North Coast 500 last August

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Billbott
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2016 7:30 pm
Rides:: 1965 Honda C100 1981 Yamaha RD350LC 1995 Suzuki DR350 2000 Honda C90 2017 BMW S1

North Coast 500 last August

Post by Billbott » Tue Nov 28, 2017 1:33 pm

So, the North Coast 500 on Honda 90’s.
We set of on Sunday morning 13th August at 8.30am from Bolton, up through the usual Kirkby Lonsdale and over Shap. Rather than follow the exact route, we headed to the West coast Port of Ardrossan. We took a diversion to ride the ‘raiders trail’ we had heard about which was basically a track through woodland – C90 suspension ensures you feel rut and bump!
Total mileage for the day was over 270, but due to the relaxed riding position it was easy.
Monday morning was lashing it down, but we stuck to the plan and caught the ferry across to Arran, minor mishap on the way when Daz hit a patch of diesel, filled his pants but he stayed on. We then rode clockwise, the long way around to the ferry port at the top and missed the boat by 10 minutes! Due to inclement weather we ended up waiting 5 hours for the next crossing… It was then 100 miles across to Fort William and we arrived at 8pm.
Tuesday we rode 50 miles across to Malaig from where we would sail over to Skye… The ferry port shite hawk couldn’t wait to tell us there was no room until 6.30pm – not even my charm would sway him so it was back to Fort William and up to Applecross via the Bealach na Bar (Applecross Pass) – great fun and a bit more trail riding when we got to the top. Stayed in the Applecross Inn, fantastic views, good trough and a few beers…
Wednesday up to Ullapool over some more brilliant roads and stayed in a crappy old hotel. The midgies made an appearance too along with some rain.
Thursday was the best day, right across the top of Scotland in the sunshine to Thurso via Durness. The views are stunning. Met up with a couple of lads off this C90 forum along the way, (Mikey Sunter) then another one of our mates met us at Thurso having couriered his scoot all the way up! When we got to the hotel, Chip, the lad who met us looked a bit wobbly on his bike so we checked and found that 12 of the 36 spokes in his back wheel had broken!!! How it stayed in one piece defies belief – Mikey from Thurso saved the day - he had a spare so we fitted that so he could continue.
Friday down to Inverness via John ‘O’ Groats, the weather had turned and it was open A roads, not ideal for 6 C90’s but we held them flat out for mile after mile without a single problem.
Saturday we rode down to Peebles but disaster again struck Chip: he came off just outside Peebles. His front end failed – two top bolts from his forks had fallen out causing the front wheel to tuck under and wedge into the engine! Long story short, his mate and his missus drove all the way up and rescued him at 1.30am – he was ok luckily, just bumped and bruised.
Sunday we headed home via Devils Bridge. No-one seemed to believe where we had been. Home by 6pm.
Not a single puncture or mechanical failure for the 5 that set off and came back. All the bikes ticked over silently. Unbelievable really considering they had been thrashed for a total of 1450 miles each! Each used maybe an egg cup full of oil.
Few photo’s of the trip:
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Newtsalad
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Rides:: XL1200c, Cali III, C125,GS750,XV535,XL350,BN125,C90's,C200's,CT200,Little Cub's
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Re: North Coast 500 last August

Post by Newtsalad » Tue Nov 28, 2017 1:43 pm

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing. :D

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Bogger
Maintenance Stasi
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Re: North Coast 500 last August

Post by Bogger » Tue Nov 28, 2017 3:05 pm

Well done lads. It's a great route. Me and the Mrs tackled it on the Bee Em in July. We both really enjoyed it. I'd do it again but on the Cub next time ;)

Bogger

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Geoff from Preston
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Re: North Coast 500 last August

Post by Geoff from Preston » Tue Nov 28, 2017 8:58 pm

Brilliant Bogger! Thanks for a very good read. Super photos.
After all that summer action will you still be able to do the New Years Eve Run?
I’ll buy your fish & chips……………………………….Honest :shock:

Billbott
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2016 7:30 pm
Rides:: 1965 Honda C100 1981 Yamaha RD350LC 1995 Suzuki DR350 2000 Honda C90 2017 BMW S1

Re: North Coast 500 last August

Post by Billbott » Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:35 pm

Here is the video of us going over the applecross pass:


http://youtu.be/XuTPLYxaWkE

Billbott
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2016 7:30 pm
Rides:: 1965 Honda C100 1981 Yamaha RD350LC 1995 Suzuki DR350 2000 Honda C90 2017 BMW S1

Re: North Coast 500 last August

Post by Billbott » Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:45 pm

Another video of the trip:

http://youtu.be/SVU2lUXxDaU

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knapdog
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Rides:: '96 C90, '83 C90C, '98 Honda Valkyrie
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Re: North Coast 500 last August

Post by knapdog » Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:50 am

Love stories like this.

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