Hills and front cylinders

You'll love Porlock Hill, the South West Surfers as a group have braved it twice. Its a challenge, a little further west is Countisbury Hill, fantastic views but somewhat scary if you dont like heights.

[timwilky]

I used to take trucks over the test hills at Leyland and MIRA. Those could set off the oils pressure lights as the sump would be dry under the pump inlet due to the incline. Therefore I cannot see why it is not possible to also run into a problem (Never seen inside an SV crankcase) of oil starvation due very steep inclines on an SV.

Originally Posted by timwilky

I used to take trucks over the test hills at Leyland and MIRA. Those could set off the oils pressure lights as the sump would be dry under the pump inlet due to the incline. Therefore I cannot see why it is not possible to also run into a problem (Never seen inside an SV crankcase) of oil starvation due very steep inclines on an SV.

Interesting - what sort of gradients were those hills? I know MIRA has a 1:3 which is bloomin steep but "still" only 18 degrees. Also, erm, were the trucks any good? It's a little before my time but my only real recollection was that Leyland era british engineering's problems with oil were more down to it streaming out faster than the Exxon Valdez rather than running to the back and emptying the sump...

[Rich]

I've ridden up porlock hill loads of times down to lynton and lynmouth views are great but getting stuck behind coach loads of oaps is no fun though. Give it some beans when you get round the bend and scare the **** out of unsuspecting pensioners is great fun. Watch out for sheep though.

Anyone else find riding down steep hills vastly more unnerving than riding up them? I simply will not ride down Trinity St. in Barry (some of the SWS will know what I mean), but ride up it all the time.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah I find it really hard to ride quickly downhill, but going up the same hill I can really get the hammer down.

Secret going down hill is keeping off the front brakes going round corners, use rear & engine braking if needed. A quick trip to the alps and you'll soon be used to going down (oohh er misses) as wellas up.

[timwilky]

Don't have to go that far. A quick trip of Wrynose and Hardknott (supposidly 1:3) pass's is enough to educate one in the use of brakes/steering.