Vinnetrow

Never mind the paint, lets see some doughnuts

Thanks Mark...  I do need to get the Akerman angles sorted.. Good steering would be kinda handy for the high speed runs
 
 
 
 
That would ruin the look Norm.. I will just have to move all the trees, people, cars, odd object to taste, that might be in the way during the drive
 
 
 
 
It's good to know there are at least three of us here who have made a slight er.. Error whilst building steering
I did look at putting the steering quadrant thingy underneath, but there just isn't the ground clearance, only 1/2 inch at best!
 
 
 
 
Thanks James.. What's next is a good question, there are lot's of smaller bit's to do now all the big stuff is out the way!
 
 
And for your viewing pleasure, here's the latest Why Not video..
 

getting close to the end of this project now just a few issues to sort out, its funny how when you start a project like this you have a picture in your head of what it will look like, but as you progress your mind starts to wonder, anyway this is what it looks like, what do you think
 

It's good to know I'm not the only one who does these daft things
 
I need to do a few tweaks but the steering is now sorted... It even steers the right direction
 

 

 

 

Thanks Mark, yeah it is rather awesome gear lever.. The gear shift will be kinda like WRC cars... 1 forward, 4 back.. Bike gears but hand shifted
 
 
Well, it's been an er.. interesting kinda day!!
 
Things started well with a frame being made to add some strength to the fender pan.. This frame will be welded to the pan and some extra cross members put in for the seat to bolt to, once I get a seat that's not got and splits in it!
 

 
 
And then the rose joints I ordered for making steering arms turned up in the post.
 

 
 
So I set to, cutting up some thick metal..
 

 
 
A quick mock-up later to check that the steering would work.. And this is where a slight mistake was spotted... Can you spot it?
 

 
 
Turn the steering wheel to the right....
 

 
 
And the wheel hubs turn to the left!!!   I think "Oops" is the correct word
 

 
 
As I said... An interesting day

Evening all, well after the shock of finding a fully grown tree outside my workshop when I arrived!
 

 
 
I started to sort out this mess of wiring..
 

 
 
And by the end of the day, the Beast has awakened
 

Thanks Chris, your not the first person to mention club hammers
 
 
 
 
Thanks Tom, seeing Why Not's true stance was the reason for getting her off the bench, She looked very tall on the bench and very low when off
 
 
 
 
Thanks Ben, it will be good to catch up with you again
 
 
A bit more progress, the second brake disc and spacer/hub adapter thingy have been made and welded to the hubs...
 
Brake caliper in place but not fitted yet.
 

 
 
Almost full lock..
 

 
 
One thing bugged me with the outside photo's... The fender pan looked to be leaning towards the back!!    But with a bit of box section wedged under the back a much meaner aggressive look emerged...
I guess I have a few tweaks to do in this department
 

Thanks Norm.. I think I have worked out the steering now, but more on that when it happens
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks guy's... Your fascination with dogs private parts is a bit worrying though
 
 
 
 
Thanks Iain..
 
 


With both kingpin steering pivot thingys welded up (although in need of a little cosmetic grinding), the time had come to mount them to the front axle at an angle of 80 degrees       A close up for ya all..       And at last Why Not is finally on all four wheels..  Yes the camber is a bit radical but that will be sorted when some nylock nuts arrive hopefully tomorrow.       Of course now with Why Not rolling she had to be taken off the bench and wheel outside for a look at her on ground level..   But before those photo's a BIG   to Nigel for helping all day yesterday to get Why Not on all fours.. Thanks Mate   A few photo's taken in the great out doors                     And for your viewing pleasure a video    
 
 

Cool video and cool stuff in the background as well!   Almost needed some suspenders thought! 

More photos...
 
 

I have just bought another Bolens which I plan to collect over the weekend. I not sure how it happened really as I was not planning to buy any more tractors.
 
It must be a very late G14 as it has a number of differences to my other G14's. It is in very good condition although it does require some work. It comes complete with a 42 inch cutting deck which is not in the greatest condition.
 
The previous owner has done a very interesting modification to the PTO which overcomes some of the issues with rebuilding the original. It has has a home made tow hitch which is very similar to something I was thinking of making to tow my Ifor.
 
Pictures to follow when I collect it.
 
Iain

great work as always!  

I like the tractor, what is the other thing parked in the workshop , it looks real interesting.

love it

Cool vid and a great machine Max

Another fantastic creation. Project 'TBD'

Me too
 
 
Good progress has been made made today, both steel blocks have been bored out to take the lengths of steel that pivot in the rose joints..
 

 

 

 
 
Jumping slightly forward here as I forgot to take photo's of all the stages..
Both pivot thingys have been drilled and a thread tapped to keep the rose joints in position, and both pivot thingys were press fitted into the block.. a nice tight fit they were too
 

 
 
You may of also noted from the above photo that the whole thing has been put in the lathe so I can cut a few tapers...  If your wondering it span quite straight only a 1mm out of true.. Quite chuffed with that
 

 
 
Stub axle installed, another tight pressure fit.. I still need to weld it all together, and yes the bearing will be coming off before the hot sparks fly..
 

 
 
I'm rather happy with how this front end lark is coming together
 

so i shot a couple pictures of my horse
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
there ya go

(Start again, I shouldn't have dragged that pic on the page and lost my while post, GRRRRR!)
 
Tornado is an old machine, A fun machine, and much more than just a machine. Tornado is my transport, my steed and my friend. (Well it seems that way, the bike has so much character!)
 

 
Like any older machine, my Royal Enfield took practice and care to learn to ride safely and properly. The gear pedal is on the right, 1st is up with 2,3,4 down, with the rear brake on the left. Quite hard to get used to. There is an additional lever on the gear box called a neutral finder. you press your heal on it when slowing for a junction and it clucks down through the gears! You can't just flick the gear lever like a modern bike, you push it in the direction you want to change and then wait half a second until the old Albion gearbox clunks into the next gear.
 

 
Riding Tornado is so enjoyable. Anybody that had used an older vehicle will have learnt the tricks to be able to use it comfortably and safely, well the Royal Enfield took a while to learn and get used to, but when I am out there, tornado and I are a team, both working to get us to our destination. The feeling is wonderful, and I have been told often, that I always arrive with a big smile on my face.
 

 
I look after Tornado well, but we both seem to like off road pursuits, and there is nothing that satisfies me more than a quick trip down a byway, stopping for breakfast or lunch on the way. If you have been out on your KTM trials bike, and just stared open mouthed as an ancient green bike came past on a byway, that was us!
 

 
There again, wheeling him somewhere for a quick clandestine photo is usually great fun too.
 

 
I don't know all the history, but the bike is older than the registration plate. Apparently, some people sell them?
 

 
We go everywhere, rallies, old pillboxes as I do research on them, and sometimes even places we possibly shouldn't (YAY!) Everything is metal, the side covers, mudguards, everything and the single cylinder chugs away with a sound all it's own. Not a fast bike, but lots of torque at low engine speeds. 
 
I have no idea how I will keep this bike running for the rest of my life, but I don't intend to get another.
 

 
I couldn't sell the bike even if I wanted too.... Tornado wouldn't let me!
 
and so, that is basically Tornado. Steed, transport, friend.
 
He looks good next to the Lister B as well!