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Yours looks great Paul, all very original! Are you taking it to any shows this year? I put all mine roughly together this morning to see what it looks like when it's all assembled. I'm quite impressed by it.. Tom

Hi all as I mentioned earlier I kept having chain issues with the rear drive so i ordered new pilot bore sprockets Similar to What Mark used in fact I have copied his very clever idea on mounting them ( I asked him first if I could copy him ) any way now that my lathe is up and running I bored out the brake drums and the sprockets here's is what I have done

Malvern is getting close so I Started to make the rear drawbar hook that was used to clasp the canal barge tow ropes, it's cut from 1" thick plate and 1" bar bent to shape. I need to taper the round bar and mill a slot so they can be pinned together, then make the latch lever.

Nice to meet up with Iain again, was a back breaking job with those heavy bits but I think we all enjoyed the rummage

After weeks of sorting and clearing lots of small stuff, mainly junk for the tip, we had a visitor from Norfolk yesterday. Iain arrived for what he thinks will be his last visit to collect his reserved items. Luckily it was mainly dry, not like today which is wet and windy. Didn't get many photo's this time, just a few near the end of the loading. The main items were John's last remaining Bolens tractor which had fun dragging a very heavy 8ft steel bench, a heavy engine hoist and bench drill up to the van. Iain also twisted our arms to let him take numerous other smaller items plus a pair of trailers and peace offerings for his boss at home. He couldn't though, be persuaded to take a 6ft 3 furrow Ransom plough which had recently been discovered in the undergrowth. John knew it was there but forgot to tell anyone. Thanks again Iain for making the trip and to the Showman for all his help on the day. It was hard work for the three of us, most likely impossible for two due to the weight involved.

Just finished scanning these photos and had a quick read at the latest posts on the skimmer thread. There is only that one photo of the skimmer, the rest have been taken at different rallys and show other Ransomes MGs. From the look of some of the photos they were taken quite a while ago, in among the photos I found a brochure for the 1992 Great Dorset Steam Fair which would back this up. I did not know when I was bidding on the piece of Ransomes literature that these photos would be included, the seller just added them in. I had sort of figured that since all the other photos were likely from down round the south that the photo of the skimmer would be from the same general area. Here's the pics, anyone recognise any of the machines? Rob

Maybe :-) nothing stopping the boss planting a few hundred hedge plants in the field now :-)) What made me smile is how they came untied on the way home and ended up all over the van. Had to take them out one at a time, took s while Iain

Great to see Alan, Chris and John yesterday. Thanks for the fantastic company and for helping with the loading, it was a good day. Looking at Alan's pictures I still had some more space in the van The Bolens was clearly excited to be coming to Norfolk and joining my other Bolens, as it was rattling against the van bulkhead all the way home. Iain

Standard model has 7hp Kohler, three speed, one rear wheel brake, narrower front end than the deluxe, recoil start with electric start an option, pto Deluxe has 10hp Kohler, 6 speed gearbox (3 High 3 low), electric start, two pto points Here's the brochure photos. If you look on my Martin Markham Colt Deluxe post there are more photos of the Deluxe brochure...

it's keeping them clean Norm, would be a nightmare in mud - plus they aren't designed to run out of line either I thought of cogged v with perhaps some grooves or notches in the pulleys to stop it slipping just not enough room James I've turned the sides of the sprockets down to allow a greater angle. I think running worn and loose with idlers is the way to go.I ran it again at the weekend and it did better, but it is an extreme angle i'm asking it to do I've just finished 4 years of development!!!!!Brief update... Started with a vengeance on the hydraulics. Done the levers Shame every fitting I have is different I think I'll end up changing everything over to jic, as can't adapt the spool valve to metric

As if by magic... Apologies for he rubbish shot, number 2 son came in and stood in the light It's been a cold day up north, minus 4 first thing and it just passed zero degrees by lunch. So lots of cups of coffee were in order and using the kitchen island to put most of the first loom together And the first bit in place behind the tank and steering column. Next job is to make the panel fit and add the fuses and light circuits.

Today's update, lots of stuff has arrived Firstly switches, lights and connectors Then a batch of stickers Which meant I could finish these, shame I couldnt get the tacho in black bezel... Might have to spray it.... Might make a start on the dash panel tomorrow.

cheers Norm I think its a nice touch Only managed to Wheel it out of the workshop before tea for an arty shot I'm starting on the gauges and electrics next I think...

That's what he told me as well. What's his boss's phone number ? She needs to know.

I thought you weren't buying any more?

I had the chance to have a very quick look at Andrew's 850 yesterday when I was dropping a tractor off for Chris. Very nice machine. Iain

you lot have inspired me minty really didn't want it go Archie did a ace job steering it There is 500 yard run between our fields and our house I dare not tow him on the road so i pushed it down the pavement, its weighs a bastard! its now all tucked up in my garage. I'm a hoarder.

