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by NATURAL ANKLING
11 Dec 2023, 12:20pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?
Replies: 856
Views: 51738

Re: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?

Hi,
Paulatic wrote: 13 Nov 2023, 1:22pm
NATURAL ANKLING wrote: 13 Nov 2023, 11:11am I'm just being realistic would I want independence if I was living in Scotland.
You have to accept what independence would really mean as opposed to hanging on to a lifeline paid for by another country?
Obviously I don’t think you would want independence.
Yes that’s right not a single person or business in Scotland pays tax and obviously no resources have ever propped up a U.K. Gov. :roll:

I have always said that it doesn't bother me if Scotland goes independent.
But I think it would bother a lot of people south of the border, and I'm not completely unconcerned what would happen.
Like when we have Covid and financial meltdowns which we have had in my lifetime for sure, propping up another country would find themselves lowdown on the list for handouts.
You'll forgive me I've not kept up to speed on this subject.
But my personal opinion it's just that of one person just like any other person on here we're all individuals, any amount of me saying Scotland will not get independence it's not gonna affect Scottish independence one iota.
so you need not worry about my opinions.
But as we say with politics like with our politics and Scottish politics and even Welsh politics do we really need any more Miss Mash To complicate things even more.

My two pet hates.
Austerity and devolution.
The first one is misused a lot as it's all seen as a derogatory thing, The second I'm not sure is always a very good idea in handing over large amounts of power and the pursestrings to even more selfish and brain-dead counsellors.
You'll forgive me for being a bit pessimistic but I prefer see what's coming rather than take a shot in the dark and say we need to change, as with voting change sometimes brings on feeling of euphoria others it brings on fear.
by NATURAL ANKLING
11 Dec 2023, 12:05pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?
Replies: 856
Views: 51738

Re: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?

Hi,
Jdsk wrote: 13 Nov 2023, 11:54am Whatever it was that happened in the SNP will delay any further steps.

But defence isn't a major problem. An independent Scotland in NATO and the EU wouldn't be especially small or especially vulnerable. And would probably avoid the distraction of attempting to be able to project military power anywhere in the world.

Jonathan
The EU?
I thought getting in the EU was quite a difficult job along with if they were too small they wouldn't get in anyway?
Why because the big guns in the EU don't particularly want to support a small country without a lot of money, we are big subsidies would be paid in and not come out of That country?
by NATURAL ANKLING
11 Dec 2023, 12:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Planet X going bust?
Replies: 16
Views: 4430

Re: Planet X going bust?

hi,
I brought quite a bit of stuff from planet X in the past but I'm worried about placing any orders now?

I see they are still selling mountain bikes with carbon forks?
This is after a doctor was paralysed from the waist down after carbon fork collapsing on him from planet X?
by NATURAL ANKLING
13 Nov 2023, 11:11am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?
Replies: 856
Views: 51738

Re: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?

Hi,
So 2 1/2 years down the line we are now seven an a half years left to run.
Has anything changed?
Does anybody think anything will change?
I can't see anything changing in my lifetime.
Why because if Scotland truly became independent they would be a separate country and we would no longer have that deal with them they would then be incredibly vulnerable to be taken over invaded by sea, By any number of countries with enough clout and hardware to force them south of the border.
I'm just being realistic would I want independence if I was living in Scotland.
You have to accept what independence would really mean as opposed to hanging on to a lifeline paid for by another country?
by NATURAL ANKLING
6 Nov 2023, 11:29am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Monster vehicles
Replies: 67
Views: 6698

Re: Monster vehicles

Hi,
They could always do what Japan does.
Limit the size of vehicles in towns, unless you have somewhere off-road to park it.

If you are limited by the size of the vehicle and you had to park it on the road but you could park it outside your house like a lot of people do.
What would you rather do, parking outside your house or leave it 2 miles down the road.
by NATURAL ANKLING
5 Nov 2023, 8:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best wishes for Brucey
Replies: 613
Views: 73386

Re: Best wishes for Brucey

Hi,
Every time I use one of Brucey's methods
I remember him.
Glad to see you're back.
by NATURAL ANKLING
19 Jul 2023, 12:59am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
How I ever used to ride all year on a motorbike I have no Idea.
Its not comfortable, especially in winter in the dark and rain.
Visibility is the worst, and you tend to get a sense that you peer through the visor and are gambling on pointing the bike in the right direction, lifting the visor is a necessity..............

Pedal power, If I have not been out for a while due to bad weather, I just bite the bullet and even when its bad weather I feel better than if I had not gone out.

Your keen 230 miles in the rain :P
by NATURAL ANKLING
15 Jul 2023, 9:12am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
Yes the Ninja :x

Ill get over it................

