Yes Virginia, there is Christmas in August

Not only did Bodger have a three day weekend which was really nice though it was still Africa hot, a few things arrived for him in the post....a couple of books to further get edjumicated on British hacks, er, bikes and one of the rarest things out there....no....not an honest politician....a side cover for Vicky.

But not just any side cover, an actual metal one. Thought that it may be fiberglass, but nope, it's metal a little grotty looking but another bit to practice the spraying skills on.

Also, got something in the mail from Hairy Larry for services rendered.......parts sales not what you're thinking you! Cheers, now Bodger can eat lunch or have a beer...:)

A grand day out

After the nonsense Bodger has had to put up with at the salt mines this past fortnight, a three, yes three, day weekend was made use of.

Yesterday (Friday) was spent having a wee drive out into the Texas Hill Country to one of Bodgers favorite places, The Lone Star Motorcycle Museum in Vanderpool.

It's been mentioned in a previous post or two. It's smallish with only about 60-80 bikes in there and mainly British. Granted it's not up to the same level as the NMM in Brum, but whereas the bikes in NMM are cordoned off, here you can actually walk amongst them.

Anywho.....it had been a while since being there last so thought it a good idea to pay a visit and to unwind. Got there and saw Allan the owner and caught up on doings with him.

He's in the process of restoring a 57 (I think he said) Triumph Thunderbird. Had the chrome plating done in San Antonio, the painting he's done himself in a very nice metallic blue and so far from what I've seen, it's looking really nice and will look brilliant when finally done.

Had a nose around and took a couple of pics mainly of the Rocket 3 that is something I drool over everytime I see one. Also a couple of a Commando with a Combat motor.

I was fixing to leave when outside in the parking area something caught my eye....this

Kawa  knows more about these than I do, but from the looks of it it's of Russian build vs Chinese. I am sure that it's not from Mona's Isle though judging by the three-legged Triskilion (sorry about the butchered spelling). Another clue was that the rear license plate showed it being from New Mexico.

And while I was looking this beast over, another bike shows up, one I had passed on the road a bit earlier. It parks up and I chat with the oowner who towers over me and I'm 5'10".

He rolls up on a bike that he's going to use in the upcoming British Singles Run that Allan has every year in October. Once either Amelia or Vicky are roadworthy, I'll take part in that as well.

Anyway, the bike that came rolling in was a BSA 500 Gold Star and for some reason the pics did not appear on the memory card of the camera.....botheration!!!!!!!!

I had a look at the engine number and am pretty certain it was a DBD34, but with the glare from the sun it was hard to see.

Take Bodgers word for it, it was beautiful

Facebook

Not really to do much with motorcycles I know......but yesterday, I found an old friend on Faceache, haven't seen in 27 years.

At first there were a couple of postings, one of which is if I still had my Commando.....answer, sadly, was no, it's long gone.

Then after swapping info he gives a call and we have a blether for about an hour.

Used to think that Faceache was pretty much a waste of time, but then found that you can get connected with like minded blokes and bloke=esses and thru the poower of the 'net, become "friends" with some of the big names in the motorcycling world....won't be a name dropper here.

So, I guess this "social networking" stuff isn't too bad then.

Forks revisited...with pics finally

Due to the memory card for the camera being "locked" and not being able to take pics for some idiotic reason, it occurred to me that I had another memory card for the camera................but where!!!!!!!!

Found it!!!!!!!!!!!!! In one the file cabinets that's used for storage of files (naturally), the most important tea supplies, equipment like the battery charger and other things

So, here's a few pics of the forks at this point in time:

                                                    Gaiters and two "persuaders"

                                                                        Springs

Stanchions

The fork shrouds

And this is a shot of the engine stand along with the seal retainer tool bought on the "Shop 'til Ya Drop Spending Spree", this ones for Kawa as he was interested in the stand

Have been spraying penetrating fluid down inside the sliders to help later on with removing the seal retainers. Judging by some of the rust that was there on the springs and stanchions, thought it might be a good idea...

Will also have to get some lumber materials and cobble up a platform thing to mount the stand on.....could bolt it to the bench, but seeing how it's not mine (the bench), may not be a good idea.

Any ideas for the vise? Had thought of an old cable spool, but need one at a good height to make things manageable.

Answers in the usual manner....on a scrap of paper, left behind the old cistern at 9PM on a cloudless night.