Meeting up to start the procession

Just after 10am 9 Wings met at Hooton,Wirral for the 10 mile trip to Alan’s house in Upton, Wirral.

We waited until 10.20am for any stragglers but none arrived.

After a non eventful trip up the M53 we stopped off at our 2nd meeting place, The Seven Stiles, which has now been re-named The Fender.

At 10.40 am after waiting a few minutes in the car park for Bob & Marlene on their trike,  which made it 10 machines in all, we rode the 1/4 mile to Alan & Joyce’s house.

On arrival we came across quite a few family members outside enjoying the nice weather, accompanied by a large contingent of Coastguards (male and female) in their No 1 uniforms and an array of official 4X4 rescue vehicles.

At 11am the entourage set off for Landican Crematorium, starting with a Coastguard vehicle with all flashing blue and red emergency lights on, followed by the hearse and funeral limousines with friends and family.

The 10 GoldWings, led by Lyn & I, rode behind in a staggered formation, to be escorted at the rear by the remaining several coastguard vehicles, with all their blues an twos flashing.

We were escorted through the 4 sets of traffic lights and one very busy traffic island so not having to stop at any point to the crematorium.

I and the other GoldWing riders felt it was a fantastic and impressive send off for Alan.

In the chapel the celebration of Alan’s life was hosted in a very professional way by Humanist Minister Suzanne Jones, who gave the congregation many stories of Alan’s life from his childhood to the day he passed away, many from lifelong friends.

After the service we all travelled 3 miles to The Red Cat pub where we had coffee and a buffet lunch (non drivers had alcoholic drinks).

Joyce and family were very pleased that one of Alan’s last wishes was fulfilled and the Goldwing fraternity did him proud, we’re sure he was riding with us and would have loved it all.

God bless and rest in peace, Alan.

Dave & Lyn Crowley

Q also got a fabulous one of Nigel’s prize-winning bike from the back of Ed’s.

So here they are!

To accompany their written and pictorial report of the Hunstanton GoldWings Static Display 2012, John and Marilyn Wheatley have also compiled an excellent video on this increasingly well attended annual event.

It was a very good turnout of Wings, considering the weather. Every one seemed to enjoy themselves whilst earning money for charity which is fantastic.

Five out of the Six best lit bike trophies went to our club.

• Best 1800 Nigel Macintosh.
• Best Trike Carl Lewis,
• Best Classic Trevor Durber
• Lord Mayor’s Choice – Bob Evans
• and last, but not least I hope, me for Best 1200

I think It was a very good and enjoyable weekend, especially If you went on the J & S ride out and bought chrome at half price.

We have a message below from the President of the Lions.

Dear Dave C…….

On behalf of Chester lions I am writing to thank you for your work and support in making it possible for Honda GoldWings and Chester Lions together being able to stage last Saturday’s GoldWings Day and Light Parade. We add to that extra thanks to those who were able to turn out for the various photo-shoots.

This event has been a good fund raiser and excellent lions publicity.  Will you please convey our thanks to all your members.

I have heard from Chester Lord Mayor Eleanor that she and consort/husband Derek Johnson thoroughly enjoyed the Light Parade and that they consider it a ‘highlight’ of their year.

Thanks from Lions and all the charities we support, particularly Save The Family

With kind regards

Derek

President

THANKS to YOU ALL for participating

Dave C

He purchased it on a whim thinking he would use it a lot.  In fact,  he has only used it for 4 nights so it is as new condition.

The trailer tent comes with the following specification:-

Luggage frame on top,

Full trailer cover,

Front storage box,

Mains hookup lead

Spare wheel and documents.

The whole outfit cost him in excess of £4,600.

For further details go to Camperlands website.

£3650.00 ono

Contact Jim on. 07866392830 / 0161 449 9296

or email:  james©nightingale001•fsnet•co•uk

A shining example of a F6C

We decided last year that we would attend this parade, as it kick-starts our triking season with gusto!

Being the opposite side of the country to where we live, and pre-booking accommodation well ahead of the event, we are more likely to set off regardless of the weather. We also have family ties in the area, so look forward to holiday breaks in Norfolk.

We set off just after 9am on Friday the 23^rd March, on the Trike, with Kidogo in his trailer. The weather could not have been better, especially for this time of the year.

