Pop pop pop BANG!!!!

And boy, did Cubbie go bang!!! It was such a lovely day in the north east of Scotland, that after the animals were fed, I decided to open up the shed and have a Christmas word with Cubbie.  I wished the little bike a merry (late) Chrimbo, but the poor neglected Tiger Cub just looked at me, all dejected.  So I stuck the battery on charge and went to find the key.  An hour later (no, that wasn't how long it took to find the key, honest) I wheeled Cubbie out through the knee deep mud and onto the drive.  Battery back on, fuel on, ignition on, big tickle, big kick; nothing.  Ah, ok, better clean the old fuel out of the carby and try again.  Wasted time looking for the screw driver I thought I needed and then cursed several times as I dropped screwdriver bits and messed about with pliers (I know, I know, not good to undo screws with pliers).  Ended up taking the whole carb off rather than just the float bowl but that was only after covering myself in petrol.  Good job I don't smoke.  So with the carb back on and the plug cleaned up and a spark checked for, it was take two.  A couple of kicks later the ear splitting crackle of an neglected and sulking Cub shattered the December silence.  Mrs BC came round the corner with a wheel barrow full of muck, which had Cubbie not fired up.....

It ran for a few minutes then conked out.  Then wouldn't start.  Plug out.  Soaking.  New plug.  Fired up again.  Ran better.  Into gear with an almighty clunk, up the drive.  Attempt to open gate one handed whilst keeping Cubbie blipping.........B A N G ! ! ! !

Oh.

Oh well.  At least I clocked up a few yards on two wheels before 2012 comes to an end (good job it wasn't last Friday).  Maybe I'll charge the battery again and go for a New Years Day ride.