Service STAR

Service Star for AA man Mike. I pressed the starter button on my Guzzi after the engine cut out at a junction (don't you love that?). Rrrr... rrr... r...r... click went the starter. Obviously a flat battery. No chance of a push start so I called Peter James' recovery, aka the AA. Not too long a wait (about 45min) before Mike arrived and quickly diagnosed a faulty starter motor. He took it apart and, after pouring water out, revealed a real mess including broken brush springs. How it had worked so well before I don't know.

Not to beaten, he cleaned it up and came up with a superb bodge in the form of a cable tie to secure the brushes. With the starter back in place it was back to a single press of the button to have the engine happily burbling away. He even followed me for the eleven miles it took to get home. A top man indeed.

Martin Peacock, member 453

Isn't it great when something actually confounds your expectations? I've been having difficulty getting the original, very rare and very worn Dell'orto RDF28 carb working properly on my Gilera Saturno Sport. A friend with a similar bike solved the problem by fitting a modern Amal 928 Concentric, which looks fairly 'period' (if not Italian) and apparently works really well.

I decided to get one. 'Easy!' I thought. I was wrong. Amal are moving to aluminium for the Concentric carb bodies, and it seems that due to production delays they will not be available until at least late August.

I looked on ebay and the only one I could find was in Memphis, Tennessee. It seemed a good price, less than the UK, and shipping was very reasonable. I assumed USPS would get it to me eventually, but might take a few weeks. I ordered it on Tuesday afternoon, and Fedex delivered it four days later! Amazing service, and no customs charges either. Step forward Niche Cycles: well done.

James Wiseman, member

I have a large collection of motorcycle magazines gathered over 50 years, acquired before my conversion to RC. Most of them are in binders. Recently, updating myself with some 30 year old reading, I noticed the binder's plastic fittings holding the retaining wires had succumbed to age, failing to secure the magazines. I toyed with the idea of making some replacements, but found details of Modern Bookbinders, albeit at an old address and with a pre 01 telephone number, in one of the binders.

An online search revealed the firm's current contacts and an email to them, enquiring about replacements, was immediately answered with the request to send a SAE. This was promptly returned with twice as many fittings as I had asked for, together with even the correct colour coded rivets. All gratis and for nought.

Thank you, especially to Warren at Modern Bookbinders.

Phil Rich, member

Yes indeed, Modem Bookbinders have produced RC'S smart navy-blue binders since our earliest days. They also offer bespoke, made-to order individual binders, slip covers and posh portfolios, should you have a precious collection of publications which you'd like to protect for posterity.

Rowena

A little while ago Frank mentioned an RC reader who was restoring the only velocette he had any real interest in, a viceroy scooter. I am that reader and, as part of the dismantling process of a very rusty bike, needed some small diameter drills to remove wheel nuts. I ordered from Tracy Tools of Devon and they arrived the next day. Over the years I have ordered many bits and pieces from Tracy's and the only time the order did not arrive the next day was because I had arranged to pick them up at Stafford. They have always given a superb service, including advice and suggestions when I have been a bit lost. I can't recommend them highly enough, they are invariably a pleasure to deal with.

Peter Occleston, member 6783

Thanks, Peter! Glad that you're getting along with the Best Velocette Ever (official), even though you declined my generous offer of £100 for it. Good luck! Frank W