April Plus 2024

 

April Plus 2024

Some days things just don’t go right. It has been raining and I put off my visit to Snobbs for another day and this is my second attempt art writing April Plus the first one disappeared off the screen amid a full flow of writing inspiration. I have looked in temporary files and the directions given on the internet does not match mine. Today, technology is not my friend. That said it has been an interesting time with visits to Whitchurch to see Coops on the Buell and Kawasaki to help the progress of the El Cid hood. The most recent visit saw much progress with the project and I will be going again next week.

The visit last week on the Buell gave me a great ride out and almost all the way back. A few miles from home there was a tinny rattle which was annoying but didn’t sound serious. Arriving I noticed the side stand was at a funny angle. I kicked the stand down to rest the bike on it and let it down gingerly. The stand did not hold and I struggled to bring the bike upright. Not wanting to be pinned against the hire car. Worse still if I had damaged the bike or the car seriously dent the No Claims Discount. Taking a moment to breath I wanted to Alert Gita to help me. Beeping the horn didn’t work. I paddled the bike towards the front door and with some effort I was able to ring the door bell. With her help I was able to rest the bike on the handle bar end safely. In the manoeuvring the side stand leg fell off completely. I had the original refurbished one in the garage and set about finding it and fitting it. By this time it was dark and I was hungry. I found the stand and could only use ordinary spanners to get the bolts. There were three and the heads were not very big. I tried one and the spanner slipped. I would need sockets to get to them having to remove the silencer for access. A job for tomorrow. The bike was outside still and not safe to be left. A solution was needed. I had some 20mm dowel long enough to hold the bike away from a wall blocks of wood to chock and support. With Gita’s help we got the bike into the garage and a safer position. 

In spite of my trepidations it was still like that in the morning. That is when I worked on the side stand. Welding it back together. It was not a good fix as I was running out of gas and the oxy-acetylene flame was not right. The weld soon broke. I fitted the original leg instead. The Buell was now movable and I wheeled it out of the garage to fit the side stand spring. Something not easy to do wedged between the bike and garage wall. This was when I phoned Snobbs about the silencer strap that had broken again. The weather forecast was for rain but set off anyway using Public Transport to get me to and from. Early morning I dropped the Buell off and picked it up at the end of the afternoon. Great service, the same I could not say for the bus service. Having dropped the bike off I got the tube from Hangar Lane to Greenford to, catch the E6 bus home. The service had been suspended from Greenford Broadway for work on HS2. Why? Two other buses that take exactly the same route were still in operation stopping at the same stops. I had to catch one of these. I did the same going back. I did a lot of walking in motorcycle boots that day.

Sunday was a fun day out travelling to Walsall for Gita to perform a dance with a band at an Indian Cultural Festival. I have been to Assamese ones and they have the same format. Some snacks then local artists performing dances and singing including children and the event is completed by the professional band and a meal usually quite late to finish off. All in all it was well organised but did suffer from scheduling glitches and keeping to the program. 

I know the time it takes and this program ran on IST that is Indian Standard Time in the northeast there is AST in Assam there is something similar but best known as Assamese Some Time that I know well. In all it was a very enjoyable experience with great food and topped off  with a cracking performance by Gita. I think she will be doing it again.

April 2024

 

April 2024

 

I have just written something about “What if” about moving to a barn as the start of a plan in freedom of thought about what could be possible but now I’m writing about what has happened since the beginning of April to keep you up-to-date on developments and disasters unfolding in my daily life. In the last episode the Buell went back to the shop for exhaust system repair. Another expensive job but successfully completed in time for another trip to Whitchurch to see Coops and help the new hood for the El Cid along to another stage. The rear window has been installed and it is now a complete structure.

A new car and there is something weird happening to the display screen. I had a Hospital appointment and was going to go with Gita but there was a fault with the steering and the engine would not start. I went on the Buell instead. We had recently bought a small vacuum cleaner and that stopped working too. 

The fence at the front of the house had gone green over the winter and was a stark contrast with the blue tarpaulin covering the junk at the front. It was opportune that Lidl had a planter on offer, I had a trellis and suitable wood for posts I only had to buy the feather board to complete the project. It took a few days to clean and paint the fence to change it from green to brown and tidy up the front. With the elevated trough the legs were strong enough to screw the trellis to and posts to support the sides. A box from posts, trough linked by trellis was the basic structure and then hid by feather board to make a robust structure attached to the original fence. After painting it I could hide the blue tarpaulin and the junk. The trough has yet to be filled with flowers.

