Alan

Still a way to go before you catch up with my 6 great grand children Norm,  then you WILL feel old.  

Now I feel old. Liam, No1 grandson, has just phoned to tell us we're going to be great grandparents.
  Doesn't seem all that long ago, as a toddler, he was trying to wash my Yamaha FZR1000 motorbike with a feather.

Happy Birthday Andrew    Another one already.  

Picked the frame and swinging arm up from the powder coaters this morning. Well pleased with them.
 

 
  Wheel hubs and spokes got cleaned up Wednesday and finished Thursday. Really time consuming. The remaining paint on the hubs had to be carefully chipped and scraped off. The spokes rubbed down with emery cloth.
  Hubs got a first coat of paint this afternoon. Brush painted with one of Carols 3/4" wide artists brushes.
 

 
  Next week I start the hunt for parts.
 

Last day on Dunc's carport for now. It's now got both sides and cable end clad. Bit of trimming on the gable end and barge board to fit, but Dunc will do that.
 

 

 
  Dunc's C-125 got put to work hauling sand up to the yard, for the men doing the paving between house and yard.
 
 
 

 
 I can have a rest now till sometime next week.

Back over the Border yesterday and today.
  First though a pile of dirt to move from the yard. While Dunc got the tractor and trailer, I drove the digger up to the yard. Never operated a digger since I sold mine about 15yrs ago. 
  1-1/2 loads and the yard was cleared and levelled. Took the digger back down to the soon to be main workshop, then trailer was loaded with boards and taken up to the carport. Third bay was finished by lunch time. Photo' was taken before we started.
 

  
After lunch we started on the back gable end. Hopefully get that finished tomorrow and make a start on the other side.
 
It's a grand way to spend a Bank Holiday weekend.  
 
 

Wheels ready to be cleaned up. Which will be fun.

 
Brake plates etc finished.
 

Spent the weekend painting bits and bobs. Couldn't decide whether to paint the frame or get it powder coated. Monday morning I made the decision and took the frame and swinging arm to be powder coated after lunch. Get it back in about a week. 
   In the mean time I'll see where I can get new fork stanchions and seals, plus rear shocks.
 
 
  To days been a real washout. None stop rain. So it's been a workshop day.
 
 These parts are now finished and will be wrapped up and put away.
 
 
  Started on the wheels today. First the rear. Removed the brake plate and then the shoes. Cleaning the old paint off the brake plate took a while. Much scraping and wire brushing. Then it was primed. Later it got a first and second coat of top coat.
 Getting the tyre off was a right fight. It still had air in. Not bad for standing for 20yrs. My valve removal tool seems to have gone awol, so I got as much air out as I could by pushing the valve down. Next broke the beads with the use of a G clamp. Then the struggle started.
  The tyre side wall goes well down in the rim. About an inch. With the use of one long lever and two short ones, plus a big screw driver, the tyre succumbed. Pulling the tube out with some air still in it, was a struggle as well. Gave the wheel a bit of a clean up, then put it on one side.
  Next, the turn of the front wheel. Brake plate got the same treatment as the rear one. That and the brake arm are now awaiting a second top coat. That's it for today. Seven and a half hours is enough. Wheel will get the tyre removed another day.
 

Well the frame fitted in the cabinet. Just! Made my poor old back ache though, having to stoop a bit and moving the thing round. Got it done though. Plus some other parts.
 

 

 

 
 Tomorrow I'll give everything a rub down and get things primed.

Stripped the fork legs down yesterday.
 

 
  I'll need new seals and stanchions. The stanchions are well pitted and wont re-chrome. The lower legs will be sand blasted. I met a chap yesterday who's going to let me use his blasting cabinet. It's bigger than mine and the frame should just fit in, if my measurements are right.  I'll find out later in the week.
 

Took a trip down to South Wales to take SWMBO to meet her long lost sister and family. While there exploring their farm and buildings, I stumbled on a trials motorcycle covered in 20yrs of dust and grime. After a pressure wash it looked a little better.
 

 
   1982 SWM 125 TL. Italian built with Bombadier 2 stroke Rotax engine made in Austria. Very popular in their day and ridden by some of the top riders.
 
  Before we left, minus front wheel and handlebars, it fitted nicely in the back of my car. It's now at it's new home.
 
  Engine turns over but no spark. Think it's a wiring problem but could be ignition. CDI set up. I'll investigate that later when I've done some research.
  Started the strip down this morning, so some photo's of progress.
 

