I thought it would be simple, but it’s not. It’s not that dealers haven’t been helpful and it’s not that there’s a lack of information out there – they have and there’s plenty.

The problem is that it’s all qualitative and I want it to be quantitative. I want to know what I’ll be paying for. One exception is Thames Valley HD. I’m very impressed with them although they are talking about a 96 and not my 88. They have a quantifiable product that I can get my head around – check out their web site.

So, what have I found out? Well, for those on a smaller budget, stick a flatslide carb on, with a high flow filter, ignition module, slip-on exhausts, SE-203 cams and adjustable pushrods for around £1,500. On paper, probably the best bang-for-buck option.

I thought going from 1450 to 1550 – without doing much else - would increase torque. Well it doesn’t much, because it’s still a short-stroke motor. This pushes you towards focussing on power improvements, so add some rather exciting SE heads and hot cams and you’ll get a lot more power for about £2,500 all in. Spend 50% more and increase the stroke by going to 1690cc and you suddenly get a lot more torque as well.

Do I want power (big bore, heads and cams) or do I want torque (stoker) – or both (all the above)? I dunno, I just want to have a bigger grin when I’m riding what is now an 8-year old bike.

And I think that my bike’s already torquey. What effect would a lot more have? Would it change my life? And is it worth paying about £4,000 for? Go for power then. So would 100bhp+ turn my bike into an animal – probably not. Bugger, I think I need everything from the SE catalogue and I can’t afford that.

I need to try some bikes…

Many thanks to: Karl, Ian & Paul, Elliott and Fraser