Well we made it!!

Bruce Methven and I entered the VMCC West Kent International Run on our 741s; Bruce’s in civilian trim, mine military and on its first proper run since I bought it a couple of years ago. The run went from the Friary at Aylesford, through the Kent countryside to Rochester and Faversham with lunch at The Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway and back for tea; about 80 miles. Rain threatened so we wore our waterproofs and that kept it at bay all day. The bikes went well and of the 450 bikes on the run there were only 6 breakdowns. There were 5 Indians entered on the run, a 101 and 4 741s. At the end of the day I decided not to wear the waterproofs so it was torrential rain all the way home! The bike died on Westerham Hill with the distributor full of water but a wipe with a cloth and it got me home.

On the Sunday I got the bike out to go back to the show and have the bike on our club stand. I thought I would give the distributor another wipe and I broke the spring contact on the rotor arm; twice in a month. So I went back on my ‘45’. It was a great day, good weather, loads of people, autojumble and a great club stand with Knobby’s tepee as the centrepiece. Lots of Indians on the stand and around the show. When the prizegiving was due I found out that they were going to give me best 1940s bike for the 741 but as it wasn’t there on the Sunday I didn’t get it, a bit disappointing but at least Sybil went up to collect Best Club Stand. Well done to all who helped. I’d like to thank Mike for picking up a new Distributor rebuild kit from Alan at Robertsbridge the next day so we are back on the road again.

Clive Brandon