In 1966 I found myself
on an RAF Bristol Brittannia, ( whispering? Giant ), heading out on a
24 hour flight to a new posting to RAF Tengah in Singapore where I
was to help run a microwave relay station, ( all very hush hush in
those days ). The system was capable of carrying 1750 channels of
military and diplomatic sensitive information which would be subject
to easy sabotage if sent down landlines, anyway I digress so on with
my story.
After a few days to get
my feet under the table as it were, I headed to the local bike
showroom ( hut ) to purchase a second hand machine. I naturally asked
to see what Triumphs they had but was informed that British bikes
were few and far between but they would put my name on a list should
one turn up, meanwhile the owner felt sure I could find something in
his stock to suit. A quick glance along the bikes stood up on the
earth 'forecourt' revealed a mostly sorry state of motorcycle
machinery, in fact there were only a few that I felt would suit. Of
these, a Honda 175cc twin of 1963/4 era with pressed steel frame
seemed most likely so I took it down the road for a trial and was
pleasantly surprised, such that I returned and took the bike on.
Clearly a 175cc Honda was not going to burn up a motorway but since
Singapore boasted no more than I bit of dual carriageway I felt it
would do me well.
The Honda did indeed do
me well, I used it to travel all over Singapore island it being my
only means of transport. I visited Singapore city a number of times,
the Kranji war cemetery, they had English grass, Tiger balm gardens
and a host of other places to many to mention.
I should have stuck
with the Honda, but a year later I chopped it in for a Suzuki T10
which I thought would be faster and slicker on the uptake, it
certainly looked more sporty and had such advanced features such as a
hydraulic rear brake, but it seized a number of times when pushed, I
would sit on the roadside for 20 mins or so then restart and set off
again. I used the Suzuki to venture across the causeway into Malaya
and journey through the rubber plantations and Kampongs to empty
beaches for a swim and sunbathe. I travelled to the Cameron
highlands and beyond, all very idyllic.
I became aware that my
bike was 'rattling' or 'knocking' in the engine department, there
being no facilities in my billet for engine stripping, I went to the
bike shop to ask what they thought, I was pulled in for a cuppa and
the malayan technicians set to work, in no time at all. The engine
was out and stripped and I was shown a bent conrod!, I asked when
they could get a spare but they just laughed and told me to go look
around the shops for an hour or two. When I returned the bike was out
for a test ride which after another cuppa was returned with a smile
and a small bill, apparently much heating and hammering fixed the
conrod!.
Since those days I have
steered clear of 2 strokes and when offered one a few years ago I did
not hesitate...no thank you.
I wonder if I'm still
on the waiting list for a Triumph?.
