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| This 1911 Royal Enfield Model 160 twin got along with only a small tool kit. |
(In actual fact I find it more convenient to carry the rain gear in a back pack, where it can be stuffed wet and without careful repacking when the sun peeks out again.)
But there is no arguing that the tidy leather tool kits attached to the sides of really old Royal Enfields are attractive. Three Royal Enfields up for auction June 7, 2014 at the Historics at Brooklands event captured my eye.
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| The Royal Enfield gun embellishes the tool box of this 1911 Model 160. |
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| The 1927 Model K has much the same kit, but one on each side. |
(Now there's a thought!)
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| The 1932 Model K still offers two leather kit bags. |
Lovely as these tool boxes are, the streamlined, all-metal toolboxes on the post-war Bullet must have seemed thrillingly modern and convenient when they came along.
The old style leather toolboxes are far superior to the cheap and nasty tin boxes found on later machines - quite so .
ReplyDeleteYou see old chap , they are long and rectangular and therefore admirably dimensioned for the containment of spanners , screwdrivers and the like . Treated with a beeswax concoction they would be waterproof and made of leather would not rattle or rust - 'deed not . They seem to have lasted more than 80 years in some case , so there can't be much wrong with 'em .
Bad form to wear a "backpack" , haaaarumph , apart from looking like a ghastly teenager or a nancy boy , one is badly equipped for a trip of any distance - don't yer know . Far better to have waterproofs in a purpose made bag that can be strapped to the bike semi permanent fashion , mmn yes , I think so . One is also less likely to forget the ruddy thing .
As for meself , I adjourn to the nearest hostelry and wait out the storm .Rain can be a blessing at times . Or if needs must ,I'll put up the rain cover on the sidecar and make Ballsack drive the outfit home - eh what - haaar haaaaaar haaaaaaaaaaaaaar!
Your servant ,
Maj Bunty Golightly MBH , Defender of the Kickstart , Companion of the Royal Floatchamber .
Put firmly in my place, as usual!
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