1920 Ariel

Had a shed load of work done on my 1920 Ariel White and Poppe engine. the casings were shot undeneath so I've had them welded up (no mean feat on 90 year old ally), and while Chris was at it, new big end (needle roller instead of the standard bronze cos that was shagged), new main bearing and timing side bush (also shagged), and because of the new big end we needed to change the conrod and piston, and also bored and sleeved the old barrel to suit.

Big thanks to Chris O for his patience and expertise. Spose I'd better get on with the chassis parts now.

Bovver Boots

Joy Division 1979

I can remember watching this clip round a mates house around Christmas 1979. Had a huge influence on us then, and probably still does now.

Enjoy.

Stuff n Stuff

Been up to this and that over the last few months but generally can't be arsed to blog it, so heres a kinda summary:-

Went to the Crazy Horse Rally in January - cracking weekend in the Forest of Dean and thankfully not ferkin freezing this time (unlike the following weekend). The Velo packed and ready to go:-

It did its usual refusal to start routine, but we got it going. Seems a bit down on power too - need to check the timing.

I've been making fork links for my 1920 Ariel. I have the headstock parts and the girders, but no links.
Marked out and holes drilled - starting to chain drill each link out (cutting 1/4" steel plate would take forever):-

Progress so far:-

Went to the Telford Offroad Show with Heath - loads and loads of cracking trials irons to be seen, including a rare display of desirable Ariels (couple of VCH's and an HT5):-

There was also some nice ex-works racers:-

Did some of the skateboard in Cretesham, MSN and the Doomramp:-

Even went to Porthcawl and did a surfboard on my new Roger Cooper mini mal (which was feckin brilliant and made all the difference):-

I went to the VMCC autojumble at Shepton Mallett with Huw and Dave where there were a few more nice trials irons and a sweet Sunbeam project:-

And in more recent news, I've booked a trip to Ireland in August on the 1930 Ariel, so I need to find out why its using so much oil. I whipped the barrel of today to see what the piston looks like. As suspected its a two compression ring piston (no oil scraper):-

And its got chunky munkee 1/8" rings

Changing one of these for a scraper ring should reduce oil consumption significantly.

This bike has a blind barrel (head and barrel in one):-

Oddly enough the piston already had oilway drillings - I think someone has been here before me...

The engine parts on this bike are all chunky - 1" gudgeon pin showing end pads (no circlips on this bike):-

Need to get the old girl back together and some miles done before Ireland.

Progression

So I'm 46. Been skating about 4 years. Can skoot about a bit, the odd axle stall and stuff. But theres a couple of things I want/need to learn:-

1. Frontside kick turns. Yeah, I know - basics. But I've never bothered to relearn them since I started skating again and now I'm finding that backside everything is limiting. I can frontside carve after a fashion but I don't have a `get-outta-jail' frontside kickturn.

2. Ollies. Probably going to be the hardest thing ever to learn. I kinda know how to do them, but knowing and doing are two different things. There were no ollies when I was a kid. Any tips/advice appreciated.

I'll report back from A&E as I progress...

Stick

Black

The 54 Velo was looking shabby round the arse end. Too many winters and not enough oil leaks (no, really). So before this years winter activities I thought that it needed a spruce up (meaning a liberal covering in black Smoothrite).

The back end now looking a lot tidier:-

Rear wheel also saw the lick of the paint brush:-

And most of the rear carrier has been painted:-

Chainguard bracket has been welded back on (more weld than parent metal but I do love welding and grinding):-

Box of bits to be refitted:-

Things to be painted:-

Black - the colour a motorcycle should be.