Can of worms it is!

As Mackenzie noticed an exhaust stud was going bald it was decided to take them out and replace them with nice new Stainless Steel Allen bolts. 

One came out .. .

Two came out .. .

Three came out .. .

Four snapped.

On closer inspection it showed that it has snapped before and had been really, really badly bodged before it got to CC HQ. A crooked helicoil did not help. 

First solution, weld a nut to the stud and put a socket on it. But it snapped somehow with around 6mm left protruding. Plan B, delicately grind a slot in the bolt and use an impact drive. But it didn't work. Plan C, easy outs, going well, stud snapped 8mm into the stud hole. Its not gone well for Mackenzie.

Chunks of the stud and helicoil.

A clean hole!

With the helicoli pretty much demolished it was drilled out. Next idea to solve it is weld it all in, drill and re-tap it. Or some kind of insert.

Apologies

A huge apology has to made due to the lack of work. With Mackenzie in his final year at university, building and riding bikes are a pipe dream at the moment. However finishing in university in early May a promise will be made to keep busy with bikes! All of course will be shared!

Yet another bigger apology has to made. With (supposed) help with videos and pictures from the Google+ app, blogging was meant to be a doodle. Yet in true techno tradition it all fucked up big time, stripping the entire blog of all pictures and videos. All two years of the CC boys blogged work. Bollocks.

So fuck you Google+. And fuck you complicated technology.

(Pictures to be painstakingly put back up when free time is available)

Opening a Can of Worms!

Well after not much success with the jets and getting it running smoothly (despite an actual ride around the block!!) Mackenzie had feeling about something.

There was something in the back of Mackenzie's mind that told him the valve gaskets weren't on. So off came the valve inspection caps and his inkling was right! Yet other horrors were found!

Well he was right! No Gasket. Also missing - a valve stem! it was wedged between the seen rocker cover bolt and the valve springs and ended up rough.

Next up was the exhaust tappets - these valve stems were completely loose and have came out! Leaving it to a game of operation and long nose pliers they were plucked out.

So a big panic was where can they get another valve stem so quickly? A few old engine were looked out but no valve stems fit unill the last engine! A 125 Scooter! Valves were then set up correctly and covers had gaskets

As dark got the better of them, seeing the valve difference will have to wait till next week

Minor Jobs

With the jets on order Luke and Mackenzie dealt with the smaller tasks

The tank was lined.

An exhaust baffle was taken out as there was two much pressure.

Throttle and clutch cables were made an the rear brake was set up

Oil was changed

Now all the smaller parts are done it should be easier!

Lets Get You Running!

So as cosmetics were now completed it was now time to attend to the mechanical side of things and get her running

Basics were set up just to get the engine turning over. On inside inspection the tank needed relining so a makeshift plastic petrol bottle was rigged up, and with no brass nipples to solder for cables it was just pulled. Pretty primitive but it was just to get the engine going!

As soon as it fired up the carb gushed with petrol. With a strip down and not a clue wiser it was taken to a singles guru. Carb was inspected at it was found that the bowl level was out and the main jet was way to huge. So with that addressed some lower jets were ordered and other areas were looked at. 

Last Big Part!

Today Mackenzie picked up the seat. The last part that really finishes the bike off.

Stan the Leather Man of Hackney Road was the culprit of the great work upholstery work. Will definitely be using him for future work!

Sorry for the bad quality pic! Shall be replaced soon with a better one!

And there she is! In all her 14 months of growing glory! The finished view!

The boys a small list of things to do now. Cables, speedo etc. 

Oh! And get it running ... . .

Wiring Complete

Today a huge sense of relief filled Mackenzie. The bane of most vehicles - Wiring. The bike was dropped of to the wiring Guru that is Steve Hallam of Baron's Speed Shop in Croydon. 

Two weeks later it was all done and ready to pick up. Such an unbelievable standard of work, so neat and tidy that will last forever.

All is covered by the seat and/or tucked away in the headlight bowl.

Bike will look super clean. This level of work could never been matched by Mackenzie, especially in two weeks!

Massive thanks to Steve, will definitely see you again with the next project!

Next up the seat! Seat has been completed by Stan the Leatherman and will be picked up shortly!