Dungog 2008

First day back at work after two weeks holidays. I was able to do our Dungog run on Sunday. Decided to take the 16H. I knew I'd be riding alone!!! Arrived at Maccas Greenhills to a 50 / 50 mix of Nortons and non Nortons.

I had only ridden the 16H once since the Unapproachable. It wouldn't rev out. I had been getting bits together for the original type 276 carb and decided to swap it over. When I pulled the other carb off the bike I found the fuel lines almost blocked with crud, so put the early carb on and she ran quite well straight up which was a good sign.

Took it for a blap around the block and was so enthused I decided to take it to Dungog!!!!

Sunday morning early and I'm off. Bike going like a jet, no speedo, but I'm easily keeping up with the traffic. Almost out to Greenhills and it came to a complete stop. Another fuel blockage. Cleared that and she's off again. Got to Maccas to the aforementioned mix of 50 /50 Nortons & non Nortons. We headed off, Quinny on his bright red triumph sprint hung back with me while the others disappeared into the distance. First stop was Vacy pub. The 16H had been running a little strained, as though there was something holding it back, although Quinny said we'd been doing around 90kph for the good flat bits. I pulled off the carb bowl and checked for crud. All looked OK. Lifted the needle a notch to richen it up a bit. Off we went again for The Beatty at Gresford. Bike went like a rocket.

After a spell at Gresford we headed across to Dungog via the Bingleburra Range Rd. The pull up the Bingleburra range is a test for any machine let alone 71 year old side valve 500. Back to third and she was poundin' the choke lever was slipping around letting the choke slide drop in the carb, right when I needed full throttle, back to second and hold the choke wide open as well as wide open throttle, two hands on the right handle bar. Second gear was blasting up the steep bits as we crest the range and shift into third again and finally back into top for the run down the other side. Reddo & Trish on their Commando were hanging with me. As gravity aided the horses in the 500 sidewhacker I was hanging on for dear life. The roads in these parts are not the best and the bumps can send the rigid rear sky high if you are not careful. This gets pretty tricky on the corners because as well as going skywards, the rear also goes sideways and can step out dramatically. Trish normally rides a 1934 250 BSA, also girder forked and rigid rear and commented later that it was fun to watch someone else handle this type of suspension over these roads. She could relate to all of it and was enjoying the comfort of the Commando suspension while watching the rigid rear antics in front. Reddo clocked the 16H at 65mph going down the range.

Pulled into Dungog for a well earned spell for bike and shaken rider. Grabbed a pie at the local snack bar and headed off for the pub at Clarence Town. Another good run, 16H going like a train. Bit more chat at Clarence Town and as the sun was starting to get below the yard arm it was time to get the 16H home. Headlights on these are not the best, so to be home well before dark is not a bad thing. Trundled off across to Bolwarra Heights, Maitland and a few back roads to Mt. Sugarloaf and drop down to the metropolis of Newcastle and home.

Must have done somewhere between 150 & 200 k.l.m. over all sorts of country and all sorts of roads. 1937 16H going like a jet. Tighten a few nuts and maybe try a richer slide in the carb and she'll be all tuned up for the annual HVNOC Top of the Valley run on 23rd / 24th August.

The Top of the Valley Run is the HVNOC designated clunker run aimed specifically at the older singles and twins.

BP