We stopped 3 times for short breaks and to let Kidogo do his thing.

Static display area

We encountered very little traffic on the route, despite using the M54, M6 and A14; that was until we were close to Wisbeck, when the single roads came to a crawl.

We pulled in to a MacDonalds for a 4^th short stop to allow the traffic to ease up, but were told by the staff that Friday afternoons were usually very busy.

Once we passed Kings Lynn the road opened up again and we arrived at Manor Park Holiday Village just after 5pm, having completed just over 233 miles.

We were delighted to have been given a 2 bedroomed Chalet that had just been totally redecorated, new carpets, fittings, paintwork, and radiators in all rooms.

The display area again

It was a lovely way to spend the long weekend, very comfortable, and all for £72 after collecting tokens through the Sun newspaper.

The other Goldwings generally were housed in Searles Holiday Park this year (where a special rate had been negotiated), but there were quite a few Goldwings staying in our Holiday Village.

The weather remained kind throughout the weekend; in fact it was hot enough for me to get a little burned, there was no cold wind, not even in the evenings.

The Static display was their best yet with just over 90 bikes/trikes registered, and at least 5 other Wings parked very close by with other bikes. The display area is a large lawned area between the beach and the shops and surrounded by footpaths, and attracts just about every visitor to Hunstanton.

The Emergency Blood Bike was in attendance

There was a large contingent from Scotland and Kent that arrived. The crowds were thick and we spent most of the day talking, either with other friendly bikers and ex-bikers, or numerous people asking how easy the trike was to ride.

One pair were absolutely struck with the idea of a trike and asked where we had purchased ours, so were amazed when we mentioned Appleyards, in Keighley, as that was where they live and the wife of one had purchased a Suzuki car from Appleyards, but neither had ever visited the Bike/Trike section. They said that they would certainly be doing so in future.

A good turnout for the display

The Light parade in the evening went off very well, completely controlled, and quite a reasonable amount of spectators (far more than 2 years ago), so the event is becoming more well known.

We remember the first where we rode around the town twice and had to wave at people in restaurants to try to get their interest! Not so now, although a little disappointed that we only rode around once.

The route had been extended, but about half of it was residential and we hardly saw a sole watching, so perhaps not so well publicised as it might have been.

A different use for a trailer

We did not attend the Lit Bike competition so cannot comment on to its success, but looking at the lights on the bikes and trikes on the Parade, feel sure it must have been spectacular.

We did not join the ride out on the Sunday either, as we had another long journey home on the Monday, but judging by the number of names that went onto a list at registration there must have been a good 30+.

They rode up to Wells-next-to-the-Sea where they spent a couple of hours to themselves, then rode onto Burnham Market for a short stop and finally back to Hunstanton.

Kidogo - Star attraction material

We spent our Sunday strolling around Hunstanton, firstly around Manor Park Holiday Village, which was one of the nicest Caravan Parks we had visited. From there, we strolled along the Prom in both directions, and had lunch on the enclosed verandah overlooking the sea at the Waterside Bar, which permitted pets throughout. There must have been at least 12 dogs in the restaurant and verandah area.

On Monday we left just after 9am, and after 3 stops on the return got home just after 4pm without any hold ups anywhere on the route, in fact everywhere was very quiet, and the weather remained beautiful throughout, so a good weekend which we all enjoyed.

Needless to say Kidogo was photographed by numerous people in passing cars and vans, en-route in both directions, and was a real star during the Static Display, helping to bring in the visitors.

We look forward to attending next year’s event, assuming we still have the trike.

John, Marilyn and Kidogo.

Lining the Wings up

In preparation for the Chester Lions Light Parade to be held on 21st April 2012 a photo shoot was arranged to take place at Smiths Honda new dealership at Christleton, Chester on Friday 23rd March. This is one of several photo shoots in the lead-up to the Goldwing Light Parade event arranged by the Chester Lions and which is being sponsored by Smiths Honda.

It was also an opportunity for the Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Eleanor Johnson, and Chester the Cat from Dee Radio 106.3 to see the Goldwing trikes close up as they would be riding on the back of a couple of trikes in the light parade on 21st April 2012. (Hopefully if we can find enough trike riders who are not carrying passengers.).

