06/05/13 - May Day run to Hastings

[halfabusa]

Just got back home, hope all others make it safe back too. Met with Richie, Funky and Doug a locksbottom. Richie got on the way to hastings before i met up with funky and doug, we then followed later around 10am.

This year was nothing like previous years! Unbelievable amount of bikes/traffic on the way. It took us 2,5 hours to get to Hastings. Luckily we found the same spot as last year to park up and walked around. We took the lift to the hill (dunno what it's called) and got some lovely photos from up above (will post shortly)

Then we walked around for another hour before stopping at the beach to have some lunch. Richie found us later on too!

Stayed for an hour chatting, then got on our way, taking a long and scenic route through kent, towards ashford, maidstone, then on to M20.

All in all, great day, loads of sunshine, lovely roads on the way back, but trip to Hastings was not that enjoyable with millions of power ninjas darting in and out.

Thanks all! I'll post the photos as soon as i can find some time.

[DougL]

It was a lovely day but the A21 was a mess. Solid traffic with a solid line of filtering bikes Never seen so many bikes in one place. The ride home after talking general nonsense and getting sunburnt on the beach was much better - over to Rye, up to Tenterden then Bissenden and Maidstone, finally heading up the M20. Just in but lost Funky at the Dartford tunnel just before I turned down the A13.

[Funkycowie]

you went to the left tunnel and I went to the right

It was a great day... but yeah I have a sunburnt forehead and because I was wearing my sun glasses I look like a reverse panda

[richie the 1st]

Now my turn,been doing this run for last 24-25 years.This is the best I have ever seen it,better planned,better organised by the local council,good weather,full of 2 wheeled/3 wheeled machines.
Left locksbotton with mate of mine about 9.30.Got parked up about 11.30 by the old pier counldnt get any closer,met with other MM.Had walk around Macdonalds food,then left around 5,45.Rode back,ever one went past me,i didn't mind,stopped on A21 For rest,bloody noisy so jumped back on A21/M25/A21 Past Pratts Bottom [Yes it does exist]Locksbottom/Round Bromley them it Happened Scoot cut out.Bollocks Coasted to side road,it just wouldn't start,so called RAC Wanted about1 hour,then van appeared,still wouldn't start,so RAC Bloke put his voltmeter over the fuses nothing.Tried fuel pump,no power so that's it,He couldn't take me home.?????
So brake down flat trunk appeared,got home about 10.05pm.

[richie the 1st]

Now my turn,been doing this run for last 24-25 years.This is the best I have ever seen it,better planned,better organised by the local council,good weather,full of 2 wheeled/3 wheeled machines.
Left locksbotton with mate of mine about 9.30.Got parked up about 11.30 by the old pier counldnt get any closer,met with other MM.Had walk around Macdonalds food,then left around 5,45.Rode back,ever one went past me,i didn't mind,stopped on A21 For rest,bloody noisy so jumped back on A21/M25/A21 Past Pratts Bottom [Yes it does exist]Locksbottom/Round Bromley them it Happened Scoot cut out.Bollocks Coasted to side road,it just wouldn't start,so called RAC Wanted about1 hour,then van appeared,still wouldn't start,so RAC Bloke put his voltmeter over the fuses nothing.Tried fuel pump,no power so that's it,He couldn't take me home.?????
So brake down flat trunk appeared,got home about 10.05pm.
Tuesday morning Rang up AA Home start,got it with scoot when bought,1st van came out,scoot didn't start,so he couldn't take me to dealer..????????????
2nd AA Van turned up 30 mins later,couldnt go with it,to Doble.s had to go to work.[By pushbike]
Picked it up yesterday[went by train cost me £2.20p]Doble bloke said " Nothing wrong with it...????????" They put a new spark plug in,rode it back,used it today.it ok.I Don't no.????? They was no power going into the fuel pump saw it my self.??? So what I don't no..???
After 56000 miles miles on 2 Honda sh125,nothing,new one,1 Month old 400 miles broke down..????????????????
1 good thing,it doing 118mpg.Much more then the old ones.

[Dave Weller]

It's done much more than 118mpg, if you add the mileage on the breakdown truck. Wonder if the Battery terminals are tight, or the (king) lead between the battery and fuse box is faulty. The main earth lead could also be loose. Probably something done wrong at PDI.
Doble's did make mistakes on my S-Wing PDI, the tyres were pumped up to 33psi each, much to high for it, in the wrong hands it would have been very unsafe.