CONFESSION/PROJECT/FITTING
Paul fails to open his vent, Mark fabricates, John ensures a snug fit.
Both my grand father and father built railway trains for many years at the GWR works in Swindon. So why am I such a mechanical moron? I use Youtube to change a light bulb and my toolkit remains pristine and undeployed.
My 1972 Carnielli Motograziella Cheeky Boy has never run right, spluttering to a standstill after 20 minutes of adrenaline pumping action. Instinct told me to get a pro to find the fault and editor Wilson sent me to Benjy of Straw Auto Moto Electrico, Tonbridge (07771 554570 or straw.benjy@btinternet.com). A van collected the bike and, I waited with fingers crossed for the diagnosis. ‘You open the fuel cap vent to let air into the tank when the engine is running, right?’ asked Benjy who hadn’t even fired it up when he rang me. ‘Pardon?’ said I, knowing years of piss taking would commence if this turned out to be the problem, and the solution. Carnielli’s boffins didn’t want petrol pouring all over the place when the Cheeky Boy is stored upright, so they added a valve to the fuel filler to keep petrol where it should be when closed – but ride with it shut and the bike will die… after
20 minutes. Who knew? Certainly not me.
I shouldn’t be allowed near oily things.