What have you tinkered with today?

[Craig380]

Looking good!

[Craig380]

Couple of days ago I removed the dB killer tube insert from my Yoshi TRS can, but left the billet Yoshi retaining collar in the pipe outlet (this reduces the actual outlet diameter by about 15mm, so it still cuts noise level).

The bike has definitely gained a nice bit of part-throttle pickup and go from 3,000 to 5,000rpm (i.e. just where it's useful on the roads). While it's definitely a little louder / growlier than with the dB killer insert, it isn't causing dogs on the pavement to go mental and little kids aren't covering their ears as I ride by. Early impressions are that I like it!

[garynortheast]

Pulled all my Oxford soft luggage out of the box I keep it in to check it over.

Made a couple of material and black Gorilla tape repairs to the bottoms of the 60l panniers and then had a proper look at putting them on the bike so that they don't squash the rear indicators. With the very nice looking rack I bought from Mav on the bike, I can lift them high and forward enough to do the job.

Then I turned my attention to the small Oxford Sports panniers I got from Bibio. No repairs needed, but once again with the rack on the bike I can position them high enough to clear the indicators.

Then I went through the various rain covers and found the right ones to go with the small panniers along with the correct shoulder straps. Did the same with the bigger panniers but only have one rain cover for them. I shall have to talk to Oxford about finding another one that fits, as the panniers are probably 15 or 20 years old.

Lastly, I pulled all the assorted bungee straps and cargo nets out of them so that they are empty and ready for use.

A job I've been putting off for ....err....several years!

[garynortheast]

Gave the bike a check over this afternoon, tyre pressures, chain adjustment, refilled the Scottoiler, checked engine oil level.

That done, I pumped some of the fuel rescued from my error with the car, into the tank on the bike. There was about a quarter of a tank of petrol in the bike already so I topped it up to about half full, then rode down the the garage and brimmed the tank with E5 petrol. It ran fine with the half tank of fuel and perfectly well after I'd filled the tank right up. I can't smell diesel in the containers of rescued fuel, so I might try putting in a higher ratio of it to fresh fuel next time.

Of course I needed to have a quick 40 mile evening blat around the block just to check it was all ok!

[garynortheast]

Tinkering with - well, servicing more old Singer handcranks. I've just finished a service on a 1902 27K for someone, and today I collected an 1897 28K for a service.

The 27K normally lives in a treadle base but has the crank on it still, which is what it's owner uses as she's never learned to use the treadle. I'm just waiting for a new tyre for the bobbin winder and some new felt discs for the spool pins and it's ready to go back to the owner.

The 28K has been stood for a while so needed cleaning and re-oiling/greasing, and it now turns over very smoothly. I am going to have to drill out and replace the needle plate retaining screw though as it's seized and too chewed up to undo. **Edit** I've just manage to free it off with some releasing oil and careful use of a stout screwdriver and a small hammer**
The wooden base needs a little bit doing to it. I've just re-glued one side which had come away as the old glue had dried out and I need to get new feet and the little grub screws which hold the hinge pins into the machine bed.

Both machines are in beautiful condition. Astonishing that two machines of over 120 years old are in such lovely condition. Built to last.

I'll post a couple of pictures later.

[Craig380]

I think it's lovely that they're still in use, and being maintained by you!

[garynortheast]

It gives me a huge amount of joy to keep these lovely old machines fettled and in use Craig. I've just finished servicing the 28K, and done a line of stitch with it. It sews absolutely faultlessly. I'm going to put it back in it's base and then order new rubber feet for the base, grub screws for the hinge pins, and a new needle plate screw. I bet there are not many 128 year old machines you can still buy new parts for!

[SV650rules]

Originally Posted by garynortheast

That done, I pumped some of the fuel rescued from my error with the car, into the tank on the bike. There was about a quarter of a tank of petrol in the bike already so I topped it up to about half full, then rode down the the garage and brimmed the tank with E5 petrol.

Saw a test on Tesco Momentum 99 the other day - they found no ethanol in the fuel....



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdHZsgiuXVQ

[R1ffR4ff]

I've had a busy year servicing my Gen1 99 which I had planned for as she hit 40,000. None of it was actually required but I figured that as I had the time and whilst still able I'd do it.

New HyperPro Front fork springs ( new fork seals last year).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143266005422

and fresh 15w Fork oil ( Smith and Allen). Brilliant ride and handling.

https://www.smithandallan.com/produc...k-oil-15w-4114

New Front tyre Bridgestone Battlax S21. It's OK but not any better than previous Maxxis which I think I liked better. I put an Angel ST on the rear late last year and that's fine

New front wheel bearings.
New Front Wavy Discs
New Front Pads ( EBC) ( Fresh Brake fluid every year ).
New rear wavy disc ( Comet).
New rear EBC pads.

Swapped working cheap R/R ( Less than a tenner and 6 years on the bike) for identical one to test the spare one I bought. Working fine.

I think she looks fine for her age



3,000 mile oil change soon again thanks to poster who put me onto Smith and Allen,

https://www.smithandallan.com/produc...cycle-oil-4117

Little bit of MsO2 in the oil before the oil change and here's how she sounds @ 41,000 miles but sounds a bit different and quieter now as I've just put a longer stainless steel link pipe on as I hated the original cheap mild steel one I used years ago,

https://app.box.com/s/c3mwt6nxohe1t41tdsubrwik1inalygh

When I did the front tyre I put the other 90 Deg Valve on as I did on the rear. Total game changer for putting air in,

[Geodude]

Nice