MORE “TT MEMORIES”
OR
A PAN EUROPEAN MAY HELP
OR
OR PIN YOU TO THE GARAGE WALL

The operation took place on the 25th of Feb in 2002 and after 10 days without sleep I was threatening to drag all the tubes and bottles which were attached to me—down to the bus stop!!!

“I want to go home mommy—now”

After two good nights sleep-----the boys (average age early 50”s) arrived with bike mags and heavy sarcasm
”Well Trotter they have finally shut that big gob (that’s Yorkshire for mouth) of yours” Reaching for my magic board and magic pencil I wrote a suitable reply!!!!! But its not for publication in the mov magazine—but you can no doubt work that one out.
Since the diagnosis of cancer—the surgeon—Mr Ong had taken out most of my tongue (don’t laugh you lot) also some of the throat and right shoulder area.
So I’d finally been shut up—but everything else was still working o.k. and thoughts were turning to -- 700lbs of Honda st 1100 Pan European parked in the garage-- it had been bought from a friend about 5 months previous in 2001 and I loved it!

There were 3 important things to consider

1/ how long before I can get out on the Honda and the road again?

2 /what about the Isle of Man “TT” in june!!
And

3/ my mate Dave Clark was entered for the IOM Manx grand prix in August and Ian Bottomley and I had promised to work the pits for him

Two weeks later
“I’m ok Jean you get off to work—the boys (average age early 60”s) will be round soon with bike mags and sarcasm—“to keep me company”
By placing one hand over the tracheotomy in my throat (where else would it be) I was beginning to make myself understood without using the magic board etc. so off to work went--” the worker”--a great wife –so she keeps telling me!!

Two cups of tea and several spoons of suger and I was ready to face “the Pan Euro” Because of the difficult situation of my garage I’ve had to install a 16 inch turntable to spin the bike on—but first I have to roll the bike out backwards and then onto the turntable!
The first thing I noticed was how much weight the Honda had put on since I had left it all alone in the dark for 5/6 weeks!!!! But really the problem was me—when I parked the bike I was about 192lbs—now I was a very slim 150lbs!! if only I could have all my hair back I would look just like I did 40yrs ago—oh yes I would—like hell said the boys (average age 65 fat and balding) oh yes and someone at the hospital had stolen my muscles!!
Should have kept my mind on the job in hand—bang 700lbs of Japan’s finest had me pinned to the garage wall---where were the boys when I needed them most—out on their bikes I suppose—well it was a nice day and who wants to visit someone who talks like Donald duck –when you can be out hitting the rev limiter!!!!*!”*”!**!”*!*”!* I would’nt visit me on a day like this
Strange but while my bike was trying to push me through the side of the house I thought--- at least till someone comes along it’s a great view looking up the valley where I live!!
Its not too remote where Jean and I live-- but hell pull yourself together Trotter it could be 2/3hrs before John Wayne and the cavalry arrive or the boys (average age !!!!!!!!)
With one superhuman effort (well it was for a 150 lb weakling who talks like Donald duck )up came the Honda and down went the sidestand (kickstand)
No damage to the bike only my pride—but even my pride was ok - because no one would ever know about my brush with serious expensive body repairs—not until now that is!! Time for another hot very sweet—for the shock—cup of tea
“That’s enough biking for today” I said to myself as I shakily poured the tea.
Anyway it all went well the following day and a trip to Lincoln 200miles went off without any problems .On the way back as I eased the “Pan” up to 100mph in the sunshine I thought there are a few pluses with the dreaded cancer—

if I had’nt had it I would have been at work today
.
No1/ important problem dealt with—YES

No 2 important problem how to deal with the up and coming ”2002 tt races”

