Motorcycle Forum / Country Specific / UK Group / September 2007

So, today was the day when I had a good look over 'the beast' and gave
it a bit of a service.

First, oil change.  No nasties, oil not in bad shape and filter not so
dirty.  

Second, replace plugs and plug caps.  No. 1 lead looks a bit f.cking
dodgy at the HT coil, I'm not sure whether these are replaceable leads
or not so I'll live with it.  Well, at least for the time being.

Third, points, condenser and timing.  Hate this. Skip it.

Fourth, air filter.

Fifth, points, condenser and timing. Yuck. Skip.

Sixth, check brakes; all ok.

Seventh, points, condenser and timing...

Eighth, check wheels and tyres (naturally *after* I've done 150 miles on
it... the sidecar one's a bit f.cked.  Plus the rim is rusty.  Anyone
got a wheel off a Jawa sidecar in ok condition?  Failing that, anyone
got any idea what it would cost to have the rim replaced?

Ninth, points, con...

Tenth, quick visual on the engine and *yuck* one of the cam cover bolts
has clearly been replaced by one that's too long in the past, tightened
up and *crack*.  There's a bit of chemical metal that's been put in
place which isn't doing a bad job.  Clean it.  Clean it some more.
Clean it again (with carb cleaner).  Cover with araldite, wait to dry.
Another coat.  That'll do for now 'cos I'm not changing the head.

Eleventh, f.ck it.  Replace the points and condenser.  I've not done
this in *years* existing points gap was about 0.05mm rather than
0.3-0.4mm.  Hmm.  Might explain why it was a little reluctant to fire
sometimes 'cos I figure this would put the timing out.  Horrid job but
got there in the end (I think); didn't want to run the engine up too
long 'cos I don't want oil under the araldite until it's had plenty of
time to go off.  Still about 45 minutes to replace points and condenser.
Even though the condenser's f.cked and the points represent a miniature
of everest and a comet crater I think I'll keep them in case they come
in handy.  *sigh*

Twelth, quick visual on sidecar mounting. f.ck.  One of the 'bars' which
goes between the sidecar and the bike, using the centre stand mount is
not welded together well. Hmm.  But even worse... the f.cker that built
it drilled through a frame tube between the two engine mounts at the
front of the bike to mount a 'bar'.  Well, I suppose if I get it welded
up and fabricate a bracket (or get someone else to) that it'll be fine.

Hmm...  Insurance company are saying the underwriter wants to see the
registration document.  I think that I'm about to be told off about
having an outfit that's not registered or something.  Are you meant to
tell DVLA when you add a sidecar to a motorcycle?

Ho, hum, you live and learn.  Still it's been fun and a learning
experience so I'm not complaining.  Well, not quite yet.