At one time, all motorcycles came with a comprehensive toolkit and a manual which explained how to service your own bike, replace brake shoes, change the oil and even rebuild the gearbox in some cases. Nowadays there is no tool box, brief instructions on how to check the oil…and a warning not to drink it! […]
New Rims and Spokes for the Matchless G3...
Sixteen years ago, the initial restoration on my 1953 Matchless G3LS was completed. The two rims fitted were manufactured by Central Wheel Components (CWC)…I’m hoping they have improved since then, as the chrome finish was very thin. I noticed this when it started peeling off in places! When I got my Matchless G12 in the […]
UMIST Powered Prototyping Board
Back in the mists of time, I spent a while at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology…1980 so no mobile phones back then. No internet, social media or even fax machines. Decent computers were housed in large air conditioned rooms and had a team of dedicated staff to provide the tender loving […]
Lucas Ammeter Wobble on G3LS
I had a very pleasurable ride to Bellingham for a cup of tea and a piece of lemon cake on Monday…the first of August in 2022 in case you’re reading this at some future time. My ‘Bellingham‘ is in England’s most beautiful county – Northumberland. There’s a most pleasant road running from Acomb up through […]
HD720P WiFi Endoscope – No Picture
I bought one of these gizmos a couple of years or so ago. The intention was to use it for seeing in places eyes and torches can’t reach. You realised I meant inside engine cylinders and gearboxes, and in corners of electrical equipment I couldn’t see, didn’t you? I’m sure it could be used for […]
Real Classics Magazine Digital Copy
If you are interested in the riding, running and rebuilding real classic motorcycles, then this magazine is possibly one to consider…but read this first, as I believe their website is misleading. Personally I wouldn’t bother with their ‘Digital Copy’ offering on the magazine’s website. Why?… because it’s no such thing! What you end up with […]
Small Steps
After the fairly long ‘fixathon’, I took my G3LS out for a short ride…after checking oil flow as always. Beforehand, some of the petrol drained from the tank before Christmas was returned to the tank and the tyres were inflated to the correct pressure. I had already filled the primary chaincase with oil to the […]
Replacement Rubbers and Plastic Trim
The existing footrest and kickstart rubbers have been on the bike for at least fifteen years. They split fairly early on and have been held on with tie wraps. Now most of the other jobs are done, I thought it was time to replace them. I put an order in with Steve Surbey at AMC […]