About stuff people couldn't care less about!
Well hello all.
The MV 350B is on the road and I need to get some km’s on it b4 it gets on the ship in a couple of weeks for Italy.
As its easter this weekend I took the oportunity to ride to Dunsborough in the south west of WA. 250km there then 250 km back.
Got to Dunsborough fine Friday morning. Leaving to go back to Perth tomorrow midday.
Went for a quick ride to the Cape Naturaliste light house this arvo, have pic to prove it.
I pulled out an old suitcase that I packed almost 10 years ago (before I went to live in the UK for 2 years). At the time I was living in my grandmothers old house (who had moved out) and we needed to pack up her old house when we left.
From a young age I recall a cuckoo clock she had on the wall and although it was there when I moved in I wasn’t sure if we had thrpown it out – funnily enough I actually thought about the clock a little while ago and concluded its was gone.
Guess what was in the long packed suitcase – the cuckoo clock.
Its awesome, still works and keeps time.
Its great when you find thing you thought had been lost for ever
I picked up the freshly painted tank on Saturday, its looks really really nice and promptly installed the fuel taps to then mount on the bike, fill with fuel and take for its maiden ride – it didn’t happen quite as expected.
Having fitted the fuel taps I thought it prudent to fill the tank a little with fuel, swish it about and then empty again to get rid of any bits and pieces that may have found there way into the tank, I was shocked to see flakes of grey paint flowing out when I tipped the tank up-side-down.
It would appear that the cleaver chap that chemically stripped the tank thought it a great idea to not only spray the outside of the tank but to also stick a bit of paint inside then role it around inside to ensure it doesn’t rust – he shouldn’t have gone to so much effort. Its obvious his thought process didn’t include “This is a fuel tank, I should not put paint that gets stripped with flurocarbons inside”. Dim wit.
What a complete mess, after trying with a chain to scrap it off and multiple petrol swill-outs its still in there and its going to be a job to get it all out.
We will have to resort to a tank sealer kit I think with the hope that it will form a seal over both the bare metal and the still painted portions of the inside of the tank – my only fear is that the sealer will strip the paint as well causing all sorts of fun. If this fails it may need to be stripped again and repainted – something I don’t want to dwell on too much at this stage.
Wish me luck during the week.
Well after many, many hours of putting it all back together, yesterday I ran the engine for the first time. Its would be very interesting to know how long it has been since this engine last ran, I dare say 20 years. It started in about 4 kicks and ran very well, idling fine and making no strange noises.
Just need to get the tank back from the painter now which should be next weekend then take it for a run – can’t wait!
Well things have moved along since last month.
Engine is all back in one large lump after replacing all bearings, oil seals and gaskets. We only have a parts manual to assist in the re-assembly but I’ve been there before.
Engine is now back in the bike and the majrity on bits now back where they should be.
the new exhausts look very nice but only the left side fits weel. The right side pipe appears to be missing and bend to get it hug the fram a bit which results in the exhaust sticking out at an odd angle.
Bought a battery for it today, will test for spark tomorrow night.
Tank at the painters getting white applied to knee cut outs along with decals and a clear top coat.
Hope to fire up this weekend assuming we sort out the exhaust.
Pic below from a week ago. Updates to come.
I haven’t been to Bali for about 12 years but its changed.
Its a bit like a low rent Singapore (at least the shopping centres are).
The traffic is mad as always.
There are no mingy dogs.
There are no sidewalk watch sellers following you up the road.
No one has asked me for jiggy jig or drugs.
Its hard work with kids.
Bali has grown up. Food is about the same price as Perth (at the nice restaurants).
A few late nights this past week….
Rebuilt the wheels after the rims and hubs were polished. New stainless spokes and nipples (ohh err).
Fitted the rear suspension swing arm.
Restored the front and rear brakes (lots of cleaning of aluminium).
More work tomorrow painting nuts and bolts and other stuff.
New pipe and exhausts on there way from Italy. Other parts I expect will be posted to us mid to late next week assuming the supplier provides us with his banking details.
Frame has been stripped and powder coated Red as have most of the bits that would have once been painted Red (expect for the tank which will be painted still).
This week will be placing an order with a spares supplier out of Italy for the bits and pieces needed to finish the project including engine gasket kit and new set of pipes and mufflers.
Engine has been stripped down and appears to have had little use. This I expect was a result of the broken kick start shaft which I have replaced. New Piston rings required due to a broken one but no major damage to the bores.
Engine rebuild to start before Christmas then its full speed ahead once parts arrive to finish, get registered and ride to iron out the bugs before shipping it to Italy.
If something happens and its unable to go to Italy in time I have a back up ride for the MI-TA, it will be a Lamberetta TV175 (S3) that my father has riden in the rally for the last 2 years.
I’ve been a bit busy lately with exams at uni over the last few weeks taking up too much of my time.
They are all over now for me so this weekend was spent in the unit in Rockingham (just south of Perth). The picture below is from the balcony.
It 7am and the day is looking great.
Well well well, just got an email from an old favourite Aussie band TISM.
Quote….
“Hello. It’s been a while. Consider yourselves informed that TISM’s
entire back catalogue is, as of now, available via iTunes for your
digital purchasing pleasure.
That’s EVERY album.
EVERY single.
EVERY B-SIDE.
EVERY Compilation track, bonus edition and remix.
EVERY-F*CKING-THING.
PLUS, more than 100 minutes in previously unheard iTunes exclusive bonus
tracks: private rehearsals, live takes, alternate versions and rejected
songs from throughout TISM’s 23 year history. For the first time
anywhere, hear the complete “NO PENIS-NO GOD” sessions – the gospel
album recorded by TISM in a desparate final gasp for salvation,
following gargantuan sins like the 1996 UK Machiavelli tour.
All downloads include digital reproductions of TISM’s ridiculous cover
art. Choose whole albums or purchase track-by-track for $1.69. Ain’t no
record companies involved, so your money goes straight to the band – for
once.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. iTunes is a free download. Check the google machine. install it.
2. type in ’tism’
3. buy the lot
PLEASE NOTE:
at this time, the TISM catalogue is only avaialable via the AUSTRALIAN
iTunes store. We have already received sad words from those in Europe
and America needing an online TISM fix. If this situation changes, you
people will be the first to know.
If you don’t want to be on this TISM mailing list, reply with ‘remove’
in the subject.
we love you.
TISM HQ”