BARREL DELIVERY - AT LAST

Tuesday 14th December 2010

Two weeks ago I tried to deliver the barrel to Scooter Surgery.  I had decided that I would phone Patrick as I was about to set out in order to ensure he was there, I didn't want a wasted journey.  When I got no reply I had to abandon my trip which was a bit disappointing as I wanted to keep tings moving.

Not wanting to have a repeat situation of last week I phoned Patrick  to ensure he would be around.  Yes, he would be there and he couldn't understand why I couldn't get a reply to my previous call.

I set off just after 0930hrs arriving  an hour and a half later.  My hope that everyone would be at work at this time proved unfounded.  Perhaps it's just that London never sleeps and everyone has somewhere important to go to, it felt like that.  True to his word Patrick was behind his counter.  He gave me the impression that he had either not been there long or he had been contemplating starting work for some time.  I was eager to see what he thought of the barrel and head and he didn't hesitate to open the box.  
I waited whilst he examined the head without comment, he then turned his attention to the barrel.  After a careful examination he pronounced that it was a good example and he could do something with it. What a relief and despite my feelings that it was a good barrel it was nice to hear it from the master.  With that over I accepted his kind offer of a cup of coffee, I could relax now.  I think my apprehension stemmed form the fact that I didn't want to start searching for a replacement after having taken so long (five weeks) to finally get this sample to him.

We eventually walked down to the workshop where I stood and watched Patrick remove about eight scooters from the unit before he could show me my engine.  

 
It was only the crankcase casing fitted with the new crank and con rod the rest of the bits were in a box at the back of the bench. The removal of the mag case casting had been a real pain and in the end Patrick had had to destroy the old (and knackered) crank shaft in order to use it to help push the casing out from the inside.  There is a puller for this job but it only attaches with three M5 screws, OK for a new assembly but not for one that not been removed for many years.   Apparently the kick start casting was away having a new bush made for it and there was some doubt that it may need some welding in order to retain one of the bushes because of a small crack.  A decision has yet to be made.  

Now that the casting is cleaned the pitting to the area behind the engine mount is more noticeable.  There's not a lot I could do about it as it would require the removal of too much metal to get to a good surface. I just have to accept that is how a neglected engine looks after fifty four years.  I think if I had a choice I would like to  have had the castings polished just to make them look more spectacular.  Thinking further, is that really me?  Think of all the maintenance.  I'm not really sure what I intend to do with the scooter once I have got my MOT.  I certainly wont show it and I'm not too sure how far I will ride it.  If I want Concourse I will have to start again and use my experience gained on selecting the next bike.  Why am I thinking like this when I still have so much to do on this example? 
Patrick told me he was working on three other LD engine units, each in various stages of build.  On the bench next to mine was an earlier version which was painted silver, apparently this is how they were.  I really don't know how Patrick works like this with so many engines and scooters in bits, there are so many bits in boxes and on shelves that if Patrick left no one would ever know what belonged to what.


Back in the shop I mentioned that I was concerned about the build of the front suspension, there appeared to be a lot of slack  and the stiffness didn't seem to be the same on each side.  Patrick said he knew exactly what I would need to correct that and commenced to pick items from his spares bins.  I ended up with a set of bushes and seals together with a pair of bump stops.  Patrick said that he would recommend a set of stiffer springs which would make the ride much better.  Off we went back to the workshop where he sorted me out a pair which he had use on one of his scooters.  He found me an end plug which he explained how to modify so that I could use it to compress the heavier spring to enable me to reassemble the suspension.  I had previously mentioned that I had built the TF and this apparently was sufficient for him to let me into the secrets of fitting the heavier springs.  He said he wouldn't suggest that everyone attempt this modification as the wouldn't have the skills necessary.  No pressure then.

£40 of front suspension refurb bits

During my stay no other customers came and he only had one telephone call from a friend who wanted him to arrange Burlesque dance lessons.  Patrick explained that wouldn't do classes because there was so much involved in the dance and classes usually consisted of overweight house wives who just wanted to strip.  He said that we was working with a group of dancers in an advisory capacity, someone else had selected the dancers and was responsible for the group.  To my surprise Patrick explained that he was a trained ballet dancer and his love for scooters had started at the age of twelve when his interest in mechanical engineering developed.  Apparently he also has a Mk11 Jaguar on which he has done extensive work.  It's amazing what you find out about people and how life twists and turns for us all.  Perhaps it's never too late to make a direction change.

We said our final good byes two hours later and I left with a bag of bits and forty pound hole in my wallet.  It had been a very useful and educational visit if a little more expensive than I had anticipated.  I think I will have to keep an eye on things when I buy parts and ensure they are specified and costed, an open order could turn out to be a bit of a shock.  
As I left I showed Patrick my carburetor that I had brought with me for his comments.  He said it looked OK  adding that it would be best to remember to turn of the petrol tap if I didn't want a petrol leak.  Apparently the float shuts off the fuel using a tapered pin which fits into a brass seat in the float chamber cover.  This wears and leaks, it can be replaced but would be expensive.  Turning the tap off sounds like a practical solution. I was pleased to hear Patrick say that he would use my carburetor to run the engine.  He had mentioned setting up the engine but never actually said he would run it.  How great to have the engine unit returned fully tested, one less thing to worry about (must remember this when I come to pay the final bill)  He accepted my offer to send him my inlet manifold so the engine would be run using my complete fuel system. 


A good run home.  Looking forward to having a go at the front suspension.  I think I may have to wait until it warms up a bit before starting the task.