This yea’rs races would land right in the middle of my treatment-- a four week –everyday-- radiotherapy course. ”Doctor I want to go to the isle of Man for the races in June what do you think?
Fortunately the lady doc came from Ireland and knew all about the races— Ireland has more pure road race circuits than anywhere else in the world! “Well Jim you will be feeling very ill after 2 weeks of that machine(THE ZAPPER)”.
So I said “Look doc I will feel ill at home in front of the telly I may as well feel ill in the IoM and explained how important the races were to me after almost 40yrs without missing a year since the first visit in 1967. The good old doc agreed to fix me up with plenty of pain killers and morphine(yummy-yummy)
Ok so I can go but it looks like “the pan”is staying in the garage.
Around this time both daughters had learned to drive and we had a fleet (three and a half) of ”Fiat Panda”s—small---very very small Italian saloon cars we ran one each! Plus a donor vehicle.
So Jean and I had a long weekend in April in the IoM in my Fiat Panda blue body with red doors from donor vehicle, it looked a bit iffy but it was very reliable. We left it at a friend’s ready for my arrival in June.

No 2 important problem solved “YES”

No 3 important problem
Dave Clark’s race week in August and our promise to work in his pit at the grandstand.

No 3 problem could be solved by leaving the “Fiat Panda” on the island after “TT” race week for my transport—I would be feeling very weak after the radiotherapy so no “pan euro” said the doc in a very loud voice-it was time to listen to the doctor
Ok doc and thanks for the morphine!!it’s yummie and beats beef and Yorkshire pudding any day!!!

Problems 1 2 3 solved! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.



Visit to support Dave Clark riding 125 and 400 Honda's in newcomers races. 18th Aug. practice week.
Rang Dave in IOM weather very bad Sat practice cut short.

19 Aug Monday.
Bad news Dave off at Waterworks at least he is a mile further round the course than last time-- about 1 mile nearer the finish line than when he fell off at MayHill in 1998. He had a ride in the air ambulance that year—but didn’t know it till he came round in Noble’s hospital. At this rate he should complete a lap in about 12yrs. Still the main thing is he is ok apart from bruised knee etc. 125 Honda buggered so will have to use 400cc road bike. Honda 400RR

21`st Aug Wed.
Up at 06:30 and off to Liverpool with our race mechanic-- Ian Bottomley to catch Sea Cat (the Steam Packet has finally bought some modern tackle) in bright sunshine which would follow us for 10 days. As we were very early called at the Liverbuilding for breakfast. This was my first look inside even though I had spent some miserable hours waiting for Steam Packet (racket) ferries over the last 36yrs. Recommended.
As mentioned earlier I had travelled over with Jean in April and left an old Fiat Panda for myself and friends to use during TT and again Manx Grand Prix week, as I realized I wouldn't be fit to use the bike this year after radiotherapy.
Christine who had collected us took us back to the house for the car and after tea and biscuits it was time to see our RACE ACE. Well even though the Panda hadn't been used for seven weeks it fired like a good un! But the gear linkage had seized-- so I drove while Ian changed gear with two hands for about three days. By then we had beaten the car into submission. So off to Peel for an ice cream and as Ian had never been to the island before I took him around the St. John’s Course, the original one used for the first TT races in 1907. Then it was on to Ballaugh Bridge ( a famous landmark on the TT course) where our Race Ace was staying with one of his sponsors, a splendid house owned by a retired chemist with the following in the garage - a Senna Motoguzzi 1000, Ducati 748, Bimota, World superbike Sp Kawasaki, St4 Ducati. He had sold his chemist’s shops on the main land and moved to the Isle of Man with all his money. Then it was off into Douglas for some food and beer and as I'd only just started eating again (11 stone now from 13 and half) the meat and potato pie went down a treat. Off to Castletown where we were staying with John Hopwood an ex copper from Halifax. He moved to the island in 1988 and bought an old chapel and Sunday school. Great spot on a clear day you can see all the way across to Wales and England.

22nd Aug Thursday
Up for 9 am, cup of tea at John's and then onto Tesco supermarket for breakfast with about 30 other bikers. – eggs, bacon, beans sausage, chips, tea, bread and butter - £2.25.or $1.75 As I said before it was Ian's first visit so I took him around the Clypse course which was used until 1959 for the smaller bikes. Then up to the Grandstand to watch Dave complete two laps and qualify for the races, the only problem the radiator was leaking now so we will fix that tomorrow. After having more meat and potato pie and Guinness with our star rider we gave him a lift back to Ballaugh and then Ian and I carried on to Ramsey to show him where things take place at TT time. Back to Hoppy's for 9.30 pm, a couple more drinks and off to bed.

