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Why isn’t that TL125 finished, what are all those mysterious parcels in the workshop – and isn’t that another bike in there? Gerard Kane trots out a variety of lame excuses…
My mum used to tell me (and still does given half a chance) that you should finish one job before starting another. By and large, that’s sound advice and I generally try to stick to it. It’s a useful discipline in the magazine game and it helps keep things running smoothly at home too – but I just don’t seem to have quite the same iron will when it comes to bikes.
My project TL (see our May issue) has hit a bit of a sticky patch. Readers who still give a damn and have long memories might have a vague recollection of the frame, swinging arm, rear wheel and yokes being ready to rock – but they will also recall that a decent engine remains to be cobbled up out of three disparate and well-used examples and the fact that the forks are in need of a total rebuild and there’s no exhaust. Apart from that, oh and cables, wiring, seat, mudguards and a plethora of other little bits and bobs, it’s almost there. There’s a problem though – project fatigue.
You know the sort of thing I’m sure. The head wants the bike finished, but the heart says: “…hey, I’ve had a long day at work, come home and spent the remaining daylight hours pulling tiles off the roof to try and find where the poxy leak in the kitchen roof is and all I want to do is have a bite to eat and a cold beer…” I know I really should crack on and get the job finished, but I’ve temporarily run out of steam. It’s an age-old conflict but, you know, when the head and the heart slug it out it’s the head that loses out 99 per cent of the time. I suppose what I really need at the moment, is a bike I can just pull out of the shed and ride. Which is how I’ve come to be the proud owner of a 1977 Honda CR125 Elsinore…
I can explain – honestly. For a long time, I’ve been toying with the idea of having a crack at twinshock motocross before I get too old and with my 50th looming later this year, it’s getting close to being a now or never situation. Speaking to those in the know – in my case local Yamaha spares dealer Keith Alderman of Motolink (01526 344443) – it seemed a 250 would probably be the best bet for a beginner. Enough power to scare you witless, but reasonably usable too and Keith was happy to keep an eye out for a bike to suit my parsimonious budget even though he honestly felt I’d be lucky to get anything halfway decent for less than 1200 quid – but…