Taunting Molly the cat with food

Unfortunately, Dave L must have mis-heard the briefing I gave on the event and in particular, who was attending, as he turned up with his own cat, Molly, in a cat box to the photo shoot.

I’ve seen dogs being carried before but this is the first time I have seen a cat being carried around on a Wing, even if it is a drafty cat box!

Surprisingly, the cat appeared to enjoy the ride. (Dave L said afterwards that Molly wasn’t sick like she usually is when travelling in the car, and appeared completely at ease when they arrived home.)

Fortunately, The real Chester the Cat was not feeling upstaged and carried on with the photo shoot.

Chester the Cat from Dee 106.3 trying all the trikes out to find a comfy one

It was also a good time to meet Karen Smith as well as Mark Smith – two directors of Smiths Honda, and Colin Towell, the lead salesman for the arrangements for the CLLP. They were very keen to foster a good relationship with the GoldWing owners of the area and they have some very interesting ideas that they wish to develop for the showroom and riders of the area over the next few months. It was also pleasing to see that they wanted to listen to the riders to see if they could provide a better service.

On arrival of the first newspaper photographer all the Wings were strategically placed and lined up across the front of the showroom so that the publicity shots could be taken with the Lord Mayor, Chester the Cat and Chester Lions representatives. All of the cameras were busy over the next ten minutes with lots of adjustments.

VIP photos being taken

Just as the first newspaper photographer was about finished, the second photographer arrived and had to take some more hasty shots before we were able to relax and chat comfortably.

Smiths Honda new showroom is a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon with plenty of Honda motorcycles, new and used, to look at, and staff who will chat freely if they have time. For those who fancy a drink or some food there is a catering van on the car-park to provide for those who have turned up to socialise with other riders. This may be one of the Smiths’ plans for the future in the fine summer evenings, to have some form of a ‘Bike-Night’ with the catering van being open late and staff covering the showroom.

Carl is unhappy - Trike is at home

It was close to 3.30pm before Jan and I left Smiths Honda as one of the last couples to leave, and made our way home.

In total eleven Goldwings turned up to make a successful photo shoot, with a rider coming from Manchester, a couple from Abergele and a couple from Southport, so I must say thanks to those who were able to make it to support the photo shoot.

As usual, photos taken by our members are available to view here

Dave T

LATYMER HOTEL 82 Hough Green, Chester, CH4 8JW

£50.00 per room Bed and Continental Breakfast ( Full English Available  so please enquire).

12 rooms available . Safe parking off road  and within easy walking distance of Chester City Centre.

Phone Paul or Louise on 01244 675074  – The best time to ring is around 8.00pm but you can try at anytime.

Please quote Goldwing Weekend

To see the Hotel go to -   www.latymerhotel.com

21st Feb – Beaufort Park Hotel have worked hard and have managed to obtain a further 10 rooms for the same rate as before – If you are interested then contact them straight away. They will be booked up quickly.

Update 27th February 2012

Latest from the Beaufort Park Hotel is that there are only a couple of rooms left there – Don’t forget the deal finishes on 29th February and you will have to take pot luck after that., though we know that rooms are available at the Latymer Hotel on the outskirts of Chester for their deal as above.

Further update 22nd March 2012 From Dave C

Anyone wishing to book camping etc. For the Chester Lions Goldwing Light Parade, should book by this weekend, otherwise take pot luck, as due to pressure from the general public all pitches will go on general release.

I have also been informed by Chester Southerly Caravan Park that, ALL pitches must be vacated by the alloted time on Sunday 22nd unless you have paid for an additional night.

Dave C………..

MEN! read the fitting guide

So, after that was fitted, I saved the rest for the winter strip down. Anybody who knows me will testify that as soon as I can I have things in bits – just to make sure they’re all safe and happy.

I am one of those people who needs to know how things work, what fits onto what, were does that wire lead to….. and I am always looking for where the Giggle pin fits (by the Foo Foo valve). It was a bit of a challenge this winter, as I had a left  knee operation in November due to Dave Turvey dropping his wallet on it so had trouble bending.

The only other problem with a Winter project is that it is COLD! Try getting double sided tape to stick onto cold plastic – I had to go and steal Q’s heat gun from her craft room.