23rd Aug Friday:
Up at 9am cup of tea and then off to show Ian the south of the island, Port St Mary and then on to the Calf of Man where a new visitor's centre has been built with a wonderful panoramic window overlooking the bay. Onto the pits to pull Dave's bike apart and fit some Rad-weld (crossed fingers). Time to visit the bank for the sponsor’s money my brother Andrew and I had promised Dave, then back up to the Grandstand to watch Dave practice. He left at 18.13pm but was reported stopped at Laurel Bank (nine miles out) - no it wasn't the radiator,no revs, no power, and as it's impossible to get to rescue him until practice is over -- we did the sensible thing and retired ourselves to the beer tent for Guinness lots of Guinness glorious Guinness!! Sorry Dave it’s a hard life being pit crew.

24 August, Saturday:
I know it's boring but it's cheap and we like it - back to Tesco's supermarket for some breakfast. Time to pull the bike apart again. While this was going on I told Dave about an old TT proverb 'if you have a bad practice week - you will have a good race week'. As it turned out I was proved right but more of that later. Bike was compression tested and showed all four cylinders were 30psi down, at least they were all the same, head off valves checked, ok, oil and filter change-- as it turned out the problem was HT leads and plug caps, so we were already for Monday race day. While this was going on Dave's fourth sponsor Steve turned up on his new VFR with GOLD WHEELS - must have the Pan wheels done this winter I thought. Steve also said Murray Walker(famous f1 Grand Prix commentator) had just moved in at his hotel. Dave fitted his road bike registration plate, taped up the race numbers and took bike out for a run and said it seemed much better, also the water leak was still OK.
19.30pm - off to the chemist's house for a barbecue and as I haven't had any alcohol for months and the Guinness is free flowing I'm starting to fly as they say. An accountant and his wife have arrived and start to tell the tale of how she backed over his new bike on the drive.
Trotter- 'What sort of a bike was that John?'
John: 'That doesn't matter it was brand new'
Trotter: ‘Come on John what bike?'
John: 'I really like it, I've had it repaired'.
Trotter: 'Come on John, what bike?'
John: 'I use it for track days and the road. It's a Suzuki 650cc SV'.
Trotter: 'Oh yes they're a nice bike John, all the girls in Yorkshire ride those.'
Lots of laughter but he took it well-- but I'm afraid it followed him all week long. I think it got worse. Time for bed too much Guinness.

25 August Sunday:
Yes that right Tesco supermarket cafe again. When you haven't eaten properly for about six months a good fry up is only beaten by two things - and the other one is a ride on my perfect Honda Pan European!!!!! Back to the pits to check bike before race day, spent a very enjoyable hour and a half in the sun with Steve Sinnott who has raced for 30 years at the TT and short circuits. He seemed very pleased that I remembered him very well along with Chris Vincent and other sidecar men from the 60s and 70s. Couple of pints of Guinness at the Viking Castletown and then to Hoppy's and so to bed.

26 August, Monday Race Day:
Met Dave at pits and his pit crew Ian - Tommy and Trotter pulled on our matching orange overalls and marched smartly to the pit lane-- well as smartly as we could. I'm sure I heard the crowd cheer, or was it jeer,
Dave was flagged off at the start by Murray Walker at 10.17am leaving his pit crew chewing their nails and sweating - I'm sure it's easier for the rider!! Anyway Dave arrived on time after two laps and his slick pit crew swung into action - Ian - re-fuelled tank
Tommy - check bike
Trotter - re-fuelled rider, clean helmet, pass him damp cloth to clean his face. I will always remember the look of shock on his face when he came in after two racing laps “He needs a pint of Guinness” I said but only joking-- the TT course is dangerous enough . Anyway after about 18,000 revs and two attempts to put it into gear-- away went our hero and completed the race to receive a finisher's medal - thanks to his slick pit crew. Incidentally the radiator was still holding water – so it looked good for Friday's race.

