The bike has now received a 'Pass' of the Ministry of Transport Test and is considered safe to be on the road now that the weeping oil seal has been fixed. I take responsibility for that failure point as I had 'butchered' the two oil seals when I re-assembled the forks quite some months ago now. Lesson learnt…I need a proper bearing driver set rather than use a similar sized socket! Anyway, fork oil seals replaced and no more leaks.
The P-clips arrived in M10 form so I could mount them on the lower yoke pinch bolts. They are just perfect for moving the braided brake hoses away from the fork legs which was the other failure point. And with all that done she was given a 'Pass' certificate for one year.
The Red Bull can went the way of the bin and in its place went an un-required Brembo brake reservoir with a single side exit which was perfect for the job. A little hole was drilled in it to release pressure and vapours. This is only a temporary measure as the home-made oil catch tank has its vent to atmosphere at the bottom which means fluid is going to come out of it…it should be at the top. I shall have to try and locate a properly fabricated one to fit in the very small gap I have.
This is the first bike I have ridden since 2006 when I sold my Ducati 748. The first few miles I felt quite vulnerable but I think that was as much to do with riding a bike that I don't know and the thought at the back of my head that I actually built it and not renowned for my practical skills!! Or common sense as I ran out of petrol on the way back…thankfully half a mile from my brother in law, who once again has been a diamond bringing me out a few litres of fuel. I shall now experience range anxiety for the rest of my life!!
At the weekend my 11 year old daughter helped turn the tip we call a garage into a useable storage space…
…all it was missing was the Guzzi.
All that remains now is to source someone to make up the seat that I would like. I am planning to visit someone tomorrow about this. There is also a little intermittent problem related to the wiring whereby the lights/horn stop working…so I will attempt to trace that in due course. And then that will be that. Another project is being considered along different lines, perhaps a GPZ900R or 1100 Zephyr that might attempt to replicate the artworks that AC Sanctuary produce or maybe a late 80's early 90's icon such as a FZR1000, CBR600 or a 250 stroker if such a thing exists at reasonable money.
So all being well the next blog will be the last one with all the little paint jobs tidied up, a spit and polish and a lovely new seat.
Well done - been watching your blog as have had a V50 waiting in bits as next project for the last couple of years while life got in the way. Be great to see some nice pictures of the whole bike from the side or three quarters to get a sense of the overall look.
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