Good morning t20racerman, Green with envy,I've enjoyed reading this post ,brings back so many memories! The guy who verbally kicked you up the a*** ,was He by any chance called Bruce ? I had exactly the same scenario , bike stolen when returned (after 4 mths ) stripped it down ,then had the frame nicked and moved the rest into shed. Left it there from from'78 til 2001 (hang head in shame ) we had just returned from a holiday and in the post was an advertisement for a '59A10 frame forks and goldie 8" brake for £250 with a note from Bruce who's a biker buddie since 1965 , saying buy this or I don't ever want to hear "I'll get it back on the road next soon" He also promised to insert certain parts into me which would have made sitting down pretty difficult as well so what can a guy do. Soon the bits were bought and the shed became the centre of my world for 18 mthsframe chrome guards rebuilt wheels etc ,engine done by SRM crank balanced cleaned out ground and the end feed converted ,the head worked on RGS valves and gas flowed and spitfire cam and followers rebored and pistons ,they did the engineering I put all back together ,boy I really enjoyed it . had the wheels rebuilt ,the front and back tyres still had air in them from the last time I rode it, Anyway after the fiasco of relicencing her she fired up after I 'd kicked her over with plugs out for 1/2 an hour to get the oil back and then she started what a beauiful noise , the neighbours loved it to !! Well at least one of them still talks to the wife .that was 2003 .The first ride after MOT was simply great ,same grin you had I bet and bonus followed the very same route I took back in 1965 when I did the same thing with my very first bike ,pure indulgence. Only prob I had was sticking valve which kissed a piston which once replaced has behaved without a hitch. Anyway I've had to sorn her this month due to house move and family prob's and probably next year too so I'll do my best to keep sane by reading what you guys get up to and polishing the bike.....so keep the posts coming, hope you get as much enjoyment out of yours as I do mine best wishes Bob H