27 August, Tuesday:
No races today so we were going to show Ian some more island sights. Called at the Steam Packet to see how much they wanted to take the Panda on a one way trip home - £130 $231- yes that's right 130 bloody pounds - I politely refused (I will drive it in the dock first). So we were on the look out for a lucky Panda owner to give our Paddock Panda to. So as we rolled into Port Erin for our first cup of tea --there gleaming in the sun was a Fiat Panda, auto-- in green. Could this be the lucky person to inherit our blue Panda with red doors, 92,000 miles, leaky roof and windscreen but oh so reliable. We left full details of this free of charge vehicle but heard nothing - they may have seen us drive away. Next onto Niarble Bay where you can see across to Ireland - part of the film Waking Ned was filmed in Niarble bay. Time to drive round the course to Sulby and up the Sulby Glen to the bungalow and spent two hours at Murray's motorcycle museum.then back to Castletown for a kip before taking the Hopwoods out for tea at the Viking for even more pie and Guinness. I'm trying hard to put weight on but nothing seems to work, not even Guinness—time for bed. Its very tiring having a good time and we ALWAYS have a good time in the Isle of Man!!!!!!!!!

28 August Wednesday Race Day:
As we are not required for pit crew duty today we will spectate at Barregarrow crossroads. Great race, only spoiled when I reversed into a nice little MV twin, mirror broken but as the lad said he had only fitted a mirror of a MZ for the TT and as he had left his crash helmet on the handle bar end the only real damage was the rear lamp plastic. So I game him my address for the bill - he lives near Lincoln so I may take the money down one Sunday on the bike as I have a friend who is a biker in Lincoln. On the way back to John's house I saw in the rear view mirror a white Fiat Panda, could this be our lucky man? After pulling over to let him pass we re-joined the main road about 4 cars behind Panda man. Anyway a high speed pursuit took place (high speed for Pandas) well we lost him in traffic when we got stuck behind a tractor, back to John's and onto the Viking for yes you've guessed it more pie and Guinness - I must be getting fat by now. On returning to the house for sweet course - more Guinness - we were sat in the lounge when I saw through the window white Panda man reading the sign in our Panda window. He then started to drive off I was out of the chair at great speed and waving at the disappearing Panda which then did a handbreak turn and came back at great speed. This guy travels everywhere full bore and admitted he'd been reported twice for traveling over the mountain when the roads were closed due to snow--- but like he said he just had to prove that the 4 x 4 Panda was better than all these fancy four wheel drive BMWs and Mercs etc. He had a collection of three Pandas (which I had until recently) and his kids loved to drive them in the fields near their house. Anyway he was happy to accept ours and would collect it after we returned home. Time to attend the prize giving at Summerland to see our hero receive his finisher's medal. Murray Walker was interviewed and he spoke of his father Graham Walker who was a TT winner when Murray was a boy and also about his personal TT hero's. Guinness - bed.

