Rob, A motorcycle nut, huh? Back in the day (my late teens; early 20s -- I'm now 66) I stuck with Japanese bikes. I had everything from a Honda 50 cc up to a Honda 450 cc twin. They never went into the shop. I had metric tools and did everything from oil changes to replacement of piston rings and "top end" work. There were a bunch of guys in my hometown and we would go on weekend rides. A lot of fun. I lost interest later in life and sold my Honda 450. I did a brief stint as a mechanic at a motorcycle shop in the mid 1970s and got to ride a Honda 750cc 4-cyclinder. Really a sweet bike! Thanks for sharing. Have a good one! Dave
Thanks Rob. Actually I've got a BSA 67 Thunderbolt to restore as well. They are OK if you convert the cranks to end oil feed. One of your countrymen has built an 850 one with a 90° crank and its putting out 77 bhp!!!
Luke Albanese Wow, that's a lot. BSA did make some nice fast singles, the Gold Star is excellent. The South Oz cops used to run BSA twins back in the sixties. The front wheel used to jazz around when they sat at idle. Things you remember. Cheers Rob
Ah preparing for Summer after a long winter. I do it here in Upstate NY every year. It is a great time to tune things up and dream of warmer weather. We are in the middle of summer here and enjoying ever second. Good luck with the tune up...
Rhubarb Crumble I will see how difficult it is to shoot it. The top fairing section makes it awkward to get to. The lower section is off in the video. There are probably other videos on YT, but I will see what I can do. I forgot to mention that I've had to service the dry clutch slave cylinder, and the carbs, and replace a few bits. Also needs a new front tire and a good clean. I tend not to worry about a bit of engine grime. My bikes are for go, not show :) Cheers Rob
midgoog2 Oh yes, I remember "test run". That's where a man in blue says"good morning sir, you were going a little bit fast back there, don't you think ?". DOH! After which you play 'guess your speed' for a little while to amuse the officer, a competition you are never going to win. However you are rewarded with a piece of paper which says you now owe the govt a goodly sum of money, for no apparent reason. Yep, I've heard all about this happening to other people. Rob
one4stevo Yes, depending on what is done. Trouble is you can't get some of it serviced by a shop which doesn't have the factory diagnostic gear - so Ducati dealers have you by the short and curlies. Older pre emmission Ducks like mine don't have these issues. You can wrench them yourself. Rob
Rob,
A motorcycle nut, huh? Back in the day (my late teens; early 20s -- I'm now 66) I stuck with Japanese bikes. I had everything from a Honda 50 cc up to a Honda 450 cc twin. They never went into the shop. I had metric tools and did everything from oil changes to replacement of piston rings and "top end" work. There were a bunch of guys in my hometown and we would go on weekend rides. A lot of fun. I lost interest later in life and sold my Honda 450. I did a brief stint as a mechanic at a motorcycle shop in the mid 1970s and got to ride a Honda 750cc 4-cyclinder. Really a sweet bike! Thanks for sharing.
Have a good one!
Dave
Love it. I've got to get my Commando back on the road but I love Dukes too!!
Luke Albanese Do it. Yes, Nortons and Triumphs were great pommy bikes. BSA not so much :) Cheers Rob
Thanks Rob. Actually I've got a BSA 67 Thunderbolt to restore as well. They are OK if you convert the cranks to end oil feed. One of your countrymen has built an 850 one with a 90° crank and its putting out 77 bhp!!!
Luke Albanese Wow, that's a lot. BSA did make some nice fast singles, the Gold Star is excellent. The South Oz cops used to run BSA twins back in the sixties. The front wheel used to jazz around when they sat at idle. Things you remember. Cheers Rob
Ah preparing for Summer after a long winter. I do it here in Upstate NY every year. It is a great time to tune things up and dream of warmer weather. We are in the middle of summer here and enjoying ever second. Good luck with the tune up...
Fred Miller Half your luck Fred.
Would be interesting to see the belt change
and any other work on the bike
Rhubarb Crumble I will see how difficult it is to shoot it. The top fairing section makes it awkward to get to. The lower section is off in the video. There are probably other videos on YT, but I will see what I can do. I forgot to mention that I've had to service the dry clutch slave cylinder, and the carbs, and replace a few bits. Also needs a new front tire and a good clean. I tend not to worry about a bit of engine grime. My bikes are for go, not show :) Cheers Rob
Nice bike Rob. Look forward to hearing it run.
Colin ;-)
Hi Rob,
Any chance of a test run Clarendon to Ashbourne when you've finished the wrench work?
Cheers Eric
midgoog2 Oh yes, I remember "test run". That's where a man in blue says"good morning sir, you were going a little bit fast back there, don't you think ?". DOH! After which you play 'guess your speed' for a little while to amuse the officer, a competition you are never going to win. However you are rewarded with a piece of paper which says you now owe the govt a goodly sum of money, for no apparent reason. Yep, I've heard all about this happening to other people. Rob
Is that where the battery really is ?
12345NoNamesLeft Yes, that's where they put it. No other space available. Rob.
Been told the modern day Ducati service can cost ya over 2 grand.. Bugger that i rather buy a new lathe, and run around on a old pushy instead. lol
one4stevo Yes, depending on what is done. Trouble is you can't get some of it serviced by a shop which doesn't have the factory diagnostic gear - so Ducati dealers have you by the short and curlies. Older pre emmission Ducks like mine don't have these issues. You can wrench them yourself. Rob