L’il Donkey
This month Mick Payne brings us the first part of the recommissioning of a rather special outfit.
Barn find. The new description for something that is probably incomplete, rusty and a non-runner. Well, I’m ashamed to admit I own one myself. It isn’t really a barn find because I know where it has been for ages but I have certainly neglected it until it resembles something once lost to sight. Regular readers of this column will know of my Jawa and Velorex and its travels in 2015 on the Team Katy trip, five months and 5000 miles around Britain for charity. It was still used for some time after, but Kate’s worsening Alzheimer’s meant that it was no longer practical so a Motability car took its place.
Care and health got in the way and the poor old outfit sat in its dusty barn getting decidedly tatty. Some work was done and bits were powder coated, a new Grimeca master cylinder was fitted along with buttons for the floating disc.
One of the many highlights of the trip was a rideout to Lindisfarne, but sadly the causeway was still slightly under water. The salt water played havoc with the chrome and the black painted expansion chamber exhausts. These are a factory fitted (rare) option and far too uncommon to scrap because of thin metal and a few pinholes. Where I live in Wales, bike shops are few and far between but the farming community supports plenty of local tradesmen and finding a good welder was easy.
These are still awaiting paint, as is the swinging arm, but there are also a multitude of other things to address. Shortly after the trip I asked Kate if she would like the bike and chair resprayed and she was adamant that it was to be left, so that has relieved me of one big job. All its scars and worn paint were gained honourably over five months on the road. As I reach a not insignificant birthday this year I have decided to get my finger out. Wheel and steering bearings have been replaced; the carburettor has gone through my ultrasonic cleaner and is now spotless. The tired fork springs have been replaced and new, trial type, tyres fitted to the powder coated wheels and fresh brake shoes and pads will bring the handling and stopping up to par. At one point on our trip the front disc was glowing dull red on a long descent, so those old pads needed replacement.
As the lanes around where I live are narrow and winding I decided to fit a dipping light to the sidecar. I had already fitted an LED pilot light on the Jawa and that improved it hugely so I have gone for the same option in the Mini Bates light for the sidecar. As I’m now running two headlights, I’ve opted for LED replacements for the H4 halogen bulbs. Although these were advertised as a direct replacement they proved to need a bit more room; room that doesn’t exist in the Bates. The solution was to ditch the standard type bulb plug and fit individual flag type terminals to the three wires. I always use noninsulated terminals and crimp them with the correct tool; these have separate insulating covers to keep everything safe.
I’ve given myself a deadline as I intend to go to the Llandovery Bike Weekend on it and take a friend and her dog for their first sidecar ride. This takes place in July, just before said significant birthday. (Okay, I’ll be 70!) I’ve got quite a bit of work to do and want to whip the heads off to check all is well and there’s a bit of furry alloy to address. I’m sure the Czech alloy is of a good enough quality to polish back up. I’ll conclude this piece next month when I should be able to report on a running outfit. I hope!