February 2024

 

February 24.

I have experienced poor pickup on the LE so I ordered a set of new jets from Eurocarb, Dellorto. I changed the jets quite quickly and started up the engine and it seems a bit better but now I have to do a road test when it stops raining. 

After blowing fuses in refitting the rev counter on the Burton I ordered some on line, 40amp blade fuses and a variety pack with a range of 30amp to 3amp to keep my stock at a reasonable level. When I wire the van I am certain I will need about 20 fuses for the whole system. When I say things just happen to me, would you believe when I opened the envelope that the fuses cam in one dropped out and went inside a new 2CV crossbox that have just arrived. I searched for the fuse and found it in the outlet pipe of the exhaust. 

Being one of the 40amp fuses I needed to retrieve it. With and artists brush and some super sticky tape it was retrieved. Sigh of relief. Having been out to Asda I bought some picture frames one was for a shot of me riding over a high plain at some 15400 feet  near Pang on the Himalayan I took to the Top of the World.

Speaking of travel I have just completed reading the 520 page marathon by Dr Pat Garrod  called Bearback. It has taken me 8 months to start it and a further six months to read it. Other than Scientific documents where Doctor is a requisite requirement I think it is pretentious. To be honest I have worked with many in my career in the NHS  and I wonder how and why they qualified being taught to have the authority on knowing everything and get a bit upset when challenged. The book, to me, starts a bit like that but becomes more engaging the further you get into it. I am sorry to say if I wrote something covering an epic journey it would be that long and probably take even longer to read. I think the book is well worth reading with an insight into many Muslim countries we can no longer visit. Adversity makes the story and I congratulate Pat on managing to record this life changing journey.

I did visit the London Motorcycle show at the Excel with my brother, Adrian to see what was new. We both have an interest in lighter weight bikes like the new Triumph 400 single and Kawasaki 500 twin. Both are A2 compliant but I don’t want a restricted model. I’m remapping and removal of the rev limiter would be a transformation. With modern 250’s with 40 BHP on tap what could you get from a 500?

This months’ 2CVGB news  has now a Facebook page in the form of 2CVGB official that I have signed up for. In doing so I receive a nice photo of my El Cid from years back. I guess from about 2007. I also need to complete my introduction to the page for those who do not know me.

It is MOT time for the Buell and I chose Thursday 22^nd March. That day was the wettest I can remember. Setting off in light rain it became heavier and heavier as I progressed to West London Triumph in East Byfleet. It was a wall of water going and returning. My new Oxford Touring suit (bought at the bike show in 2020 just before lockdown) held up well with only ingress of water at the cuffs and around the neck. This was the first time being out in such heavy rain. I was very pleased to remain so dry. Unfortunately the weather and front brake failed me on the day so there will be a retest soon when everything has dried out.