RICK’S FIXES
The Master of Mendfulness with tips and techniques for your bikes
The International West Kent Run should have happened this weekend, cancelled for the second year due to that other international event that’s disrupted our lives. Instead, the VMCC West Kent section put on an alternative. ‘NOT the West Kent Run’ was the usual trundle through the Garden of England with coffee and lunch stops – but without the usual turnout of continental visitors, the wellorganised camping weekend, the show, the gymkhana and the autojumble.
Only trouble was, the elements took up the joke and decided it would be ‘NOT the weather for the West Kent Run’ either. I’d entered – but already decided to bail out, even before awaking to rain lashing the window. Last week, X-rays revealed that not only has one screw in my shinbone broken, but the fracture hasn’t fully healed, which explains why walking is still pretty sore. I can accept pain if it’s part of healing, but this new discovery made me think twice about pushing my luck.
Instead, we jumped in the van to meet the run at the lunch stop. The venue was Hole Park near Cranbrook – a beautifully well-managed, familyowned stately home and estate where we enjoyed a tasty ploughman’s lunch and home-made cake – and provided sympathy for riders as they dripped in, wringing out their gloves. A total of 55 riders had started the event, but over half dropped out on the way – and few would blame them, looking at the photo above.
It looked like those who stayed the course would be rewarded when the sun broke through in full August glory. But it didn’t stay and I guess most people got soaked again on the way home; I was glad not to be one of them. Hopefully I will be next year – on the run, not getting soaked, that is!
‘WE PROVIDED SYMPATHY FOR RIDERS AS THEY DRIPPED IN, WRINGING OUT THEIR GLOVES
1
First dip the both ends of the pushrod in grease; this makes them stick to the tappet and rocker ends, reducing the likelihood of them jumping out during fitting. 2
The grease creates a surprising amount of suction; you can check the pushrod is properly located at the bottom by lifting it gently – you should feel it pulling on the tappet. 3
With the bottom ends fitted correctly in place, now turn the engine so that both pushrods are fully down and the two ends are level, ready for the rocker box. 4
Keep the box level and, with your thumbs, gently hold the rockers up. As you lower the box, you should feel them slip out of your grasp to settle evenly on the valve tips. 5
Finally, check the tappet clearances – they should all be similar. If one is way out, it’s probably not located – even if the valve still opens when the engine turns.