The joy's of vintage

We're still rebuilding the triumph 500 engine, I guess what I've learnt is a good thing - but old engines even a 67 is always gonna be hard work - we found out this week; when we split the cases that the chain has obviously decided to go it's own way and put a nice big crack in the cases at some point in it's past, a thank you now go's to Glynn for welding it up - it may not be pretty but it can't be seen and it's strong.

It's been a year now since I changed up the 500 into the black and nickel bike - the bike that's caused me more hassle than any other (my first introduction to old bikes, so deservedly so, but gave me the best ride down to the hayride....and nearly made it home...nearly) and a year since I rode it last. But I love it more every day and it teaches me more with every problem I face. I'm not a mechanic, nor an engineer so I treat it as an education - what I've learned has kept my other triumph - the 750 bonneville,  rolling for the last 12 months so I can't complain, it's not like I don't get a ride!

A massive, huge and glorious thank you goes to Jack with helping me on the 3rd rebuild of this engine/gearbox, I'm glad we've finally done the right thing and done a ground up build rather than solving issue's as they come, Old bean, Thank You!!!!!!! I can't wait to ride it again with confidence, and when it happens it will be thanks to you!

Stripped

Friends and I got carried away last night and my step by step 6month project has gone full steam - striping bikes is sensible, using the drained go juice from the tank to try and re-inact the scene from gone in 60 seconds where Vinnie Jones/The Sphinx torches a car by lighting a trail of petrol is not!

Polishing...

Sucks!

Tho cutting ugly lugs off rocks.

Barnsley Shaun's

Took a Drive up to Barnsley Shaun's to pick up a spare frame to play around with before making any Mods to the CB, always nice to catch up - and huge thanks for the fame bud! and thanks for the nose around your cb450 and brat evo - lovely work.

CB350 Inspiration

Some inspiration for my CB350 build?

Rock Solid

Hugo sent me some pics of my RetrogradeMechanica stickers up his his workshop.

Proud to have something stuck up in one of my favourite bike builders shops - if you haven't checked out RockSolid motorcycles check em out here, great guys and amazing work!

Fresh Meat to the Cleaver?

.....Well I don't know - it's such a pretty little thing.
1969 CB350 - I was intending to do a full on BratStyle Cafe build with this, but it's just sitting there quietly charming me - some of the chassis components sure are quirky.

Anyway had a great day picking it up - Thanks to Greg for running me up and to Jonnie & his Wife for selling me the bike, generally being great and for letting me nose around your awesome farm, take photo's and play with the dogs.

Now anyone got any ideas?

And Home....

(not so) Rusty Gold

Spent yesterday millin' round Newark Autojumble, not much to write home about, only coming back with several cans of WD40 and an old spot light, but a nice day none-the-less.