Riding test of the A1SS Samurai.

Another brilliant Sunday…  Third in a row!
What a difference between this one and the 67 A1 ! I just had to adjust the controls a bit and away we went to the picturesque city of Gruyères, of the cheese fame. The SS performed faultlessly, front forks, brakes and rear suspension were dated but very bearable. Since Gruyères is at an altitude of ~800 meters above sea, had to sail through some fog… interesting in summer. Rest of the day was absolutely sunny.
The A1SS will do 120 kmh in 4th gear, which tells me it’s in good shape. Not sure I’ll see 160 in 5th, but nowadays it really doesn’t matter.

Here it is on the steep slopes of Lavaux, Switzerland, on the return leg of the trip.

Needs to be done:
Apart from a sticky RH throttle slide, nothing much.

Carbs: repair/replace RH throttle slide stop… obviously still not quite straight enough. You only feel it at WOT.
Petcock: really needs a new set of joints, specially the tank/cock gaskets. It weeps a bit.
Exhaust: need to find a way of keeping my baffles inside securely.
Seat: needs a new cover when cash is at hand.
Stickers: A1SS needed, Again when cash is in surplus. André Okazaki at reproduction decals is the man, do not hesitate to contact him.
Tires: could do with a new pair of BT45s to enhance the ride.
I’m also playing with the idea of fitting signals and a scrambler bar, I have one at hand, more enduro like (lower than the original), but why disturb something that works well?