I contacted Russell Hobbs about the vacuum cleaner and they replaced it after much tooing and froing with emails and trying to send a video by email. I can do it on Whatsapp but not Gmail. Why? They are the same people. In the end they sent me a replacement cleaner. Dispose of the old one please. It was two weeks old. I could salvage things from it like filters, battery and head with the rotating brush. It could last for years. I started to strip it removing the motor I found a lose wire at the back of the motor. It was a dry joint on the earth. Joint suitably soldered the motor worked and now I have two vacuum cleaners.

An easy repair was not possible with the Aircross and with the aid of Citroen Connect the RAC was called and the fault not fixed so it would be taken to the nearest Citroen dealer for repair. That was not possible as the nearest one could not take the car until June. Fortunately the dealership we had bought from could accept it in a few days so it went there. We now have a hire car. The El Cid is being worked on, the Burton needs a new clutch. The Kawasaki  and Buell have been repaired and all is well with my world.

March Plus 2024

                                                    March Plus 2024

This is my second posting for March and I have to be inventive with the names but still remain sequential in reporting. I am reducing my viewing of news as it is so bad and the world is standing by watching a terrible disaster unfold and nothing has been achieved in stopping it. It will not stop until the USA and UK stop the arms and funding. The Muslim Brotherhood is just guilty of inaction.

Talking about brotherly love there was a quick trip to Bristol to see Adrian and Barry and managed to buy some free range eggs at a farm in the countryside. As you can imagine the best way to transport them is in a 2CV. There was a visit to the Museum in the Park in Stroud and a good inspection of the Baughan two wheel drive sidecar outfit. On that trip we walked along Sharpness Canal and saw a Great Escape.

The last weekend I spent my time visiting Coops who is creating a masterpiece in acrylic canvas for me. The El Cid will have a new hood with clear side screens so I can see through them. I will devote a whole posting to that but the fun of the travelling has to be mentioned. Saturday in the C3 was fun but marred by the 9 inch display screen playing up. This was all to do with my phone or more specifically the car software demanding to connect to it. Citroen apps and Android apps. It was all too annoying with the screen switching from whatever I chose back to the Apps screen and connect. I was in the middle of sorting my navigation destination and before I could complete three letters the screen would flick to the apps screen. I would lose what I had just put in and have to start again. I did this several times until  I thought I had one only to be outdone by a spelling mistake that I could not rectify. I found that the climate control screen was not interrupted but did not help my navigation . I could not hear the instructions because the radio volume was too high. When I turned the volume down I could not hear the navigation instructions. And I did take a wrong turn because of that. With an on-line manual and a phone where the print is too small to read how can anyone assimilate the instructions from the manual other than printing 200 pages on your own printer. Admittedly you probably only need ten pages but which ten? Almost ready for a Basil Faulty moment? 

Great work by Coops though and I went down again on the Sunday. This time on the Kawasaki. Great fun but I did have the exhaust split just before the silencer box a few miles short of Whitchurch. I had to come home with a somewhat noisey motorcycle. The fun of riding a motorcycle for a fifty mile run cannot be over stated. Lots of smiles there. I have spent most of this week waiting for new header pipes to assemble the exhaust system. Fighting with BT over lack of internet. Mainly cause I can’t watch motorcycle racing.

Good Friday was a good Friday. Internet, phone and Sport channels have been restored, Kawasaki has new header pipes and no leaks and the Buell is ready for collection

March 2024

 

March 2024

After having my rant in last months’ comment the ULEZ team has rescinded  the PCN for my brother and it has been paid in the planned way on my account. Every other thing is not going to plan. Our Government is failing us at every turn and making things more difficult for the man in the street. I don’t believe any politicians have any truth in them and we are not told the truth at any level. One thing is for sure is that their actions are making the situation worse. It would be nice to have something positive.

I have been checking over the Valiant for the up-coming London Classic bike show on 11^th May. From last year I discovered sideways play in the rear pivot fork of over 1.5mm over 60 thou with my feeler gauges. My diagnosis of frame spread matches with putting spacers between the pivot fork mountings and the frame plate has removed the play and should improve the handling until the frame spreads again. Another 60 years. The job took quite some time mainly the hand crafting of the plates in stainless was hard work. That was about three hours. I think I have worn out my best file. Test ride between rain storms will happen soon along with one on the LE. Also on the Valiant I went to start it and when I pulled on the left petrol tap it was rather wet. The resultant leak has damaged the paint immediately below it on the left engine cover that will need to be repaired. I had a new tap insert tucked away in a drawer but it had a damaged cork. I drained the tank, removed the tap replaced the insert with a new cork and now it doesn’t leak. That took about an hour.

