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Jobs for the day

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 18, 2025, 7:27 am

Hoping to get the top end back on the Morini today - bit difficult with no piston ring compressors, as the cylinders have very little lead in on them.

Just have to go very careful and use my fingers, while the tool I made up keeps the pistons from moving, and keeps em square to the cylinders.

Much easier on the KH as the cylinders have a nice lead in.

Sometimes think I am getting too old for all this stuff, but then again been doing it most of my life.

Hopefully a nice leisurley ride out on the Him this aft and explore that bit of extra oomph it now has, weather permitting of course.

Just to be on the safe side I have to re check the valve clearances before I go out on it. TEC recommend check them after the 300 mile "running in" period - better to be safe than risk burning out a valve.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 18, 2025, 10:02 am, in reply to "Jobs for the day"

A lot of my old bike fun is in the repairing of them. Like you, i have always repaired my own bikes and cars from the start as i had no money at age 16.
Its getting harder to do now at 72 and being a bit slower but been working on the bike over 3 days last week for a few hours.
Today is flu jab, tomorrow its Formula 1, Monday is speed awareness course for being naughty in a 40mph zone. Wednesday is local museum coming to digitise some of my 15,000 photos of Exmouth and area. They also want pictures of Exmouth scouts history following the fire at their building which destroyed all of their records.
The photo collection may be taken over by the museum so its in permanent good hands.

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by Lannis <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Lannis' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 18, 2025, 1:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

I don't really enjoy working on my bikes so much, but I've been doing it all my life so I just carry on. Just can't seem to unbelt $100/hr shop rate to pay someone else to to it.

No flu jabs for me. Had one in 2002 and 2 weeks later got the ONLY case of flu I've ever had in my life, absolutely miserable. Never again.

Four bikes running and four on the work stands. It's like playing whack-a-mole ....

Lannis

Do you remember, before the Internet, when people thought the cause of stupidity was lack of access to information?

Yeah, it wasn't that.

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 18, 2025, 1:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

No way would I pay to have anything done on my bikes bar tyre fitting and anything needing the services of a machine shop.

Morini nearly back together, just exhaust / carbs / tappets to set.

Just finished checking the Himalayan valve clearances, and they have not moved since installing the TEC cam.

Time for a cup of tea before going out on the Him.

Bit grey and gloomy but not too cold.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Jobs for the day

We're off in a few minutes for a 100 mile drive to see my grandson's soccer match.

Lovely day, and we were going to take the bike, but then we realized that we have to take chairs to sit on, and I only have one that you can fold up and put on the bike.

So the MGC gets the nod today. We're still the cool grandparents, though, showing up at games and matches on a bike or a cool roadster!

Lannis

Do you remember, before the Internet, when people thought the cause of stupidity was lack of access to information?

Yeah, it wasn't that.

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by Al Urquhar <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Al+Urquhar' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 18, 2025, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Jobs for the day"

'...bit difficult with no piston ring compressors...'

A nice big, wide cable tie does it for me...

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 18, 2025, 4:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

Was thinking the same, also recall using cut up cans & jubilee clips.

Re: Jobs for the day

As it happens the cylinders went on with no dramas, just finger pressure and a bit of prodding with a hard piece of plastic.

As long as you dont try and force things you dont usually break a ring, having said that I did manage it on the KH last time round

all my own fault.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by DBDBrian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=DBDBrian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 19, 2025, 8:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

Regarding working on our motorcycles, I find general maintenance is something that has to be done. But a complete rebuild bringing something back to life, which may require modifications where parts are unobtainable, or to improve things mechanically gives me pleasure and satisfaction. I am fortunate in having a reasonably well equipped workshop, but do not have cylinder boring or shaft grinding facilities. I have recently made a new cylinder sleeve for my 175 Mondial rebuild, but had to farm out the boring. The big end also required attention, the crank pin was worn, but the rod eye was ok. It initially had 3 mm needle rollers, after some calculations, I sourced some 1/8" rollers, and had the crank pin ground to suit, it all worked out well.
There is still lots more to do, but things are on hold at the moment, as SWMBO has me on decorating duties," deep joy."

Brian
Made In England

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 19, 2025, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

Nice work Brian.

I have a small lathe which comes in handy - so I can make small bits and bobs, or refurbish them.

Always fancied a mill but never really had the space for one.

I always try and do what I can, but I know my limits. I have done quite a few rebuilds / rstorations over the years.

With retirement heading down the line towards me, I hope that I may be able to spend a bit more time messing around with old bikes - who knows, there might be one more restoration in me !!

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by 6TDen <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=6TDen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 20, 2025, 9:22 am, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

“I hope that I may be able to spend a bit more time messing around with old bikes”

Careful what you wish for Andy, especially if your wife is still working. Hmmm messing around with old bikes, funny you should say that ———-
Den

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 19, 2025, 10:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

Respect Brian wish I had your skills.

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: Jobs for the day

Posted by Lannis <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Lannis' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 19, 2025, 10:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Jobs for the day"

I don't have them either.

I used the skills that I have to make money so I could pay people that DO have the skills to make parts for me!

Do you remember, before the Internet, when people thought the cause of stupidity was lack of access to information?

Yeah, it wasn't that.

Re: Jobs for the day

I make a few parts but usually just steel parts to weld up. No machines in the garage but also, never needed anything machined yet.

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