What have you done with your bike/s today?

[BigJim]

The bug that never goes away!
Took theA10 out after a 6 week layoff. Peeped in the oil tank out of curiosity and it was well over half full so cab to drain the sump. Many many kicks later the beast fires up and off I sail if somewhat sweaty. Great ride as always but quite a few extra oily drips at the watering hole. Not to worry and keep the revs up I say and a most enjoyable ride followed. Upon my exultant return to base I come across a quite large puddle on the driveway. Gosh, the breather works then I mutter as I try to soak it up with rags.
Drawing a positive light I reckon the rings must be bedded in nicely as I saw no smoke on start up!
Happy days and must remember to keep the van parked over the evidence!
 

[limeyrob]

Replaced the new(ish) kill switch.  A month or so ago I fitted a toggle switch behind the tool box to act as a kill / security switch.  Ever since its been hard to start, today it wouldn't start. No spark, I'm about to start pulling bits of the mag when I remember the "what did you do last before the trouble started?" rule.  Sure enough, duff switch but i came very close to going down a very deep rabbit hole.

[CheeserBeezer]

Still working on the Road Rocket. Fitted the primary transmission - I've used the standard, post '59, 4-spring, whereas originally the RR would have had the rather grotty 6-spring. I've fitted the tool box, DVR2 and oil tank and oil lines. All the electrics are wired up and work statically. I've also just fitted the head steady. I'm in the process of sorting out a carburettor. I'll probably use a relatively new Burlen / Surrey Cycles Amal monobloc initially. I do have the original 10TT9 but I'm told they're a bit of a pig to set up so I'll see if I can get it going with a monobloc and maybe swap to the TT later. Whoever designed the oil tank fittings needs a slap! It's well known that this is a bit of a codge and every time I build a bike I think, "I'm going to design my own next time", but I don't, partly because I'm lazy and partly because I like to use original stuff if I can. My next project is a non-standard thing so I really will design my own next time! I'll dry-build before sending everything for painting.

[limeyrob]

I think the problem with the TT is not so much that they are hard to set up but that they are optimised for wide throttle with very little obstruction to the airflow.  The downside is less depression through the venturi and virtually no idle so they are hard work on the road.  I seem to recall there is no idle stop.  I've got a Concentric on my RR and agonized over the size as it came with a 26mm(!). I've put a 30mm on for now and smoothed the inlet to match, looking at the metal around the studs it looks like be 32mm is a sensible limit?

[berger]

hi rob my A7ss head on the berger growler build has been ported for a 32mm , just for now i have my old cafe racer mono 376 on it.

[Black Sheep]

"Whoever designed the oil tank fittings needs a slap!" HE probably went on the design the Norton featherbed oil tank fitting. Carefully designed to break the top mounting off.
Got a 1 1/8" monobloc on our alloy head A10. Works a treat. 300 main jet.

[CheeserBeezer]

"Whoever designed the oil tank fittings needs a slap!" HE probably went on the design the Norton featherbed oil tank fitting. Carefully designed to break the top mounting off.
Got a 1 1/8" monobloc on our alloy head A10. Works a treat. 300 main jet.

I'm using a 1 5/32 just because I've got one and it seems to match the inlet tract. I'm jetting it quite rich to start with. That should help me get the bike going initially and I'll fine tune it from there. I understand best practice is to start rich then fine tune. If you start too weak you'll get overheating problems, blueing the exhaust etc.

[Black Sheep]

I started on a 400 many years ago and got sooty black plugs. As you say, start rich and gradually go weaker - the story of my life (except the starting rich bit).
The 300 was decided on after full throttle testing on a long motorway hill. Should we still be doing this to these old bikes?

[Raymman]

After a long time hibernating (20+ years), cleaned the commutator, points, carbon brushes and carb, RR started 2nd kick. Think carb is past its best so ordered a 28mm Concentric.
Now to attack the registration paperwork.
More to come.

[berger]

tried out my new balaclava and gloves once i had got urma the yonda to start , the balaclava does keep my ears and head nice and toastie but at 120mph er i mean 50mph it was far too cold for my bones, the gloves i had on had been resting in the bedroom drawer for years , my old gloves are dropping to pieces but are ok for summer use and the new ones are much more padded and will take a bit of getting used to,  i did about 10 miles and returned home drained the carbs and now i think that is the last run out on urma yonda unless we get a warmer few days.  urma is a nutter bike once wound up to 5000rpm she hits 9000 rpm in milliseconds , good fun on a clear road but once i had my fun i was tootling down a road on the over run at no more than 20mph and of course a pillock pulled out from behind a parked car across the road in front of me saying sorry just as urma pulled up to an abrupt halt, betsy in this same position would have to have been thrown over to the left to avoid said pillock!!!  .  the berger build has now got the leak mended and a bit of touch up paint put on , luckily i got the remnants of paint from when my mate sprayed it. i am now on the balack&tans ,    it would be rude not to. thankyou for listening have a nice day. o and spurs won for once

[Worty]

Hmm, never drained the Kwaka's carbs over winter, with no problems (not sure how to do it but there must be a drain plug somewhere).  Usually run the GF out to clear the carb, I'm guessing that'd be ok.  I know about varnish deposits, but I've never drained a CV carb before??

Funnily enough, my 10 year old gloves have just developed a hole.  Got a nice pair on Fleabay for a good price - full leather short gloves with a bit of fleece inside.  Don't like the big gauntlet type - maybe I'd wear them if I'd got a lance in my hand??

Well done for getting out Bergs - I usually get to January before I get the itch to get on the road again.

[Worty]

..........not a Chesterfield fan then Bergs

[berger]

worty tarn and tott me,  i drained the carbs because IF they did varnish over winter sorting 4 carbs out is a big and painful job, i might even drop some paraffin or some diesel petrol mix in them [ my mate gave me the mix after he filled his bmw with diesel , haha i did that with betsy a few years ago ] i've had the carbs off twice and it's a pita. i'm still thinking of selling urma next year she is big and i am small , plus the fact three bikes to keep sorted is one to many, i always think those who have many bikes in our climate must have a job on keeping the bikes and battery's in good order .

[CheeserBeezer]

Continuing with the Road Rocket project. Fitted the carburettor, twistgrip and choke controls. Put some oil in the bores, fitted the kickstart, kicked it over and squirted oil over the garage including the ceiling. Maybe put a bit too much oil in the bores and should have screwed the plugs in! Cable tied the cables and wiring loom to the frame. Did a 'first-fit' with the petrol tank. It sits a bit low at the front so I'll have to put some extra rubber under it, otherwise OK. Fitted the rocker oil pipes. Tomorrow, footrests and rear brake, if I have a good day.

[CheeserBeezer]

.........o and spurs won for once

Twice this week actually!