The Buell is in for sorting out and hopefully I will get it back before the end on the month fully sorted. I have been looking at the Kawasaki to fitting saddle bags with some sort of frame or throw-overs. I will have to be imaginative. After the last trip out in the Burton to Whitchurch there was on one occasion some clutch slip and after having the problem of changing free play it will be another job to do. A new clutch. The El Cid is still work in progress but an end date is on the horizon. It has been a challenging project encompassing some new ideas.

Gita’s Toyota is gone and we have a new car, a Citroen C3 Aircross that needs a tow bar fitted. The C3 is a very differ animal with a fierce clutch and even fiercer brakes. It is taking some getting used to. A similar difference between 2CV brakes and the early BXs. I had a B reg with a cylindrical speedo and digital bar rev counter and rocker switch indicators.  The second one  G reg was a reps car sanitised with stalk switch gear and , in comparison, heavy footed brakes. No great loss as it was written off by a tree in the gales of 99.

The van is not forgotten but I do have to get some suspension cans and a GSA 5 speed gearbox differential soon. 

February 2024 Comment

 

February 2024 Comment

Today I am not best pleased. I have an account with TFL to autopay ULEZ and Congestion charges just in case I stray unknowingly. I added my brothers’ car to my list thinking all would be well when he visited. Such was not the case receiving some 2 PCN notices for the incoming trip and outgoing. I have challenged this on both accounts. I, of course, checked  that his car was on my account. When I checked yesterday it was there but today it wasn’t.

I have had another problem that each time I log in my password is not recognised and I have had to reset it. Four times this week! It seems that not only does it forget my password it conveniently forgets what has happened previously. I’m sure I am not the only one being persecuted by this but there is no one to talk to about it.

These problems are a drop in the ocean compared to the plight of the Palestinians. I am horrified by the continued barbarism of the Israeli army but more worrying is what is the on-looking world doing about it? It seems still just looking. Only a few terrorist groups are challenging the situation. Who is calling who terrorists? What is the remaining Arab world also doing? I cannot believe our media coverage is so biased toward Israel and what they broadcast is what they are told to. I see no freedom of speech and anything that comes from the mouths of our politicians is not believable either. Suppression of our right to protest is clearly the government trying to stop anyone challenging them on their decisions and supporting Israel. I see this as a force to control the masses to a point of impunity. I see on every western news media the influences of Israel controlling the narrative. I, as an individual, have no action other than to protest. I will be there with the Palestinian protestors. This unruly mob that threatens the fabric of society and must be stopped! What utter rubbish is being fed to us? It is a Wednesday and time to put out the rubbish for collection tomorrow. If only I could do the same for the politicians and their rubbish. Is that too anti-Semitic? What is the definition of anti Semitic? Apparent there is none. I have been quietly advised that it is “Anything” that a Jew doesn’t like. Get real. Can I use religion, colour, political views, sex or cult for my views. Apparently not because I have not come from the promised land but the Palestinians have and are being persecuted for it. This situation will not end well for any of us. So much animosity will be released at some point. October 7^th 2023 is an example. I don’t want to know what is next but it will not be pleasant

February 2024

 

February 24.

I have experienced poor pickup on the LE so I ordered a set of new jets from Eurocarb, Dellorto. I changed the jets quite quickly and started up the engine and it seems a bit better but now I have to do a road test when it stops raining. 

After blowing fuses in refitting the rev counter on the Burton I ordered some on line, 40amp blade fuses and a variety pack with a range of 30amp to 3amp to keep my stock at a reasonable level. When I wire the van I am certain I will need about 20 fuses for the whole system. When I say things just happen to me, would you believe when I opened the envelope that the fuses cam in one dropped out and went inside a new 2CV crossbox that have just arrived. I searched for the fuse and found it in the outlet pipe of the exhaust. 

Being one of the 40amp fuses I needed to retrieve it. With and artists brush and some super sticky tape it was retrieved. Sigh of relief. Having been out to Asda I bought some picture frames one was for a shot of me riding over a high plain at some 15400 feet  near Pang on the Himalayan I took to the Top of the World.

