I've always been more into cars than anything else but not exclusively. It was about 50/50 bikes and cars when I was younger but even in later years there's always been a small capacity bike or two there in the background, (Various Bantams, a James, AJS, Mobylettes, etc) even if it was in pieces being refurbished. That is until last year when I sold my "Peanut tank" NSU Quickly and Mrs J started worrying about me falling off my bikes - she keeps telling me 73 year olds don't "bounce" and has asked me not to ride them any more. Now, with the sale of the NSU I don't currently have a bike - although I've heard of a Douglas Dragonfly! It's one I chased after a few years ago. It was all in pieces in boxes but at that time it seemed to be mostly all there. I gave up on it when someone offered "silly" money for it but a wee "birdy" has tweeted in my ear that the guy has lost interest - apparently he never even started on it - and now wants to sell. I'd probably better not though - anyway he paid a small fortune for it so won't be selling for anything near my sort of price. Then again I've heard very vague rumours of a Velocette LE (could it maybe be a Scott?) However maybe it is time I started behaving?
I also find old/vintage horticultural machinery interesting and there's always something of that nature lying around too - The latest project having been a Merry Tiller Major cultivator which I was given about 20 years ago as a non runner and finally got round to overhauling.
The engine had no spark and it's cooling shroud and carburettor removed - maybe someone was going to try to get the flywheel off to get at the points - yes, it's so old it has points type ignition! and it has it's governor spring missing although I've got it running with a "foreigner" in place:
This bodge consists of two springs to try to get some similarity to the expansion rate of the original. Pretty course, but it works - that's about all you can say for it though. I'm looking for a genuine replacement, Then it'll be finished. I've restored this one to use so no fancy paintwork. It's first job will be knocking my younger boy's back garden into shape when the builders have finished with his extension, prior to laying turf and setting out some borders - the garden looks like a WW1 battle field just now!
Just realized you can catch a tantalizing glimpse of my trailer in the background of the cultivator pictures. I've mentioned this trailer a few times in the past and I'm very proud of it. I built it from scratch in the late 80's/early 90's. Main chassis rails came from old bed irons - stronger and lighter than angle iron. However I realize I've never shown you all a picture of it - so here it is:
Now the Merry Tiller is finished I'm starting to get stuck into a 1950's Ransomes Minor Lawnmower I found in an abandoned warehouse and has been in my shed for many years:
It needs a new ignition coil to run
Original old stock is available but risky due to the lacquer on the windings degrading. New stock is expensive but there seem to be generic products, made cheaply in the far east, which can be adapted to fit. Dicisions to be made! However a bit of research is needed before I remove the flywheel because it's not keyed and if I put it back wrong it will upset the ignition timing. That could be fun!
Interestingly it takes a humoungously large 18mm vintage spark plug. Whoever had it before me has fitted a Ford Pinto plug into it but I'll have to look for the original - which I believe is available at a not too unreasonable price.
Also I also don't have a grass box for it. I think this one will be a full restoration with paint and lettering etc. However, at my rate of progress, I may never finish it. Still, Mrs J will be pleased as I can't fall off it when it's finished! Being accident prone though I'd better watch the fingers?
