Now that I’ve drained the Classic’s tank a few times on my early morning rides through town, I have a number for you — 32 kpl. That’s over four tankful-to-tankful runs, the lowest being 29 kpl in week that saw me simulating MotoGP races on the bike, hardly how it’s meant to be ridden. And I’m sure with a lighter right hand, it’ll easily go up to 35 kpl, too, but I don’t think I can manage that. Not when the Classic is proving to be a fun bomber of city streets.

I also have settled into a habit of getting restless and cleaning the Classic into a spotless shine every other day. It’s quite rewarding, too, even if I can see the accusatory glares of the other bikes in my garage in the Classic’s chrome. It continues to attract eyeballs wherever it goes, and I doubt that’s going to stop any time soon. I’m also considering getting a luggage rack made to sit on top of the rear mudguard, so that I can go for a long ride down the coast, but I’m yet to get around to it.

The chain’s been making some noise of late, and I suspect the washing centre’s extra-powerful nozzle may have blown the lube off it. I know chain lube’s supposed to be hydrophobic to an extent, but that jet of water could probably hone cylinder blocks, it’s that strong. Anyway, the RE service centre’s close by, so it should only take a short trip to restore the Classic to its pleasant everyday character.