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Thanks, the cooling fins in places were a bit battered, I've straightened them the best I can. I did consider a new core, however decided against it firstly on the grounds of cost, but mainly because it was still the original one after 56 years. The rear end is actually in a better state than the last gem i rebuilt. This was still being used till fairly recently by a landscaping firm but good old health and safety meant the boss decided to discontinue using it.

Started stripping the rear end tonight. Once off I could see just how bad the rear covers had deteriorated. Only fit for the bin! After taking advise Ive found a firm to rebuild the injector so I had the pleasure of trying to persuade it to part company with the head. Eventually it gave up the fight. I was going to clean and repaint the radiator cap, but when I saw a new chrome finish one was about a fiver on ebay I purchased one, and today it arrived.

I'm guessing that the pulley is like that to alter the gearing, as the belt grips in a different place it technically makes the pulley bigger or smaller. I'm sure the one I worked on just had a standard centifugal clutch but it was nearly 20 years ago.

Hi Pat, im quite familiar with the light plant that was floating about in the mid/late 1990's. A good source of Robin Spares is Meetens, but from memory the carbs are quite expensive. About two years ago when we moved a lot of these Robin engines were skipped sorry, otherwise you could of had a s/h carb.

Even though it was hovering around freezing most of the day, Ive managed to get the paint on the radiator. Just waiting for the paint to fully dry before I take a photo. I have also started straightening out the air filter. I normally get a contact to date my gems for me but ive been having a bit of trouble getting hold of him. Going by the serial number I deducted that it was made between 1960 and 1962. Well today I found May 1961 on the radiator's brass plate, and Febuary 1961 stamped into the air filter, so looks like I wasn't to far out on my estimate.

Found this reference to them on line http://www.publicprocurementonline.co.uk/profiles/b/bitmen/

Hi Pat, I worked on a later version of that many years ago. I seem to recall that it may of been made by Stothert & Pitt?

Hi Pat, I worked on one of these many years ago. I seem to recall that it may of been made by Stothert & Pitt? Had a lot of trouble stopping the carb leakin due to the angle of the engine, in the end I had o resort to a new carb for the customer.

After seeing Chris's recommendation, i'm looking at having the diesel injector overhauled. Can anybody recommend a good firm, please?

Started to clean up the radiator today. After unbolting it, the under engine guard and cooling fan I put it through our industrial parts washer a couple of times. I was amazed how good its come up for nearly a 60 year old rad. Just needs rubbing down and painting now. With all these bits removed, it suprises me how compact the engine is for a 9hp, I guess having no valves etc helps.

Well that would blow the budget, but it will probably be worth it. Still come in a lot cheaper than G206 did!

Got to work early this morning and popped the bonnet, air filter and exhaust off. The bonnet on the whole is very good, its just going to need a bit of panel beating on the front edge and a small crack welding up. The hinge is quite worn, probably caused by the extra vibration of the diesel engine. The fuel tank looks in exceptional condition, probably spillages of diesel have helped preserve it over the years. The air filter is going to require quite a bit of straightening and the spring clips sorting out.

Ok,thanks. Can you remember if it was expensive, as the last one I had done was mates rates at about £25 , but the firm has now long closed down.

Been having a dig around my sheds this morning for parts. As the tyres on this gem were quite reasonable I was going to leave them with just a clean up, however I found these set of rims with a pair of brand new vedestrain tyres fitted that I purchased a few years ago at my local plant sale for the bargin price of £20, which I had almost forgotten about, so it would be a shame not to fit them. In a box I found out my last two new fuel caps that I was given for free by our now retiered Diesel fitter. They should polish up nice. The final photo shows a set of decals that I had made years ago for £15 a set.

This one doesn't start to bad but I've got arthritis in my body so when I caught it wrong the other day going over compression it hurt. Where did you have the injector rebuilt as I've been told in the past that these couldn't be done and would like to seeing how much a Hatz was improved years ago.

One of the worst parts on this Gem is the condition of the rear rotor covers. The fold where the two main covers meet is missing as is the rear soil flap. They could be repaired but to get looking real right would probably take me weeks. Another option is to purchase a new set off Standen's however these come in at nearly £300 a set! In-keeping with my strict budget for this project, Ive dug out a second hand set off a Dowdeswell 650 that I broke up a few years ago. (this machine had a knackered gearbox so I sold the engine for more than I paid for the whole machine so these covers don't owe me a penny). Tonight Ive started the laborious task of stripping the paint off them. I also treated the rust with some prep and ready that I purchased off Frost a few years back, its the best rust killer that ive ever found.

Cant blame youfor going with those tyres at the price difference, I know I would do the same. Do you think it will alter the traveling speed being a bigger diameter?

This is my new project, a Sachs Diesel Howard Gem. I wasn't going to do anymore Gems for a while, however through my Website I was offered this one totally free of charge, and whats more its a runner! I've decided to restore this one on a limited budget, - ideally under £100,as in the past I've tended to get carried away with my machines, I think Keri would have a fit if she saw what I spent on G206. It arrived in my yard today, upuntil then I hadn't even seen it. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. If it hadn't already been repainted, I may of left it as it was.

What revs are the engine doing, most hydraulic packs are designed to run at just over 3000rpm. Try letting the engine warm up for a full 3 minutes before moving the load lever across. Looking at the photo it looks like a 5 Hp Honda? These work very hard to run hydraulics. Also if it still stalls I'd whip the head off a grind in the exhaust valve. Its a pity your not closer to me as I could put my flow gauges in the line and see exactly what is happening.

Thankyou for your kind offer of help, after reading your post the other day I have already put things in hand with them. Will have to see how it goes as all insurance company's are loading the premium.

About 5 years ago I purchased two hayterettes on eBay for about £20 in the end of Febuary. The one was a runner and the other I wanted as it was a 1960's example. I waited about a fourtnight until people started cutting their grass and I sold the runner back on eBay for nearly £90. Wish I could have luck like that all the time.

I can think of a few more choice words!

I've tried basically everyone. Some are even declining to cover me. At the end of the day it's a 1.7 diesel, the same as I've been driving for the last 5 years without incident. I'm 36, I've Got 5 years no claims on this, 3 other policies with 5- 10 years no claims, plus I'm insured on 4 other vechicles. I live in a low rated crime zone.The last time I had an accident was in 1999. I don't know what the hell is going on. I've also got the settlement letter from their insurance accepting full liability and the report from the police stating they are pursing the 3 red party for a careless driving conviction! The other thing is even though I've had rear seats in the written off one for five years, and bar one insurer I've never till now even had an eyebrow raised, suddenly it's become a big no-no to insure them! If anyone else is hit by a 3rd party make sure their insurance gives you at least a couple of grand to cover the insurance hikes!

Well, not happy to say the least. Just come take out new insurance and have been told that because I've been involved in an accident- even though the other party admitted full liability, that my premium has basically doubled!!! I've tried all the online site and the local brokers and they are all coming back the same!!! Apparently because I was driving home and hit buy a young twat I'm more of a risk to cover!!! Life's a real bitch at times!

Sounds a good idea! Maybe a few Bond type gadgets will keep them away in the future. Lol