Rocker cover lights

One of the things I wanted to do was try and come up with some ideas of where to put lights that I had not seen anybody else do, and I came up with this idea using a piece of plastic edging which I riveted to the false rocker cover. I then used silicone sealant to bond it in place.

If you have never used silicone sealant before, it is brilliant stuff – it’s the same stuff that bonds fish tanks together so is really strong. I use the large tubes that go in a caulking gun from any DIY store. Don’t buy the little tubes, as it works out expensive.

I drilled a small hole in the cover so that, when you look under to see the light, you don’t see any wires – I went to a lot of trouble so none are on show.

Now lighting your GoldWing is purely down to personal taste – some of you may like to actually see the light strip itself when the light is not on, but I wanted to try and hide every light strip so you only see a glow from it.

Frame covers

These covers are the extra chrome ones that cover the frame near to the side panels, so I removed them because I could see a small gap behind them. I made the lip on the edge of them smaller with a cordless drill and a stone so more of the light would shine through, and then siliconed them into place.

The pegs in the picture are available from any good GoldWing accessory shop, near to the washing powder and tea towels. I left the silicone to go off overnight and the following day after LED  illumination input from Mackintosh Consultants I added a further strip near to the dark strip on the covers. The effect was what I was after – a nice glow, but it was not obvious where it was coming from.

Nice mirror image

I had seen a set of mirrors on an 1800 at a light parade last year and they looked illuminated, and I wanted to try it myself but wondered how to go about it.

After several attempts of how to do it, I came up with this idea which gives a nice effect – the lights look like they are going away from you. It is just a castellated strip light cable-tied in and fits great.

I have tried it on the road and so far it is not distracting either – it is also quite visible from the back, so that is why I went for red.

If you could be bothered, you could even use Amber and make it flash with your indicators for a nice effect.

I was going for all red at the rear of the bike and wanted to get a good glow on the floor so again I did what a lot of GoldWingers have done and put the lights under the pannier rails…. but I also put this one on the towbar itself (it does not get in the way of wheel removal).

Towbar lighting

TOP TIP

Walk away! If you get stuck – not sure what goes where, what colour goes best, etc. – walk away and get the kettle on or sleep on it. I spent a lot of thinking time looking at colour clashes, reflective light bouncing off chrome and bending Nigel’s ear on how he has done his GoldWing…. even tripping over him while we had the lights off in his garage trying ideas out to light his back wheel…… stop laughing – I bet you have all tried it!

The colour of your bike makes a difference as well. Our bike is Illusion Red and when certain colours are shone onto it the bike looks Brown. I would imagine a white GoldWing will be the best to have for reflection of colours, etc.

Spend a bit of time designing your wiring loom as well – do not be tempted to rush it and think “that will do for now and i will sort it later” – as the time it won’t work will be the light parade you looked forward to. If you make a neat loom, it makes fault finding so much easier. When you work out how much you are going to spend on lights, double it….. and triple the amount of time you think it will take as well and you may be close to a correct answer…. and stay off eBay….Nigel and I have shares in a ship that delivers from Hong Kong now. Nigel has kindly taken pictures of my work and they are on this website. I am chuffed to bits with how it has turned out, but there is still space for more!

THE LAW AND LIGHTS

Section 195/85/77 paragraph 11 section B sub section 11 states, you can never have enough lights…

I might keep this bike a bit longer than most!

Ride into the Valley

To make it a full weekend of activity, for those wishing to do so, we have now organised a ride out for Sunday 22nd of April,

We will leave the camp site at 10am en route to the Beaufort Hotel where we will meet up with the rest of the wings.

At 10-45am we will ride out to the Ponderosa, arriving at about 11-30am for coffee and socialising.

Leaving the Ponderosa at 12-30pm en route to Betws-y-Coed for lunch.

We should arrive in Betws-y-Coed just before the arrival of the Nomads Scooter Ride, so parking will be OK.

Well restored Lambretta

For those interested there will be lots of very well restored 1960’s and older Scooters arriving after 1-45pm.

We will stay long enough for lunch and a look around or shop, then return at a time to be decided on the day, subject to weather etc.

Obviously people can join or leave the ride at any point to suit themselves.

Dave Crowley