29 August, Thursday:
Down to sea terminal to alter tickets from 22.00 Saturday 31 to 04.00 Saturday 31. Bloody Hell don't they know Ian and I are poorly men - we've both had surgery. Breakfast at Tesco then onto Jurby airfield (ex ROYAL AIR FORCE) to meet Dave and test the bike before Friday's race. As we arrived the bike was out of the van waiting for the pit crew to thrash it up and down the airstrip-- so we did thrash it--So of course the radiator let go again. Still better now than in the race on Friday! Out with the faithful Paddock Panda and off to Ramsey for more Rad-weld, another £3.50, does Dave think I'm made of money?
While Dave and Ian were pulling the bike apart I wandered over to watch two bikers who were getting ready to go out on a track day round the airfield being led by Ray Knight (TT winner in the 60s and bike journalist) £45 each for two 20 minute blasts, as one lad (60 at least) was on a Pan European I said I hoped he was taking the panniers off before he went out. As I said to Ian and Dave later there could be some cheap panniers in a while - many a true word etc etc. So off our track day men went, being led by Ray Knight, all was going well, in fact the Pan man was very good for a while - even passing Ray a couple of times on the corners so I wandered back to see how the race bike was coming along, where I found Dave being interviewed by a film crew for Channel 5 'Men and Motors' programme so keep your eyes open.
About this time I noticed a red flag being waved and the ambulance going out –oh dear poor Pan man had lobbed it and was off to Ramsey hospital. Shoulder and foot injuries. Five minutes later his mate arrived on the Pan, mirrors, screen, engine bar protectors missing, top half off side fairing smashed. As he pulled up the bike cut out and refused to fire again. Pit crew to the rescue - one fuse plus cable tie to put cut off switch in upright position and away it went sounding sweet but looking pretty second hand. The next problem being 3 guys had turned up for the track day and now there were only two riders and three bikes to get back to Port St Mary - about 25 miles away. So as I hadn't had a ride all week and had carried my helmet in the Paddock Panda a very enjoyable ride was had over the mountain road back to Frank Maddrell's house (Pan man). But this wasn't a house, it was a very impressive large villa with lift from lounge to garage where bikes are kept. He had a V Max, 996 Ducati, Varaderoo, half a blackbird (another get off that Frank had.) We left his bike and rushed to the pub for more Guinness. Before we left the pub I asked Frank's mates to impress on him should the Pan be a write off I would be willing to go as high as £30-- $16 for his £300-- $530 Corbin seat which was undamaged. I did’nt expect a reply! Time for bed.

30th August, Friday last day:
At last true race week weather - wet, windy and misty. Still we have had ten days of sunshine.Today was spent shopping etc as the race was postponed to Saturday so Dave would need a fresh pit crew as we would be on the high seas heading for Liverpool. Time for our last visit to Tesco cafe. While stood in the queue I noticed an elderly man stood close to me with two walking sticks I said 'Hello' and asked if he was a Manx man. ‘Yes, I'm William Henry Victor Skinner and I've lived here since I was born in 1916. Please call me Victor.’ Time for an in depth interview, I thought.’ Victor, have you been involved with the TT or Manx Grand Prix “?- “Well just a small way I worked in the official time keeper's box from 1948 to 1997.” You can imagine my excitement at meeting this nice old man who was a part of the TT history. I took his arm and marched him to the breakfast queue and spent a very enjoyable hour listening to him reminisce and finished it all off with a photograph. After saying goodbye to Victor and promising to visit him next TT we walked back to the Panda when Ian started to laugh rather loudly, and I said 'What's wrong with you?'. Ian said “Victor had only come in for his shopping and you made him have a full breakfast”. Well he seemed to enjoy our company and he cleared his plate like a good 'un.

31 August,Saturday:
Up at 02.15 and good old Hoppy ran us down to the ferry for 0.300 to catch the 0.400 boat. Bad news our boat was delayed and we didn't sail until 07.45, getting into Liverpool for about 10.30am. Just 10 hours, I believe you can travel to the east coast of America in that time. I spent most of the weekend in bed because I was completely worn out on my return. The 10 days in hospital were the worst 10 days of my life but this last 10 days in the Isle of Man were wonderful but I must realise that at the moment I can't do things like I used to since the operation for cancer.
A great time was once again had in the Isle of Man—but I’m very much aware that without the help and love of my family- Jean, Rachel and Sally, it would have been bloody awful over those early months of the cancer and treatment! I’m sure its much harder for the family than the patient at times like this—I’m fortunate I never believed I would do anything but survive—you can’t worry much when you are simple like me!
Ps. I think the bike helped a lot too—oh yes and the boys (average age going on about 17yrs) with the mags and sarcasm! I love them all—but perhaps the Honda just a little bit more than the boy’s (average age---- oh don’t start that again Trotter)

After all that Guiness and food I found I had lost another 2lb. should I have have had more Guinness

Pps if the cancer visits you fight like hell—and buy a Honda st1100 Pan European!!!!!!!!!!