Twenty two hours in the garage

[Yorick]

If you'd worked harder at school you'd have been able to afford new ones

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I don't bother counting how many hours I spend fiddling with bikes now, it's weirdly enjoyable doing something completely different to my day job, I can't believe how much pleasure I got from rebuilding my YPVS engine, I rewired a mates race bike a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed doing it.

[Asian Boss]

I'll give you a ha'peth of gruel for the TDR.

[DefTrap]

I like fettling too.
But not just bikes.
It's guitars ..
And cars ...
And furniture ...
And bloody everything really ...

Work really gets in the way of fun FFS.

[weeksy]

needs more pics

but please keep going... it's great stuff.

[Rockburner]

I like fettling too.
But not just bikes.
It's guitars ..
And cars ...
And furniture ...
And bloody everything really ...

Work really gets in the way of fun FFS.

It's satisfying in a way that paid work often isn't.

[Skub]

I like fettling too.
But not just bikes.
It's guitars ..
And cars ...
And furniture ...
And bloody everything really ...

Work really gets in the way of fun FFS.

It's satisfying in a way that paid work often isn't.

That's another aspect. When a hobby or interest becomes a way to earn a living,it changes everything.

I too used to love a good tinker,but a few years of paid spannering killed that. Only now,years later have I rediscovered some of the pleasure.

[Yorick]

I like fettling too.
But not just bikes.
It's guitars ..
And cars ...
And furniture ...
And bloody everything really ...

Work really gets in the way of fun FFS.

It's satisfying in a way that paid work often isn't.

That's another aspect. When a hobby or interest becomes a way to earn a living,it changes everything.

I too used to love a good tinker,but a few years of paid spannering killed that. Only now,years later have I rediscovered some of the pleasure.

The only job I would consider now is a trackday instructor.
Well paid hobby.

[weeksy]

If my motorbike was in that many pieces I'd cry. Well, engine anyway. Bolt on bits I can manage. Engines though!

[KungFooBob]

Nice mix of metric and imperial!

[David]

Scuse me being thick, but what is the lever on the cam for?

[Count Steer]

Scuse me being thick, but what is the lever on the cam for?

Cam follower? In a Rudge Whitworth book it looks like some models also had this linked to an external lifter to lower the compression but I've never taken one apart so....

[DefTrap]

Surely some old giffers have YouTubed an easy how-to?

[Count Steer]

Scuse me being thick, but what is the lever on the cam for?

Assuming we're looking at the same thing https://www.classic-tech.at/shop/rudge has new CNC'd cam followers with rollers for Rudge 500s ('31-'37) for a mere 468 euros. They are 'Many times proofen!' The image makes it a bit clearer.

[David]

All is clear! Thank you.

[Count Steer]

How is that gear fitted on the cam? Is it just an interference fit? Getting it off could be fun.

[Count Steer]

Fingers crossed eh? Nice work.
Don't forget the oil.
(It's been done )

[Noggin]

And here is the old girl back together again, very dirty but I'll sort that once it's running ok.

Screenshot 2021-08-21 at 22.27.40.jpg

I bloody love this bike!! Have seen very few really old bikes out here but the other weekend there were a handful at a vintage rally up here - flipping awesome

[Count Steer]

There is a bit in it, but most had drained into the sump, so I cleaned all that out and I'll put fresh castor oil and petrol in tomorrow morning for the big test.

It's got some serious compression now, getting it over TDC without a decompressor is a hell of a job and I'm used to kicking big singles over.
I've already set it on full ignition retard just in case I forget in the morning and try to kick it on full advance and snap my leg.

*waits with bated breath*
I thought you'd got a decompressor on it? You mentioned the cable earlier.
Cracking thread though and it's got my dormant spannering gland going. It has been browsing the Verrall's* stock list and wondering where all my old a/f spanners are.

* Or Verra££'s as it should be known.

[Count Steer]

*applause*

I don't suppose, as long as you keep the original bits, anyone apart from the manic purists will bat an eyelid at changes that make it more useable.
It is what it is, a lumpy old single, but it would probably get more attention at Box Hill, Devil's Bridge than yet another modern bike with bits of bolt-on bling. High days and holidays (dry ones) ride but you'll need a Corker helmet, tweed jacket and canvas gaiters too.

'I love the smell of Castrol R in the morning, it reminds me of....'