05 November 2019

Pete N has quite settled down in Fife and is probably lusting after something quite unsuitable for his image such as a Gold Wing. He hasn't been seen since I bumped into him in Perth with his face painted! Least said the better!

Unfortunately we have had to say goodbye to the Douglas EW350. Lou, being in ill health and immobile had decided to move it to a more appropriate custodian and transferred ownership to Doug Frost, an active member of the London Douglas MCC. It hasn't been out of the shed for a year or two and at 92 years old, it wasn't really fit for modern roads, so although we are sad to see it go, we haven't shown it or used it for that time. I exchanged emails with Doug and he is more or less keeping it in oily rag condition and will hopefully return the bike to its beginnings at the Kingswood Museum in Bristol where the bike was manufactured. 

I still haven't got a page for the Triumph 650, but I will get that done over the winter. 

 

9th May 2018

Another new project hits the shed! Pete N was kind enough to leave us the stuff he couldn't be bothered to load up and transport to Fife, so we have 2 Raleigh Choppers to assemble, or at least make one out of the two. It transpired that Mr N was a BMX exponent of some repute, being a champion at that game! 

But that is not the latest project, which is featured in Rod's profile page, gracing this website for several years. It has been a bit of a long time wish more in hope than expectation that we could actually acquire this motorcycle, which we thought might be lingering unused in a shed quite nearby. It is a pre-unit 6T motor with a nine stud Bonneville top end with E3134 cams. It sits in a 1938 Speed Twin frame with a sprung hub and BSA M20 girder forks. 

Rod actually rebuilt this bike some decades ago for a good friend and knew how good this bike is. Light and powerful despite the relative age. OK it's not matching numbers and all that, but a serious motorcycle that will terrify the locals once we fix the magneto.......

 

10th April 2018

The Honda Melody is now complete! See the new page for the story. New tyres, tubes, piston rings, battery and paint was all that was necessary along with our labour. Just a few last minute jobs such as manufacturing an exhaust bracket and a new vacuum tube for the petrol tap should see this as the most reliable bike in the shed. Applecross via the Beallach Na Ba here we come.

We are sad to report the loss of a regular member who is moving to the Open Prison aka Fife. Pete Nicol is off to pastures new but threatens to return on the odd occasion. To mark this event this page is being renamed to "News and Gig Guide" where we will publicise Manny's Bass Player's future gigs when possible. 

Gigs

Tonight! Tuesday 10th April - Green Room, Perth

As well as his musical endeavours, he will be racing the Honda Melody in the Scottish Road Racing Series. Here he is trying it out for size.

3rd April 2018

A new project arrives with Allan's Honda Melody (cost £0.00). OK it is seized solid and there is some damage to the engine case and the plastic legshields but it's all original with all the factory stickers intact. Quite a neat little project all round and will enable Allan to run to the shops and back for more "supplies" such as lager, wine and gin.

The weather has been quite appalling in general which has stopped any road days for the bikes. With the new MOT rules coming in May, most of the assembled machinery will be road tax and MOT exempt, which means that they will see more daylight. Unfortunately the Cub and B40 are proving to be unreliable, probably down to fuel problems and using the pre-treated tank on the B40.

More news next week - because I know there is some!

20th January 2018

I know it's been a long time since the last news update and quite a lot has happened in the last year. The Suzuki 500 has been totally rebuilt, with the original engine restored to it's rightful place after a top end replacement for the seized cylinder. The oil feed banjo to one of the cylinders had failed leading to an oil shortage, but all is now well and should be on the road come the date when tax and MOT are no longer required.

The Starfire with the B40 engine is also ready for the road with an electronic PVL ignition system. A new carbureter and a replacement petrol tank for the original  "sculpted" item had a few ethanol problems where the fibreglass resin was being disolved and gumming up the carb. This has been rectified with a liner. 

All systems go with the Tiger Cub as well.

Our latest project is another zero cost item - a Honda Melody from 1980! It is seized and dirty, but totally original. The oil tank was full leading us to the conclusion that this was filled after the event. A bit of dismantling and we found that it was indeed a top end nip up. Big end and small ends both ok and it now turns over.  It needs a tyre and a battery before it's first shopping trip, but it should be up and running very soon!

11th January 2017

Krakatoa being rebuilt and Pete N's page updated. Also check out the early Youtube footage at 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZdQgf7enIA

January 2017

I hadn't realised that recent updates were few and far between and virtually nothing in 2016. I must try to keep the site ticking over!

We do have new bikes and updates on the others in the stable. I will update the individual records eventually but a quck rundown of what's been happening.

First of all - people!

We have a new member Pete N, who has returned to the area from the Orkneys and brings with him a wealth of knowledge on MZ's and runs about on a Harley Davidson. It's actually a fine bike - just as Harleys should be and hopefully we can get a few pics up and a bit of a story on it.

The Tiger Cub has had a big makeover with PVL ignition and a new carburettor before Rod loses his sanity and torches the thing in a blaze of ill-temper! It's looking really nice with an alloy tank, flanged alloy Borranis and it runs like it should. No MOT or road tax required - ideal for rasping about the town.

The T500 should be next on the bench. A tragic failure of the non-return valves on the oil feed to a cylinder meant a bit of a tightening up and destruction of a piston with damage to the barrel. We did have another engine but carburretion proved too difficult because of engine modifications. The original engine is ready to be rebuilt with new parts located and brand new non-return valves purchased. (Thanks to Mr Ebay!)

The Douglas is fine and the Nippy must be under a pile of junk somewhere! The lawnmower has been returned to the owner to create space for a bike given to us for repairing the Commando. A BSA Starfire with a B40 engine (250 - 350 cc). It has been modified from the dated fibreglass moulded tank and side panels and will eventually be much like the Cub - in trials / greenlaner trim. This will be featured and added to the list.

Please look in from time to time, leave us some comments and we are happy to assist with anything.

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