Kawasaki H1B at Kempton…

And what a cracker too…

Kawasaki H1b 500

 

And outside was a nice Knucklehead custom..

 

Harley Knucklehead Custom

Indian Summer…

A picture of Doug Wothke’s, 1929 Indian Cannonball Run bike, number 88.

1929 Indian

Saturday at Kempton…

Yesterday March 10th was another Mortons Media run Kempton Park Jumble, and although the weather was predicted to be wet and rainy, apart from one small shower it was a very nice day, warm with just a little sun thrown in. It had the usual mix of old, and not so old motorcycles and parts for sale, and plenty of people milling around to make the day interesting.

Nice Triumph for sale

Complete AJS Barnfind

“Old Smokey” Bob’s 70’s Harley Shovelhead

If you would like to see some more pictures from the day, then check out the attached slideshow link Slideshow       

More Guzzi Chronicles, 4…

I started fitting the Bates fairing today, this came with my bike, but was not fitted, and had no fittings etc, not sure whether to keep it on or not.

Guzzi Eldorado and Bates Fairing

Bates USA fairing

First fitting

Should it stay, or should it go?

 

There is more Moto Guzzi madness here…   The Racing Rhino

 

Down at the Lockup…

I have been trying to fettle my Guzzi as and when time allows, it is behind schedule as it happens, but there is nothing I can do about it. I have changed out the cylinders and pistons, rebuilt the top end, done an alternator conversion, changed the wiring, plus a load of other small items, in the vain hope of attending the replacement Vtwin Guzzi rally this weekend. But alas, it was not to be, just ran out of time.

Moto Guzzi 850GT Eldorado

But right now, it is all back together, running, and ready for the MoT, and a new set of tyres while it is there. Then I can run the motor in, and start knocking up some miles…. Just as we come towards the end of summer!

Just two bikes, Triumph, and Guzzi

My little Triumph is going well, and has much better manners since I installed better YSS rear shocks, it has really transformed the handling, and the ride comfort. A fun little bike.

Moto Guzzi Pattern Parts…

I have had my fill of badly made over priced pattern parts!

There I have said it! but alas it is true, and I have the proof right here in my little lock up. Three new clutch cables with oversized barrel ends that won’t fit the handlebar lever, and now a replacement handlebar too.
My new handlebar came sealed in a bag and looked fine, so I stripped the old bars from the bike, and fitted the new ones, then I found the throttle tube would not fit the new bars, I had to spend a few hours rubbing down the chrome with emery paper until the throttle would fit. After this I fitted the rest of the items, levers etc..

1973 Eldorado 850

Then when sitting on the bike the bars felt wrong, my arms were at different points, just wrong, so I again stripped the bars and removed them, to see what was wrong…..

Guzzi bars rubbed back for throttle to fit

Can you see what’s wrong?

These are new pattern bars?

I have it sorted now though, I fitted some Norton bars instead.

More Guzzi Chronicles,4…

So my Guzzi Eldorado is all back together, and ready for an MoT. But! I have bought three new clutch cables, from two different sources, and none of them fit the lever end, the barrel nipple is too big?  I do happen to have two old original Moto Guzzi cables and these fit with no issues, so I have had to refit an old cable for now. I shall try to order a cable from the US and see if that fits? I wonder if any others have had a problem with these new cables?

Eldorado V850

 

Just Like Buses….

I love Sundays, there is always something to do, but there never seems to be enough Sunday to fit it all in! Today was one of those days, I was up early, the summer sun streaming in through the doors of the barge joined with a cool breeze coming off the river. So I grabbed some money and the keys to the Triumph, and headed out onto empty roads looking for a coffee.
Pretty soon I found a village store that was open and serving coffee, which was followed by a bimble through tiny Berkshire lanes, complete with grass growing along the centre. Next it was over into Hampshire, heading for Popham airfield, where the annual megameet takes place, this is a big bike show and jumble, made even better today by the perfect summer weather.

Once at the show it was nice to see one of the new Brough Superior SS100’s being used out on the road, but just like buses, you don’t get to enjoy just one, but a fantastic site to see two of these rare bikes parked up beside each other…

The Brough Superior

Brough SS100

SS100 at Popham

Brough

Brough again

Pure Class

A pair of Brough’s

Superior by name…

More Guzzi Chronicles, 3…

It runs!!

well after I sorted out the wiring it does. in fact it started right up at first push of the start button, and sounds pretty good. I just need to do a bit of tidying up, cables, wiring, etc, the usual stuff. I feel I need to order a new wiring loom from Greg though.

Eldorado 850

Police Dash

YSS Suspension

Borrani Rims

 

More Guzzi Chronicles, Again…

As I keep plugging away at the Guzzi Eldo, it continues to get closer to the end, and once more back on the road. The Gilardoni kits are fitted, the Scrambler alternator kit is fitted, most of the wiring is sorted, new YSS rear shocks, new coil, etc. Things are coming together, and maybe this weekend I can have it running once again? We shall see.

Guzzi Eldorado 850

Going back together

Alternator kit

YSS shocks

The Sunday Retreat