Andymann

Oh and I might just have bought in my World what I consider to be a Holy Grail. In 1984 my Dad bought me 3 x DT's - they were scrap bikes from ISCOR and I think he paid R20 each. That got me into bikes and started my love for Yamaha DT's. From those 3 I built two - a 125 which I learnt to ride on, and a 175 that I sold to my brother for University. When the time came for me to find University transport it was of course a DT175. I always felt that if I could find another original one I would consider it - and over December I did - so I did a quick trip down to the South Coast - Uvongo and bought it. One owner and very very very original......

It's not even the real deal - when I was in 2nd year I think, we all got given a beta version to test and I have just kept mine. If you think that's old, you should see the Laptop I am running it on - Windows XP because it won't run on anything later than that! But as my Dad used to say, sometimes the fastest route is the route you know and for the small drawings I do I really couldn't be bothered to learn a new Drawing package

Some Engineering today to stir up the grey matter..... my '31 GTP was missing these headlight stays. No way was I going to ever find any even in the UK so dug out my ancient copy of ACAD R14 and copied something as best I can. Got the Apprentices to make the jig for me and during lunch we all gathered and bent some SS bars..... The Anoraks will say they are nowhere near the shape of the originals but I think after I paint them you will be pretty hard pressed to spot the difference.....

Only took me another 3 years 🙄

I sold a perfectly restored Venom which was licensed for this. My Dad bought this years ago, in boxes, and was going to be the last bike he built. He never got round to it, so I have decided to finish it for him, and I'm going to spend he better part of the money I got for the Venom to do this. This bike will be the best restoration I have ever done and will be a tribute to him. Watch this space!

So I did something pretty crazy this December. In 2001 I bought a Velocette Venom 500 - I had just sold my MG and I wanted something that I could ride with my Dad (there's a pattern here!). I paid R45000 for it - it was restored by a guy who had money and time and was largely viewed as the best restored Venom in South Africa and probably in the world - no exaggerations. It was my bike, but my Dad loved it. In fact he rode it more than I did. Problem was, it was never really mine - because someone else had built it, I never really felt an attachment. And with my Dad gone, it just stood in the garage. So I sold it..... Now for the crazy part.....

Same as the AG200 - the Farmers need to get off and on quite quickly and if they are on a camber they need a stand on both sides to allow for whichever way the camber is sloping. AG200 also has a locking mechanism on the clutch so that you don't need to find neutral - you just pull in the clutch, lock it and then let it idle in gear while you hop off and open the gate....

Will a Clamp-on MTB FD work for you? I'm sure I have a SRAM X9 FD lying in a box somewhere.....

I've just seen the page number and it reminded me about that time Kawasaki couldn't be bothered trying to sort out the midrange on their ZX6-R so just said screw it and added an extra 36cc.....

You're a sucker for punishment aren't you..... I buy my vehicles using a very simple theory - I'd rather be unimpressed than annoyed. If there was ever a manufacturer that didn't subscribe to that theory it will be a Laverda.... Having said that, I happily be annoyed owning one of these

So those are really interesting bikes - a future classic for sure. They got quote a bad rap, especially here in SA because everyone was anticipating this was the new VMax and when it arrived it was very disappointing - Massive Torque (see what I did there!) but not much else. Redline is at 4500rpm if I remember correctly. We brought in 50 to SA and eventually had to dribble them out as demos. R1 forks, R1 brakes, not an R1 swing arm (although very close), and a XVS1900 motor. Save some money for the proper Akrapovic pipes - they sound great with them! But don't expect Superbike performance.......

We're also based in Pretoria and have been using Hot Spot for ages. They are a nice bunch. Shameless plug here but Dinamic Coaching Gauteng is also based in Pretoria so if you really want to take your Triathlon journey further, or just have questions you are welcome to drop me a message and I will help wherever I can.

Unless those Dura Ace shifters are worn out they should be fine with the 105 RD - I wouldn't spend money replacing them. A set of TT clip-ons isn't that expensive - there will be loads of used ones for you to buy. The rule of thumb for speed is to look at everything that rotates - so check that your BB is in good condition and then keep an eye out for a nice set of wheels - there are lots available now that everyone is going to disk brakes and because you are still on 10sp, there are really bargains - a lot of the older Zipp 303 and 404 wheels can't be upgraded to 11sp so they are basically only useful to someone like yourself. And they are bulletproof too,

Looked back to see if I could see what bike you used in the end - was it a road bike or did you settle on the MTB? A lot of Athletes that we coach use MTB cleats in place of Road cleats - they actually prefer it because they are able to put their MTB shoes on in transition and run with their shoes already on - running in road shoes is always a bit sketchy. Unless you have budget to buy new Tri shoes with new pedals I don't think that is something you need to worry about right now.

My Brother in CT is selling his 748R and his 999R but both red unfortunately..... And I recently started putting feelers out to sell my XTZ - After the recent Fairest Cape I just don't see myself doing another Rally and I really only bought it to ride with my Dad. It's not the most desirable Tenere of the bunch but the XT/Thumper FB page where I put the ad had quite a few hits, just nothing concrete. Time of the year I guess.....