tales of a strip, two fingers and lust

the ratchet top 4 speed for my next project in bits 

dust cap from Tom 

1954 pan 

would suit my birth date 

not my birthdate but cool 

a whole lot of knee soreness ahead

Sunday in Ride and Lunch with Andy, Spike, Steve, Stan, Bean, Dan, nick and lads

Meet at Krazyhorse

Steve 

Stan  

er.. Christine 

Von Bean 

Crazy Frank, er…Andy 

who's having the roast

we all are 

ready chaps

go Stan

once the rain had stopped on saturday, a trip to SoLow choppers

cute little hot rod yam with special crank built by fenland chops, here for some motor fettling

oh dear, Clives son Jay has had a few probs, they found a blown head gasket caused by damaged oil drain in the head

Clives new ride with ten overs 

super cafe ally 

as usual made welcome at the shop, the back roads were clear on the way back, no more god knows what over my face!

TripOut 4 and some of the coldest nights but spent with the warmest people

Stockers, featuring Leighton, Toddy & West 

My good Friend Stan 

kept us all amused and medicated 

Baz and Johno

The lovely Sue and Captain Spike 

Some of our happy campers 

Nick at work 

Toddy with his new customer build 

devil in the detail 

in situ 

Toddys new personal build 

has stocker detail 

hand lettered 

Baz's Knuckle 

Toddys Stocker paint Job 

Stockers

She ran strong and started on one kick after the show  

When something small can cause a bigger problem...

So after replacing the kicker gear I checked my timing and the light stayed on

These New 1000 mile Blue Streak Points 

have somehow detached there bottom contact so are open all the time 

and caused the advanced timing that caused the kickback that caused the kicker cog to break and crack the kicker cover.

Hope the Crank Pulley Holds as we are off to the TRIP OUT tomorrow

August Tale End Tales

 up on the lift again seems constant every week now

to find source of noise - refit a new kicker gear and find out why the timing is advanced and nearly had my leg off.

The crank seal leaks still its not from the little screws holding the regulator wires

I took it off put on a smaller o'ring 9 although its not leaking down the grooved teeth of the crank and this time pushed it on flush up to the bearing. Somehow I don't think that will work.

I found the pulley was loose causing the noise - but the nut wasn't!

 My fault. The washer I used previously which was thicker than the one originally supplied was not going over the shoulder on the crank. (the inner diameter is 7-10 thou smaller). Somehow I didn't notice and that little o'ring I put behind the crank seal was too big. and pushed everything forward. I was going to replace it but the spare replacement seal didn't arrive till Saturday and I had already got other problems to deal with!

So I now have to get a new pulley - £100 - OUCH

And finally - 

 I fitted a a new IRIS Xring chain two weeks ago - the previous one lasted 13000 miles! I should have taken it off at earlier at 10000 (heh heh) as thats when it started to need adjusting after every outing although not loose on sprocket. 

I could not end the month without another shitty tale...

Monday. This oil leak has plagued me since I started and had another go - this time making sure the little screws I had put in with blue loctite previously, removed and cut the ends off them (and put the plastic grip the correct way round!) installed with loctite instant gasket sealant. plus another crank seal along with a rubber o'ring installed behind it flush against the bearing and sits in the groove on the crank.

 

And discovered the bearing was shot on the clutch hub. My circlip pullers were not big enough so Mark at the local garage got them off for me. Stuck it in the oven and still could not separate it. back to mark who had a 10 ton press and he ordered and fitted the new bearing. 

Friday afternoon go to test ride. I had just started our little cold start routine, when my neighbours pulled up with granny so I held off blasting them. Forgot if I had pumped the the throttle and gave a couple more. Didn't fire on two kicks - too much fuel I guess. Third Kick - and Kapow - she kicked back at top of stroke.

Cracked the gearbox kicker cover and discovered a fucked starter cog too

Saturday morning. Hmmm - remembered I had a spare box for the next project

that had been plundered by someone but found a cog which I cut and ground off the damaged bits

and fitted my shaft into the cover

She tried to have my leg again starting her, so redid the timing, I had been running slightly advanced but without this problem.

Next mistake. 

Ride to Krazyhorse 50 miles to pick up a starter crank without test ride first!

Put in some fuel out of can in garage.

Clutch squealed a bit. Bike ran bad hoped it was fuel. We didn't stop for fuel.

Would not start there. Usually one kick and the primary is making a noise. Eventually George Kicked as my Knee playing up. Then went To Clive at SoLow Choppers thats behind a Gas Station and fill up.

Won't start again, tried to have my leg, clive thought the timing advanced? and making a big noise when she does start.

Take off primary cover everything tight thank fuck but there is this noise.

Started to Rain! and I get her going leaving a nice puddle of oil from the breather.

The misfire cleared as the new fuel came through, a little damp but we got home safe. Phew.