Hi gang, I had to post something as I am officially chuffed to bits being back on the road after some months burning the midnight oils, waiting on parts, finding more issues and waiting again so as you can imagine, most probably have experienced for yourselves, I was very excited and somewhat daunted by the prospect of an unaided and unsupported sojourn into the Adelaide Hills for a 50 mile round trip. As it happens I need not have worried, the old girl didn't miss a beat and we both enjoyed the ride immensely.
How satisfying is it to find you have successfully tracked down and resolved problems and can actually feel and hear the improvement. Much props and kudos to all of you guys on here who have assisted me along the way, sometimes by answering direct questions but mostly unwittingly as I have learned so much vicariously soaking up knowledge previously shared on these pages during my many searches around all the queries that arose.
So here she is, basking in the afterglow quietly ticking and cooling and amazingly with a full compliment of fluids not dropping any as yet. (20 minutes since we returned) A stark contrast with our initial run out which resulted in epic oil loss of Exon Valdez like proportions. An update on this after an overnight in the shed parked over a sheet of clean paper - 2 drops! Does this even constitute leakage? or am I now in the exalted gentle perspiration zone "ee she diven sweat much fer a fat lass!" Sorry I'm going on a bit but I'm actually totally amazed, I never dream't I'd see such an improvement... Although of course I may live to eat my words later but for now I'm going to enjoy a celebratory cold one and give her a wipe down with a clean rag.
List of work done to date:
Clutch/primary/ realignment/rebuild new sprockets and chain, clutch basket and machined adapter for correct alignment/ new bearings and clutch hub, old friction plates/springs reused at this stage. All set up with dial gauge. Can now find neutral easily and engage first without a crunch yay! Cush drive, NOS bearing, spring modified for additional clearance, new retaining nut (modified). Gearbox mainshaft oil seal, final drive sprocket, final drive chain, new SRM nut with built in seal,(seems to be working) new mainshaft outer bearing to cure end float (gearbox noticeably quieter) , new kickstart ratchet gear to match old quadrant, new home made kickstart stop and repair to housing, new gaskets as required.
