ok when it was on the wheel, but the strengthening for the bracket was inside the mudguard and a bracket for the speedo cable pushed the mudguard over slightly, causing it to hit the wheel. Cue the swearing and much hitting with a hammer to clear it. Then cue defeatism and retiring to watch TV and miss another week of the Thursday night gang.

So today I hit the mudguard with a hammer again, and it clears the wheel now it looks terrible but it’s rideable.  I also set about a spare tank I have in the garage with a view to a bit of a colour change, as I have almost a full set of coloured parts to paint and swap without messing up the ones on the bike currently. I’ve removed the paint, and a lot of hidden filler which was filling dents in the tank. So I now have a nearly bare tank, some rubbing down paper and some primer. See you soon for more krazy Kawasaki kapers.

As usual the Kawasaki fired up perfectly, as usual it was heavy to get out to the road, and as usual it ran nicely and felt great since the last load of adjustments etc. So I met up with the guys at the appointed time, and Graham had a call from another of his mates, after some directions were given we waited for him to arrive. A little later and another phonecall of directions to a biker lost somewhere near Newport Pagnell. Still he did arrive and we did get to ride to the pub.

An uneventful but fairly quick ride to our cokes, and for Graham and Pete to fill their faces with chips. A good hour or so of chat about all kinds of stuff from bikes, to cars to films and all stops in between. Soon it’s time to saddle up for the journey home. Fired up the two cylinders and turned on the lights as it was getting dark, but there was no increase in forward visibility. Only sidelights were on. I hit the dip switch and the headlight lit up, back to low beam and nothing.

I suspected I had disturbed the wire when checking the bulb to source a Halogen replacement, so made the decision that as I had to get home I’d ride on the high beam which still didn’t blind anyone unless they crouch in front of the bike. For some reason again all the guys with their modern lights which could bring daylight to the roads ahead of us decided to follow the Kawasaki with its failing torch level of lighting.  No matter we lead and made a dash for home, and managed to keep a good speed up in the dim glow of the 70’s lighting.

It was just about a mile from home and luckily on a lit road that the high beam also went AWOL. So with just a sidelight showing people in front that I was actually there, I trundled into my street. My daughter had heard us coming and opened the gate so I could ride straight in, which was nice.

Being the kind of guy I am, the lights weren’t checked until the Wednesday a week later. I suspected a loose connection so it would be a quick and easy repair ready for a ride with the Thursday night gang again. Wrong! The headlight bulb had completely burnt away one of the (quite thick) internal wires and left a very blackened glass in its wake. It is a dead bulb, it had ceased to be. So I searched Ebay, and ordered a bulb, but missed another Thursday excursion. Happily the bulb arrived the following Saturday, and on fitting all the lights were functional again. And that’s all there is to say about that.

Thursday nights is their regular ride night so I got home on Thursday got ready, and fired up the Kawasaki’s 750cc twin engine ready to go. Two kicks saw life, and we were on our way. The handling in the first few corners was noticeably better, and roundabouts were no longer a challenge to get around at a sensible speed. So I enjoyed a quicker ride to the rendez-vous point. The suspension soaked up the roughest of bumps now without putting a shockwave through my whole body, too.

Soon Graham and Pete turned up on their beasts, and we headed out to the back roads between Newport Pagnell and Stoke Bruerne. This time, I could at least get the Z750 around the corners without slowing to a crawl, and didn’t have Pete almost rearranging the rear of the Kawasaki with the front of his Bandit every bend we came to. In fact when we made it to the pub (the Ship Inn at Stoke Bruerne) they both remarked how well it had kept up this time. Fait Accompli then.

After a couple of diet cokes, it was time to head home. The sun was fading into night and I hoped the new speedo bulb would light up the dial enough so I could keep the 60mph the other two liked to ride at. No problem there, but with the glow-worm in the headlight shell still a bit poorly forward visibility was still down to a few feet. Luckily Pete led the way along the unlit road, and Graham sat behind with his headlight lighting either side of me. We did manage to keep a steady 60-ish too and soon got back to Milton Keynes.

After my biker gang had finished their coffees and headed home I went online to find a better headlight again. I found out during our conversation that there may be a Halogen upgrade for my light, so I have ordered a halogen bulb which looks right in the picture. Hopefully I may soon have a light which I can at least use to illuminate the road enough to see if there’s a kerb imminent. Which is nice.

Hopefully I’ll be able to test it on the next meeting of the Thursday night gang.