Veteran Maintenance

The last time I used my 1913 TT Ariel was the Slievenamon Rally in Ireland in 2008. On the way back to Rosslare we thrashed the bikes down the main road from Wexford after one or two drinks, and my bike got very very hot and lost power. So I thought I'd best take the top end off and have a look before I use it again. Just as well I did.

This is the piston:-

Its a big cast iron lump with a solid floating gudgeon pin. It should have small brass pads on the end of the gudgeon pit to prevent the barrel being scored. Mine had two very small blobs of melted brass. Fortunately there is only very minor scoring on the barrel. Very lucky indeed.

The piston with new pads:-

Just need to put it back together now for the MOT.