AJS & Matchless Owners Club

Richard - Being the eternal pessimist, and advising you to gain experience on the bike in my initial posting DOES not mean I would like to see you fall flat on your face, I wish you every success. Reading some of the French Letters (chuckle) I seem to detect bikes that are not as well prepared as they might have been, Hylomar around a carburettor? weeping push rod tubes a good sign?, and I flatly refuse to believe bits fall off a well maintained machine, but then my rides are only. 100-150 miles around Southern England.

I'm only kidding with you, Alan, I appreciate all your help, and pessimist or not, you make the forum alot of fun.

Richard, I can say that when i did a 2000 mile trip round europe two + camping gear etc. NOTHING fell off, came loose or calapsed. Most owners do 2000 miles in a year without mishap or much attention so why should doing it all in a fortnight be so different? Take it easy and you, your bike and your butt will have a good time.

On insurance i can confirm just how good Footman James are for insurance. I have insured with them for about 5 years now and currently have a fully comprehensive policy covering my 4 bikes (includes a £7000 vintage bike and a 1000cc BMW) including break down cover home and abroad fo only just over £100 pa. If you want a quote call 0121 561 6222 tell them you want a classic motorcycle policy and that you are an AJS&MOC or VMCC member. Les Smith

Thanks Les. I've already taken the FJ insurance; I assume the low premiums and inclusion of breakdown cover is simply a reflection of the low risk that they consider us to be!

So now we know that if we want humorous answers we pose a question in General but if we want serious ones it's to be in Help. Have you noticed how the replies come from the same people?

I'm back to General because I know nothing.

That's exactly what I figured out, Janet(with a little help from you). General is for shakespeare-quoting, Help is for the boring old bike stuff. Officially speaking, this message is breaking the etiquette.

Yes FJ initially dealt only with the VMCC with generally older, slower, lower mileages than even us lot and got a good track record. mind you now Z1300, CBX et al become VMCC elegible it might change? My BMW R100RT is a 1979 model and soon greeted into the VMCC fold by the 25 year rule.

Les Smith

Dont know anything about touring in France but last year I did 1200 miles around Tasmania with a 54 18S - no problems at all except for the front brake plate coming loose. My own fault. John Powell NZ