Ortega HWY December 27 2015

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Jerry Doe

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We had a good run up the Ortega HWY (SOCAL) and back last Sunday. Glen's BSA was doing 70+ MPH, which I thought was pretty impressive. Thought I would post some pics:

My MK3:
Ortega HWY December 27 2015


Glen's BSA:
Ortega HWY December 27 2015


Lunch:

From left to right: Glen Suneson - BSA, Me - MK3, Mark Baker - Guzzi, Mark Dambrosio CBX

Ortega HWY December 27 2015


Cooks Corner on the way back:

Ortega HWY December 27 2015


Mark & Marks Guzzi & CBX

Ortega HWY December 27 2015


Great day, good friends
 
As we've had rain here (straight from the US) for about three months solid, those pics make me feel really jealous! Please don't send any more of the wet stuff our way...:(
 
Looks nice, Jerry. Maybe when I retire I'll have to start spending my winters down there! Currently 12F here in Colorado and the back streets are all covered with ice about six inches thick. They only plow the main roads because all that sunshine we get is supposed to make all the snow melt right off. :roll:
 
Ya that was a fun ride with good friends on a beautiful day over some great roads!! It's al surprising to me how well my little BSA Shooting Star does on these rides. Makes me really want a big Norton single.. Might have to see about trading the 75 MKIII or the 70 & 75 parts bikes for one!!! Glenn T.S.
 
You mentioned 75 parts bikes, I assume that is a Norton, I may be interested in that if you are selling, Thanks
 
Hi Glenn

How is the vibration level at 70mph on the BSA?
I would also like to try a Norton big single again ( had an es2 as a kid) but I'm worried about vibes. I never noticed vibration back then but also didn't go any great distance due to the no money problem.


Glen
 
Hi Glen, it shakes like a old Brit single but really nothing that I would say annoying. I like motorcycles that let me know they are alive.. In all the years I've ridden it only had the mounting bracket for the exhaust pipe crack.. I welded it and sprayed it with high temp silver.. I do ride it hard but try not to be mean.. I really want a older Norton single or vert twin like a 650ss. Thinking of selling the 70 & 75 parts commandos or the complete 75 MKIII to finance one...
 
gtsun said:
Ya that was a fun ride with good friends on a beautiful day over some great roads!! It's al surprising to me how well my little BSA Shooting Star does on these rides. Makes me really want a big Norton single.. Might have to see about trading the 75 MKIII or the 70 & 75 parts bikes for one!!! Glenn T.S.

To share some experience. Not sure how big you refer for the Norton single. I had my '61 ES2 on a club ride back side of Mt Hamilton (east of San Jose) a few years back. This is a slim line featherbed. A BSA 441 Victor was kinda in the way in the turns, but in the straights I couldn't catch him to pass. In modified a Norton pushrod single is really slow.
 
Had to look up the Ortega Hwy. Got it, San Juan Capistrano to Elsinore. Looks nice on the map. Had not taken this in my early Commando days in Southern Cal (1973). Oh and it's 39 degrees this morning here NorCal. Appreciate the photos.
 
Is "The Lookout Roadhouse" still there overlooking Lake Elsinore? I love that place.
 
The 'Lookout" is still there. that is where we were having lunch. The Ortega HWY is the road we take to get across the mountain to decent roads. Its too over populated this side of the mountain in SOCAL.
 
My B44 Victor is a barrel of fun in the city- light and very maneuverable and quick away from a stop and everybody gives me the thumbs up- but I feel that I am abusing it at much above about 50 MPH on the highway. I will do 80 but the engine sure isn't in it happy spot when you are doing it. Kind of reminds me of a wet dog at that speed.... If I know there will be higher speeds involved on a ride I take the Commando or one of the Ducs.
 
Ya I agree about sustained high speeds on the 441. It'll do it but it does feel abusive. I don't do it on a long or regular basis.
 
Glen, wait until you get back on the commando after Jim gets the head back along with dual carbs.
 
I can't even imagine a 441 at 80mph. Or 70, heck 50. :mrgreen:

Now a Commando is just fine, even pleasant.
 
Thanks for the report and pics.

Glen, in high school I kind of shared an "almost Norton" - a Matchless 500 - with a friend, wasn't real quick but seemed like it made triple digits.
 
Ya I had a 500 AJS for a short time. Was in "barely running " state so can't use that to judge but my pal Jeb has a 49 model 18 Norton and it sure sounds like it's got some power & he's ridden it next to my 850 on freeway rides with no problems..
 
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