I've been to see Darth Ian this morning, he was his usual cheerful self and fed me good coffee and
Danish Pastries, as well as letting me play with his Optima Baron (warning: your marriage and/or
bank balance may be at risk if you test ride this bike).
Ian called the Optima factory and found that lead time on a non-stock coloured frame was 8
weeks, but they could ship an entire frame and rear forks in a stock colour next week, at no
charge, so that's what we'll be doing. Blue is the colour: now I'll need a new name for the
erstwhile Flying Banana.
The main tube has been modified, as has the Baron following a similar incident suffered by a Baron
owner last year I believe, and there is now a reinforcing fillet welded into the curved section
where the headset fits. A slot is machined in the tube, the plate inserted, and welded top and
bottom. We will have to see whether this is sufficient to cure the problem. Ian took some pictures
which he's threatened to email me, so hopefully I can show you all the damage at some point.
I'll have to ride the mountain bike on Monday and leave work early enough to get to the bike shop
for a new BB unit for the tourer. Oh, and Mum's Yaris Verso got 45mph from St Albans to Forest Row
and back, which I thought quite impressive. Winker of the day: everybody on the M25 between the A3
and the M40, self included.
Guy