Hansen Dam British motorbike ride

brokeneagle

brokeneagle

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Sunday November 7th is the annual Hansen Dam British Motorcycle event. According to Sothern California Norton Owners it is "unofficial" but British motorbikes will gather at Hansen Dam, Lake View Terrace California on the first Sunday in November as long as British motorbikes exist in Southern California and ride the traditional loop for as long as the roads are there. IMHO
 
No t-shirts or pins this year. It's a little confusing that the SCNOC web site still lists it as an official ride, with all the trimmings, but their FB page says it was cancelled due to Forest Closures, but is now back on as an unofficial ride. I'm assuming the FB info is the latest, and the Forest Closures are over. In any case, it should still be a fun event and a good ride.

Ken
 
For an unofficial meet there was a pretty good turnout. Weather was nice, and the ride was fun. I clocked the loop at 80 miles round trip from the dam parking lot. Quite a few bikes had already left for the ride when I took these pictures, but they still give a fairly good picture of the turnout.

View looking North.

Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


View looking South.

Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


View looking West from the North end.

Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


This is a shot of our group at a rest stop along the way. The red 961 is mine, the green MK3 is my grandson's, and behind it is his friend's Kawi 650 Versys.

Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


This is a shot of Chris (elefantrider on the forum) with his yellow Norton and his friend Pierre on his Blue roadster. Chris is the only forum member I could identify, but I suspect there were others.

Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


I'll post pictures of the other Nortons I managed to catch in a following post.

Ken
 
More Nortons. Black seemed to still be the most popular color for Commandos.

Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


Ken
 
And the last of them. There were other Commandos there, but I wasn't quick enough to get pictures of them.

Red and Yellow Roadsters 1200.jpg


Green Fastback at Break 1200.jpg


I did barely manage to get a shot of this featherbed bike as it was heading out.

Featherbed Going By 1200.jpg


Already looking forward to next year. Hopefully that will be an official event with t-shirts and pins.:D

Ken
 
elefantrider said:
I'll be there probably with a 750 SS. If you see it, drop in to say hi.
Chris

62DED767-F48E-4D7B-B295-52D41674C572.jpeg

62DED767-F48E-4D7B-B295-52D41674C572.jpeg

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I meant to find you and say hi but the first time I saw that yellow Commando, it was headed out for the ride. I returned to the dam after riding the loop but not many came back after. I think "IRCKEN" and his grandson's bike were parked at the 49er. I didn;t go in, just stopped to bullshit and rode on. Perfect day and great turnout.
 
brokeneagle said:
I meant to find you and say hi but the first time I saw that yellow Commando, it was headed out for the ride. I returned to the dam after riding the loop but not many came back after. I think "IRCKEN" and his grandson's bike were parked at the 49er. I didn;t go in, just stopped to bullshit and rode on. Perfect day and great turnout.
Click to expand...

Yep. That was us. Perfect place to stop for lunch. These are the bikes. That's grandson Ken and his girl friend getting ready to leave, with my bike on the left.

Hansen Dam British motorbike ride


Ken
 
That pickup wasn't there because we were for this pic. I lived in Sand Canyon before moving to North Carolina. I fly out every year for this. These Hinkleys are and old friends. I rode the black and white to Acton and rode that white anniversary back to the dam. A very nice motorbike. I spoke to your grandson at the Swannanoa rally a few years back. I said you are the youngest guy here. He said " My grandfather built this for me"
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Thanks, brokeneagle. Nice words to hear. The bike was a basket case project we both worked on, but most of the work fell on the retired guy with time available. There's a build post on it here:

New MK3 Project for NC Rally, Maybe

I'm finally getting far enough along in this project to post some pictures. This is a MK3 that I bought from a friend who had it for years, and finally decided he was never going to get to it. It was missing a few bits, like tank and seat, and in need of a rebuild, but mostly there. I bought...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

and some updates here:

Spondon Rear Brake for MK3

I just finished this change to the MK3 project previously detailed here, https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/new-mk3-project-for-nc-rally-maybe.19259/ and thought it might interest other MK3 owners. The caliper is a Spondon substitute for the AP Lockheed caliper popular with vintage...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

Ken
 
lcrken said:
For an unofficial meet there was a pretty good turnout. Weather was nice, and the ride was fun. I clocked the loop at 80 miles round trip from the dam parking lot. Quite a few bikes had already left for the ride when I took these pictures, but they still give a fairly good picture of the turnout.


This is a shot of Chris (elefantrider on the forum) with his yellow Norton and his friend Pierre on his Blue roadster. Chris is the only forum member I could identify, but I suspect there were others.

View attachment 82646
Click to expand...

That is not Pierre on the blue Roadster. That was me. Pierre rode with us on his Vincent.
 
NickZ said:
That is not Pierre on the blue Roadster. That was me. Pierre rode with us on his Vincent.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the mistake, Nick. Chris corrected me about that, and I meant to correct the post, but forgot.

Ken
 
Hey guys!
I blew it, didn't realize the date was coming and despite living four miles from Hansen Dam, failed to get in a cage to drive over there.

As you may recall, I got run over about a year ago; my recuperation continues. Actually, I could ride now . . . . . if I had to. Still not a good idea though; my left hand and arm, need to recover more function and strength.

Next year we should have an AccessNorton flag or something to get us all together. I know Chris and Ken but don't think I've met you others.
 
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