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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...

This has been on the drawing board for a while now. Started life as a sorry specimen from Surrey a few years ago. Cue a few crates and a bit of balancing Some RSJ Lots of cutting Welding and drilling And a pivot was formed A bit more welding A drawing Some more welding and cutting And the rear subframe was finished

You'll have to come back Iain, you forgot the sliding door rails

When I popped into seeing Chris this afternoon. I set eyes on my latest Bolens, the 850, for the first time. I can't wait to get it back to my place some time to give it a damn good clean with a pressure washer and to carry out a light recommissioning of the old girl. Hopefully Chris will get the old engine fired up. Again, I am struck by how well made these Tube Frames are .

Nice job again, Rhys.

So that's what made him late

Nice job james

A classic photo Have you taken it through a drive-through yet?

C4 has felt neglected lately and last weekend I decided to test its limits. It did pretty well, I think the limit is my own survival instinct

it is thanks, it's a good test ground well there is an invite just let me know when you want to pop down a think the weight helps you've got me thinking Doug well if you bring Noddy up... I have thought about life preservation...

Plan a was belts, they've worked for over a year, but are less effective under water

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

Been a while between posts, bendy is now getting used with a vengeance. For sure the crank pin needs sorting, it's getting noisier by the minute Whilst pulling up the cattle grid, I lost 4wd. A look underneath revealed this . The rear needs a belt guard to stop the long grass getting in

Short update Bendy now has a remote locking diff Used a bike brake cable in order to span the articulation joints and make life a bit easier. Spring loaded selector keeps it in or out of lock And a quick video http://youtu.be/Kw6FG_wYTqA

Small update, Bendy finally has an exhaust Cue a piece of child's swing, a table leg and lots of holes Filled with fibreglass and welded up And a nice stainless heat guard

It's looking like our entries for our favourite show in august have not been accepted, so I might well be joining you.... I'll start saving up now! Thanks Ian Thanks!I work in London all week, and get a few days at home to play... But all that time driving and in hotel rooms gives me plenty of time to dream the ideas up. It's actually 5 years since I thought about it, and two years since I started

Are you not coming to Newby? Been contemplating what to add there, I was perhaps thinking a winch... Now I did think about a desperado holder.... I reckon there's a few places I could open a bottle already if stuck Indeed! Thanks

Hmm, works for me, Nigel and Ian... Try refreshing the page

Great weather up here today so time for some painting

Teeny update... Tension spring added to hold the diff lock out an make sure it disengages properly. Trying to come up with a linkage that works across the pivot point.

Today's update... Beside the new headlight unit, I have braved the cold to just about finish the wiring. Which whilst it's my strongpoint, I get zero enjoyment from! Wired the lower dash panel and used a PC style connector so it's removable. Tested it.... It works! Plus I now have switch on and off able lights

I have a plan for it... but not sure how weatherproof it will be

I don't smoke...

I've got a video, just need time to upload it (in between welding and being stopped by the dibble) And good to see you and Sam too, thanks for the deck!

that was the original plan Doug, but there's just not enough room - I did the calculations. At 700psi (powersteering pump) it will lift 0.17 tons, and push down 0.24 tons.. With a decent geared pump (3000 psi) it will lift 0.74 tons and push down just over a ton. I think 700 psi is a good start point, that would lift me at the end of the lift arms I've got 4 10l -3/8 bspp fittings already, but they are the same at both end have you got some with metric thread on the other end? used some more of those brackets today to make part of the front three point hitch, plus turned some 19mm bushes down. cheers

I think this is the last update for Xmas, brackets and a pin made. Rear lift now finished but for pipes and paint

oops, missed the second part of the question... It's a Raider so its on top of the hoodstand

Managed a few hours tonight, cleaned up one of the rams kindly donated by Doug and tried it in place. The stroke is right but the overall length is too much for the space I have... So out with the grinder Got a new end cap and pivots to sort out next - that's the plate underneath in the pic. A quick drop into place and it should fit ok

The posty brought gifts this week. A new seat, battery and some led running lights. In between showers managed to get a bit more done... Firstly mounting my new seat, a kab p2 which is the same as the original raider had. The seat holes and spring holes don't match so the base has two new brackets made up. Then some light brackets on the front fenders And with running light fitted View from the new seat Finally new pin for the handbrake turned down and a teeny bit cut out of the fender so the handbrake clears. And not forgetting finally getting some primer on the hood and seat base before a quick stick together pic.

Despite wanting to play, I have found time to make some fenders from scrap pieces of Ian's 6x6... With a patch welded in Ground flat and e tanked Primed and in place I made some brackets too, but forgot to take a picture. I've ordered some lights too

And the video....

Got through a lot this weekend... Cleaned up the front hubs and beefed them up, along with some painting. Looking better with some red on! One of the hubs and axle in pretty chewed up, 1/4" slot drill on order to cut a new keyway.

I am slowly being talked round Yes it will have front fenders.... Thanks Ian Got 4 days at work in London, not sure it will be a rest as I've been on hols for a week, so no doubt it will be mayhem! Steering now complete-ish.... Very tight, with no play. The rubber damper will have to go, it made adapting discovery parts to beetle very easy, but it's twisting under load. Engine is out as there's nothing to bolt to yet, there's no seat or fenders either. I did get 5 mins to offer the original raider footrests up, with a bit of cutting and welding they will fit just fine. So this is how it ends for a few weeks, will continue to see how it goes and whether the GT gets the boot in favour of bendy

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 !!

Brief update... Keyways cut And it now steers, well temporarily until I do it properly.

A short update.... Centre drive complete

Few more updates.... A 1972 beetle steering box And mounting it the wrong way round

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.