Good .neat job James

Not trying to corner any markets just trying to find all the bits to get a machine restored to full working order. You need to sell things to corner the market and I don't sell a lot.

hahaha. Yes my Mrs was out in my van and i'd got no beer ...... so this happened

It's mainly water causing me pain and snow. I can't seal them in

That was on of my earlier plans, but they are not as tolerant to twist as v belts, plus once clogged up they ride over too. Will perservere a little longer

Well first phase of the new year hasn't gone well. Here's the original setup Then the new one A short test drive ended like this So for now, back to plan a

Long overdue an update! But now I have a fairly functional workshop I can get on with the outstanding jobs to complete bendy. In no particular order: Improve final drive to live rear axle, if the belts get wet or grass gets trapped then I lose drive under extreme conditions. Complete front three point hitch Add a diff lock indicator and improve the spring tension Complete the hydraulics. Add a front chain idler - the front chain has stretched and flaps around a bit Get the crank pin reground on the magnum 16 I'm thinking of tackling the hydraulics next, here's a d series dual spool valve and transit power steering pump. There should be just enough room to squeeze them in under the front right fender.

Yup... Bed, food, clothes, transport, workshop and an awesome dad Final picture and play before loading up...

Great weather yesterday meant bendy received his final decals and an airing in the sun. Finally fitted a throttle and made the linkages work.

thanks! me too, just about the right amount of beefy thanks, thats the front three point... hope so

And the engine is now back in and running With the obligatory video http://youtu.be/8tsJKAGmTEg

I was dead lucky, no Idea when I'll get another good day.

Brake is at the front Norm

Today's update, after being 12 nuts short of a full packet you can stop picking on me. A quick zap in my magic tank And voila, shiny nuts

Latest sticker order arrived today, so the lower dash panel is complete.

The plastic panel is in good nick, but I don't want the lighter socket and I want the electric clutch to say spots! So rather than try butcher a nice panel, I thought I'll add a sticker, will also match the lower dash panel. Cheers

cold and snowy outside, so got on inside and made a custom dash decal. The existing dash panel is in pretty good condition, but needs painting and I'd prefer the electric clutch to be something else so here is a new panel.

Perfect! Looks like I'm dropping in the week after next Thanks

Maybe I haven't then, mine are bsp both ends

Hmmm, not so sure... Could be a plan...

Short update Battery isolator and fuse box in place Cut n shut complete on the ram

there's only one port cos I chopped the end off the cylinder Norm Got some welding to do....

Slow day today, put the gauges back in this morning and went for a spin... Within 5 seconds the volt meter and rev counter stopped working the wires wrapped around the steering uj and ripped out of the back So lost an hour there soldering them back in Finally hooked up the choke linkage, then started on this The battery isolator and fuse box panel.

Well big progress today Bendy is back to a rolling chassis... I fit the remaining oil seats in the front transmission, ordered some more woodruff keys and started the reassembly process. Lots of new nuts and bolts, its a shame to fit rusty ones back in especially when you can see them..... well I did cheat reusing the old ones for the transmission and the wheel bolts, 7/16 unf are hard to come by and not so cheap. I'm going to buy some zinc and have a go at electroplating them. Also got the remote shift working the forward reverse, just the high low lever to fit. the cat sneaked into a shot

Today's update... The keyway in the axle was shot, the end of the hub shot too. The end to middle was ok and useable but needed a longer key to replace the small woodruff key. So I ordered a 1/4" end mill and used the lathe to cut a new one. Firstly making sure the height was spot on by marking the centre of the axle, this needs shims in order to get the correct centre. The final score line can just be seen. Then running the mill through in small passes to cut an 3 inch keyway. Once the full cut was done here's a half together shot showing the hub, fresh key steel and axle.

Here's a big clue, needless to say my cunning plan works

Short update.... Bendy made it to this years UK wheel horse round up and then back.... some of you saw it, the weather spoilt it off the rest. I started on the footplates this week, using the original ones but reversed left and right. New bars for the footrests - a bit of rebar With the heavily modified plates back on Amazing how the original front angle works in reverse And with the seat on blocks to get the height Next stop, rear transmission strip down

An overdue update... Thought I'd get in the action on fender repairs, by the time I welded up the holes in a c series fender, I thought it easier to weld up the very rusty raider fender. Here it is with most rust cut out and patched And with the last patch in place Time for a short video showing the final transmission arrangement and steering. http://youtu.be/S6zzlN8f1-0 And some pics with the body mounted and engine It was going to Newby, but now the GT is going there's no room...

Sten what a cracking collection 1980's is 30 years ago, and when will you see another collection like that ?? Take 'em to a show !!

A few more goodies in the post this week, so a little lathe work. Turning out a 17t pilot bore sprocket for a 42mm bearing. Front intermediate drive assembled.

Another update Part of the rear fender, also the 3 point top link mount How it mounts Finalising the front tranny mount Making the intermediate drive from the mid tach point. Checking position

Managed a bit of a rejig in the shop today and in a bid to save my knees got the project up a bit higher! First job is to sort out a small alignment issue on the rear subframe, then crack on with hooking the two transmissions together.

Thanks Slow progress this week, but I did get a delivery transmission parts, plus some big chevrons as I've said before I like big wheels.... More to come