Not riding weather at the mo
by NATURAL ANKLING
14 Jul 2023, 5:07pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
Dropped My New bike in the garden :(
Fortunately just a few scratches :)
Could of been worse..................
Nothing broken and bent, saved by falling on my mates old bike :lol:
Struggled to pick it up but its not that heavy, muscle weakness due to side effects of meds, even so I managed 126 miles overnight recently on pedal power, I was surprised I stayed on the bike all the way.
Wrong side of bike whilst pushing it back, I have dropped most of my bikes at one time or another, this bike has no crash protection though.
by NATURAL ANKLING
11 Jul 2023, 11:14pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
Imagine going back to chain drive on cars :shock:
It's bad enough having this calipers on bicycles and people just ignoring the pads till they no longer work or start making silly noises.
The main reason bikes don't have shaft drives are because they're expensive to Manufacture, Also adds weight.
My Kawasaki GT 550 back in the 80s had a 4.7 gallon tank fifty in a gallon flat out, and also had a shaft drive.
That's the BIKE I did lands end to John O'Groats on in the day, back when the roads were clearer, My mate had to carry a spare petrol container on his rack.
by NATURAL ANKLING
11 Jul 2023, 10:29pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
reohn2 wrote: 11 Jul 2023, 5:10pm NA
Glad you're enjoying the Kwacker and you have the room and time for restoring some classics :D
On the Deauville, there's a beautiful white low mileage 2009 one on AutoTrader for £3,700 a real looker!:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-detai ... 7109506889
Thanks.
Interestingly the ninja 650 (my bike) has very similar engine performance to the Deauville.
It rides like a V twin too, because of the 180 degree crank, just over 100 Ibs lighter, horses for courses :)
I really wanted a V twin, and will look a gain at the Deauville.

Deauville-
66.2 N⋅m (48.8 lb⋅ft) @ 6,500 rpm and 48.3 kW (65 hp) @ 8,000 rpm.
Kawa 650 -
64 N•m {6.5 kgf•m} / 6,700 rpm and 50.2 kW {68 PS} / 8,000 rpm.

The same motor is used in several Kawasaki models, the custom version delivers the power slightly lower than the ninja.
by NATURAL ANKLING
11 Jul 2023, 3:56pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
Cowsham wrote: 6 Jul 2023, 2:47pm
tatanab wrote: 6 Jul 2023, 11:29am My dearly beloved ex wife had a Guzzi V50 for a time. She was short of stature which is why we got it when she passed her test on a CG125. I rode it sometimes and found it quite pleasant.

Adding those to my catalogue of engine configurations - I have ridden 125 single cylinder; parallel twins of 250, 500 and 750; V twin in both configurations (500 and 600); and a boxer 800. I have never ridden a triple or a 4 cylinder. Hence I have ridden Honda, Triumph, Triton, Guzzi, Ducati and BMW. Not had anything for 20 years now, just no use for one - although I do have unrealistic fantasies.

Back when I started, I got my K4 Honda 250 in order to carry my time trial/road race pedal cycle to races when I moved towns and lost the previous lifts from club mates.
I had the CB250K two tone tank 1969 model but seemed a very old bike ( to the young me ) me da bought me in 1977 ( for buttons ) when I was about 14. It could've done about 95MPH. It was very noisy and very heavy for a 250.

My unrealistic dream was wanting a CB TwoFifty the later version that purred sweetly and had the low rider style.
When I could finally afford a second hand one mid nineties and got a test ride I was disappointed by the gutless engine and gave it a by ball.
The Honda CB250 was a budget CB77 actually a CB72, the former was a 305cc.
The CB 72/77 was too expensive to mass produce so born was the CB250.
https://www.classic-motorcycle.com/Cont ... -ohc/a0075
https://www.honda-classics.co.uk/cb72.
Me and my mates all owned a CB250 K3/4, 27 bhp.
My mate currently has a CB77-two CB250's - one K4 and the forerunner a CB250 K1 - the K1 had 30 bhp and was seen in the adverts in m/c news. He also has a CB160 - now that is very sought after and I told him to leave it to me in his will! :P
https://www.cycleworld.com/honda-cb160- ... emembered/
The CB500T formerly black bomber - I think 400 450 and 500 guise ate bonnies for breakfast :mrgreen:
But they were reliable 12V and kick and electric start.
I have a CB500T in my shed along with a C92 125.
https://www.bonhams.com/auction/19163/l ... e-3508132/
I also have a CB250 K1 with a spare engine in the garage.
https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/clas ... z1303zgar/

I owned british bikes but is was very frustrating jus to keep them roadworthy :(

Motorcycling has changed today, they are no longer oil leaking noisy machines of yester year.
I have run in virtually my Kawasaki Ninja 650.
I goes its stops handles like nothing I have ridden before, it eats Tesla's and X7's for breakfast, its easy to ride around town and has all the usual ABS and Traction control.
Water cooled, the only thing missing is shaft drive.
Seriously I actually don't know how many motorcycles I currently own, but they will keep me amused restoring them well into retirement.
by NATURAL ANKLING
4 Jul 2023, 11:50pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
If you understood those above, prepare for some mind numbing stuff :P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwtZkHoVMso
by NATURAL ANKLING
4 Jul 2023, 11:31pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
For the technical-
Crankshaft 4 Cylinder Cross Plane.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEXUrO5wYcE
Crankshaft 3 Cylinder T Plane.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU7faKiQleM
4 Cylinder Comparisons 4 vs. V4 vs. Boxer 4 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQlyS2rw-sk
by NATURAL ANKLING
3 Jul 2023, 3:04pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Any other motorcyclists here?
Replies: 399
Views: 18985

Re: Any other motorcyclists here?

Hi,
Did try a Triumph Street Triple but it simply had too much power and no character...............Despite it looks.
They reckon that the triumph rocket 3 pulls your arms out of your sockets.................... :P
Yet to get a road test on one of them ................