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Old 24-03-19, 01:19 PM   #1
Craig380
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Default Today at the Ponderosa

Gave my new (to me) AL7 its first proper spin out to the Ponderosa this morning, it was bright but surprisingly cold in that strong wind.

While up there I noticed an older gent wheeling a very tasty-looking Kawa A1-based race bike out of a van. I got chatting to him, and what a fascinating story he told.

His name is Dave Thomas, and the bike was originally a 250 A1R (as rare as hen's dentists) on which he secured Kawasaki's first-ever race win in the UK, at Cadwell in 1967 against the Yamahas, Bultacos and Aermacchis of the day.

However, he found the 250 Yamahas to be tough competition, so he and his dad decided to convert the bike to a 350. They made their own crank, cast their own cylinders etc. Absolutely amazing ingentuity. As a 350, he set the fastest lap at the Manx GP in 1968 at over 92mph before retiring.

Here's Dave talking about the bike and lighting it up at a 2018 event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtC4e1NQfZM
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Old 24-03-19, 01:30 PM   #2
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Default Re: Today at the Ponderosa

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Originally Posted by Craig380 View Post
Gave my new (to me) AL7 its first proper spin out to the Ponderosa this morning, it was bright but surprisingly cold in that strong wind.

While up there I noticed an older gent wheeling a very tasty-looking Kawa A1-based race bike out of a van. I got chatting to him, and what a fascinating story he told.

His name is Dave Thomas, and the bike was originally a 250 A1R (as rare as hen's dentists) on which he secured Kawasaki's first-ever race win in the UK, at Cadwell in 1967 against the Yamahas, Bultacos and Aermacchis of the day.

However, he found the 250 Yamahas to be tough competition, so he and his dad decided to convert the bike to a 350. They made their own crank, cast their own cylinders etc. Absolutely amazing ingentuity. As a 350, he set the fastest lap at the Manx GP in 1968 at over 92mph before retiring.

Here's Dave talking about the bike and lighting it up at a 2018 event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtC4e1NQfZM
Fab. You do meet some interesting people at the ponda.

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Old 24-03-19, 07:46 PM   #3
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Default Re: Today at the Ponderosa

I rarely go to the Ponderosa as it's generally too full of motorcyclists Perhaps I should get over my prejudice and go up there sometime.
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Old 24-03-19, 07:47 PM   #4
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Default Re: Today at the Ponderosa

The outrage! Bikers at a biker hangout
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Old 24-03-19, 09:19 PM   #5
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The outrage! Bikers at a biker hangout
I know, terrible! How the hell am I going to cope with all you bikers at Barmouth in June?
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Old 25-03-19, 11:48 AM   #6
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I know, terrible! How the hell am I going to cope with all you bikers at Barmouth in June?
Alcohol is a great leveller, if we don't level each other
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Old 25-03-19, 02:52 PM   #7
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Default Re: Today at the Ponderosa

One pint is enough to level me I'm afraid!
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Old 25-03-19, 05:20 PM   #8
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One pint is enough to level me I'm afraid!
Be a cheap night
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Old 25-03-19, 07:32 PM   #9
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Default Re: Today at the Ponderosa

Ha ha! Always is for me. No tolerance, or indeed any particular personal liking for alcohol. It just makes me feel ill.
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Old 25-03-19, 08:46 PM   #10
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Default Re: Today at the Ponderosa

I know what you mean there, I can't drink beers/ciders etc but after 10 or so years of no drink I discovered whiskey, usually give up long before a state of drunk though
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