 

 

 
First post was Fridays work. This post is Saturday.
 
Bit more done today.
 

 

 

 
Things will slow down now. Cleaning up. Seeing what needs replacing and sourcing the money.
 
Just hope I can remember where everything goes.

While mowing the green and verges yesterday, I sensed some vibration, more than usual. I've replaced the anti vibration spacers between engine and wobble plate. After fitting them there was just a trace of vibration.
  When I'd finished mowing I decided to investigate. I found two broken bolts. One LH rear and one RH front. No wonder there was more vibration. I'd no spare bolts, but I do have a quantity of 10mm cap head Alan bolts. They'll do thinks I. I'll remove the cross bars that the wobble plate sits on and re-thread the holes.
  The rear bar came of easily. The front was a different kettle of fish. The bolts were inaccessible due to the front axle. So the tractor was jacked up, wheels removed,tie bars disconnected and axle lowered. I could then get at the bolts with a socket and short extension bar.
  Re-drilling the holes was fun, as I don't have any Vee blocks. Carefully fit in the hand vice and level up with a spirit level. Then tapped them out and re-fitted. Engine of course was still in place, but with a big tyre bar levering the engine up, I got the bars in place. Replace axle, tie bars and wheels. Let the tractor down and then the fun started.
  Using the same method I replaced the spacers and bolts. But would the bolts line up with the holes.. I must have fought on for an hour and wishing I had four hands.
  Had a coffee, sit down and a think. Back to the tractor and then it hit me. Wazack! I'd got the rear cross bar in the wrong holes in the chassis/frame. There's two sets about an inch apart and I'd used the rear ones. The rear bar was to far back.  
  Got the bolts started and then another problem showed up. An Alan key/wrench would not fit due to the close proximity of the heads to engine. That was solved by cutting off about 3/8" off the end of a key. That and a 8mm ratchet ring spanner did the job.
 

 
  Got a nice smooth tractor again.

Been a while since I updated things...
 
firstly new rubber!
 

 

 
after getting the wheels powder coated I stuck a new set of 6-12 on. I couldn’t find another Dunlop ag tyre. 
 
Ewan fixed the hood... made a smart job, where it had been butchered 
 

 
then this happened.
 

 
I made a three point for the back. 
 
then this 😀
 

 
the IH club helped me get the original number plate. Registered in Carlisle in 1964.
 
I painted a plate in scale with the tractor. Not legal, but I’m hardly likely to drive it on the road...
 

 
Still need to sort a trip darn south to see Chris and pick up that engine. Then I can think about adding hydraulic lift 😁

in the meantime I’m planning a pto on the back...

First walk, still without engine. The armchair will also be refurbished

Another three gone today, two MG6 and the Jarrett MG5, Had a disaster with TVo MG6 spent the whole day yesterday serciceing and getting it started, ran for a couple of minutes and then big bang crankshaft snapped through one of the webs, conrod through the block piston smashed serious mess, fortunately I have enough spares to build up a replacement but never the less they are not leaving without a fight. Now down to 137, Digger, ITW Barge and two sand skimmers.

Something different Joseph.   Sorry I can't help with the belt size but nice to see your cameraman at long last.  I see you are training him to get dirty too.  

Something different Joseph.   Sorry I can't help with the belt size but nice to see your cameraman at long last.  I see you are training him to get dirty too.  

Happy Birthday Nigel  

Now in its new home...
 
 



 

Been a little while, but I thought it was time I knocked the dust of this little project. Towing the Billy Goat and trailer, due to the nature of the ground I mow, was always going to be rather awkward. So I've been thinking of a slightly different idea.
 
  Made a start yesterday and the Billy Goat ended up like this.
 

 
   Now I don't want to make any alterations to the Billy Goat. If this idea doesn't work, I want to put it back as was.  Some head scratching and ratching about to see what was lying around, I've ended up with this.
 

 
  The side bars are the second pair. The first ones I made I decided were too short.
 
   To  be continued...….
 
 

Nice job Paul.    Think I saw a Boadicea at John's during the clear out., could that be the one. ? 

A few more progress photos...
 
 
 

 

 

Looking better already Paul.  

After seeing CNews fantastic mower project it got me thinking...
 
I had a spare O&R engine in stock and a very sad looking Nash Boadicea mower with a tired JAP 34 on it...
 
It's not finished yet, just a bit of fun using what bits I have in stock...
 
 
 
 

Next job on Pams list is the driveway gates, they were rotted out and I  ended up having to make new frames as well.