Speaking of travel I have just completed reading the 520 page marathon by Dr Pat Garrod  called Bearback. It has taken me 8 months to start it and a further six months to read it. Other than Scientific documents where Doctor is a requisite requirement I think it is pretentious. To be honest I have worked with many in my career in the NHS  and I wonder how and why they qualified being taught to have the authority on knowing everything and get a bit upset when challenged. The book, to me, starts a bit like that but becomes more engaging the further you get into it. I am sorry to say if I wrote something covering an epic journey it would be that long and probably take even longer to read. I think the book is well worth reading with an insight into many Muslim countries we can no longer visit. Adversity makes the story and I congratulate Pat on managing to record this life changing journey.

I did visit the London Motorcycle show at the Excel with my brother, Adrian to see what was new. We both have an interest in lighter weight bikes like the new Triumph 400 single and Kawasaki 500 twin. Both are A2 compliant but I don’t want a restricted model. I’m remapping and removal of the rev limiter would be a transformation. With modern 250’s with 40 BHP on tap what could you get from a 500?

This months’ 2CVGB news  has now a Facebook page in the form of 2CVGB official that I have signed up for. In doing so I receive a nice photo of my El Cid from years back. I guess from about 2007. I also need to complete my introduction to the page for those who do not know me.

It is MOT time for the Buell and I chose Thursday 22^nd March. That day was the wettest I can remember. Setting off in light rain it became heavier and heavier as I progressed to West London Triumph in East Byfleet. It was a wall of water going and returning. My new Oxford Touring suit (bought at the bike show in 2020 just before lockdown) held up well with only ingress of water at the cuffs and around the neck. This was the first time being out in such heavy rain. I was very pleased to remain so dry. Unfortunately the weather and front brake failed me on the day so there will be a retest soon when everything has dried out.

January 2024 Comment.

 

Comment January 2024

 

I have watched too much tele over the past month. Much of it focussed on the plight of the Palestinians and how biased the media is against them. Where else in the world would workers be dismissed over an allegation without proof. I am referring to the 12 UNWRA workers sent packing because Israel is allowed to do and say what it likes. It is obvious that  their politicians justify their actions by transferring the guilt to their victims dehumanising them in their rhetoric and condoned by the USA and UK. By the way I don’t agree with what they are doing on my behalf. If only we could sack all our MPs because one was alleged to have done something wrong. Proof not necessary and withdraw funding to boot.  You may think I have been exaggerating but what is reported on main stream tele is a fraction of what is out there and we are fed details that are manipulated and controlled to give the bias our government wants to justify their actions. I am so annoyed that our Christian Society has not taken any action to prevent the murders taking place. What is happening is wrong at every level and I am powerless to put it right. Post World War 2 the trials that took place also accused people who should have done something did not were considered as culpable as the perpetrators.  I hope the future justice system has a memory even just to put our politicians on the spot. It is all a bit conspiracy theory but we, as the general public will be paying for this for years in one way or another. I would not suggest going to the middle east at the moment.

To escape the dreadful cold Gita and I escaped to Spain and Barcelona to enjoy the sun and see our daughter Neema during that time. I could still watch the spectacle on line. The plan was to do allot of walking and enjoy the sea air.

 If you have been to Barcelona  and contracted Gaudi-itis there is so much more there in museums, monuments, gardens and castles. We stayed in a four star hotel on the top floor with balcony that was big enough for a table and two chairs. Nice to sit in the sun even on a winter’s day enjoying a coffee or a beer relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the main street below. I did visit the bull ring which is no longer used for bull fighting but is still used for entertainment. Walks along the sea front beyond the “W” building. 

Also on the walks was the cactus garden in the grounds of the Miramar hotel. Quite spectacular. We were high enough at the Miramar to over look the city and take some photos of the spires of Barcelona Cathedral and Sagrada Familial. I was dragged along by my shopaholic and visited some very interesting shops that seemed to have a small motorcycle on display.

 Being away we had many meals out some at Neema’s flat but breakfast was at the hotel in our room. It was aided by having a kettle to boil water for tea and hot water bottles and a small fridge for milk, cheese, ham and beer.  Such luxury with fresh bread for breakfast to start the day. I gave it a five star rating.

Almost at the end of January we were back home as the temperature was going up enough for me to have a ride out on the LE and a Saturday trip to see Coops at Whitchurch in the Burton to see the progress on the new El Cid cover along with a replacement battery for the one that failed over the winter months. There will be more photos when it is ready.