22-07-2019, 11:25 AM
Out in the Ruby yesterday, rumbling up the M50 toward Prescott reading just above 80 degrees. On the Cotswold Rally going up to about 86 going up steep hills in second, quickly dropping down to 65 going down the other side. Only two of the four bonnet side louvres open. This is a newish engine and recored radiator, and so confirms what has been mentioned on the forum, when the machine is in good condition temperatures might stay a bit low. After recent mpg discussion, I reckon that 45mph cruising, with no vigorous wind, gives about 40 mpg and slowly going up and down Gloucestershire hills is no worse. Deciding to come home gently is a lot more economical, still air and cruising at 40 mpg gave closer to the magic 45 mpg. These are estimates on observations rather than scrupulous scientific measurements, but they confirm that such a small engine is very sensitive to changes, three up into a vigorous Westerly uses much more than a single crew member coming home gently on a still summer's evening.