The radiator saga continues

So after the first supplier cancelled from Germany, I went back to eBay and found another.

This one from the Czech Republic. All of the ads are very much the same. This makes me think that in reality they are all the same Chinese company...

The rads are all made in China! 

The ČR version was a little cheaper and was free delivery. I ordered it.

Next morning. eBay email to say it couldn't be delivered to UK as they had closed the Czech warehouse.

Another refund to my PayPal.

Back to Google and eBay. Others available from China so I ordered one. Thinking that it would be posted rather than use a flakey courier service.

A longish wait for the order to be confirmed. This morning an eBay update. Dispatched.

No firm delivery date as we are in the hands of post offices around the globe. And the container ship making good progress....

Radiator not coming

Firstly had an email to say that the radiator had been delivered. Apparently last night.

I messaged Phil and he said nothing had been delivered at all.

Logging into eBay I found a message from the company to say that due to Brexit and the current closing of the borders by the French, that it had been brought back to them and the order cancelled.

Great news. It seems no one in UK has them. 

Looking like a bike now!

Coming together now.

Needs the new radiator fitted and of course the fuel tank ..

Radiator blocked - new one bought!

Phil has done a full run up with everything attached and the rad not flowing much liquid.

Flow test shows only 60% flow. It has been cleaned to get that low level.

Bit like my heart! Pumps at 45%!!!

Checking online found a place that does re-coring. Phil called and it was £400.

An eBay search found some new ones in Germany for £110. Not original parts but Phil says buy.

So I have.  Maybe the exchange rate changed slightly as it came out to be £109! A whole £1 saved. 

I thought it best to get it done and dusted now before the UK leaves the EU and they start putting tariffs on imported good from an EU country.  At least begore the end of 31st December it should be tariff free.

I hope if goes on without too much faffing about.  It might need a spray over with some black paint to make it "fit" the classic bike look.

Hopefully it won't get held up in the problems between the UK and France and the borders being closed due to France making a snap decision.

Set Back!

A small set back in the build today.  In a full "wet run" there is a problem with the radiator. It looks as though there is a blockage somewhere and the water/liquid isn't getting around the system.

It's  matter for Phil to see if he can clear it. Worst case is that we need to source another one or get this one recored.

Hopefully, he can clear the blockage and it won't cost me too much dinero!

 

Insured and ready for the road

Whilst the bike was simply festering in the garage I didn't have it insured recently.  It was on my multi-bike policy until about 4 years ago though. As it couldn't be ridden I let it lapse. 

If any thief wanted to break in and ignore the Rocket to get to it, and then try to try and find neutral and then push it on flat tyres, then they could have it!  It wasn't worth very much (so I thought) in that condition.

So that Phil can road test it, the bike needed to be insured for the frog and toad.  A phone call to Carole Nash today and it is covered from midnight tonight.

Mind you it cost as much as the Rocket to insure!  

When the summer comes and I decide whether to keep the Rocket as well as the Kettle, then maybe I'll shop around.  

Currently, I don't ride as much as I like. Those holidays that both Claire and I have enjoyed over the years have faded and it is years since Claire went on the back at all. Maybe time to get rid of the long distance capable bike whilst it has some value and just keep the Kettle for the high days and holidays?

The Kettle Runs!

A video from Phil showing that it is coming along nicely.  Engine in and running.

It was fantastic to see it running, even for just a few moments. It is so long since I last heard it running.  After all these years of neglect. 

 

Coming on quickly....

Phil has started the rebuild. I hadn't expected it back until later next year but it looks like I will have to go and get it sooner than expected.

Coupes Motos Légendes 2021

The date for the event has been revealed today - 11th & 12th September 2021.

That rules me out for 2021 as I expect still to be at work and that will be in term time. Working in a school environment isn't good for that kind of date. 

Now August. That would have been perfect.

Maybe try again in 2022?

More parts to be ordered

The air filter looks to have been at the foot of a river embedded in muck. 

New one on order. Just the foam part.  Whilst I was on ebay (and hopefully getting cash back from Topcashback UK) I ordered a pair of the decals for each side of the engine.

Engine almost finished

The engine is almost completed now. 

Isn't that a sight for sore eyes!  

Tyres

Maybe getting a little ahead of myself but with the engine almost ready to go back in the frame and the carbs done a few weeks ago, we need to be thinking about tyres.

The wheels have been cleaned, chromed and fitted with new stainless spokes.  So now we need tyres, inner tubes and rim tape.

I had looked at either Bridgestone BT45 or the Metzeler equivalent.  

In the past I had Continental tyres fitted and they didn't inspire any confidence when the road was a little wet.  They are supposed to be great all rounders but I found them a little prone to follow cracks in the road and any over banding proved slippery when wet.

Phil suggested BT46 as the BT45 has been replaced for the 2020 riding season.  I had a look to see if anyone had them in stock still, as it might have saved me a few bob. In the end  I couldn't get both front and rear.  Oddly, the BT45 rear was more expensive than the newer variant.

So we have opted for the BT46 pairing. Phil ordered them and I have paid for them.  

Bridgestone Battlax BT46

https://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2020012803.html

Another badge!

I couldn't resist. I have nowhere to stitch or iron-on it to but it I am sure it will go on a sweatshirt or hoodie to wear when out on the Kettle.

Engine rebuild starting

Dr Phil has started the rebuild. Pistons and rings on order.

Accent electronic ignition.

With Accent electronic ignition in place

T and GT Club Nederland 21st Anniversary Rally

Okay as previously posted I have set this as a target for next year. The Rally/Treffen is at the end of the school half-term weekend in London.

The rally entry price includes camping.  I have not camped for many years and a brief look at tents on Amazon and eBay shows that a small one/two person tent could be had for about £30 to £35.  And one that is as easy (!) to put up as an umbrella.

But, with my various medical conditions I am afraid camping is not for me.  So I had a look around on booking.com for somewhere like a B&B or hotel within easy reach of the rally site.

There is a rally ticket price that includes all the events but not camping and the rider has to book their own hotel.

According to Google maps there is a hotel on the same road as the rally site and is 350 metres away.  So I booked it with the free cancellation option.

Het Spijkerhuys is going to cost about €70 a night with no breakfast.  I don't have to pay until 17th May and I have free cancellation until midnight on the 19th and they will refund. I should know long before then whether I can go and whether the bike will be ready.  have set a reminder on my Google calendar to cancel on the 15th!

Tankard and ticket from the 2004 Treffen

You can never have too many mugs!

Right?

Hoping mine will come back a little like this...

I have the blue sidepanels in the garage in a box and covered in bubble-wrap as the bike has a set of "B" matt black panels on it at the moment and has had for many years.

Another event to aim for?

Another target that might be more achievable than the Coupes Moto Legende in May 2021 might by the Suzuki T&GT Club Nederland Treffen at the beginning of June. Info here.

As with many events it was supposed to have taken place in 2020 as the 20th Anniversary rally but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. So now it is the 21st Anniversary Treffen!

Claire and I went many years ago and it would be nice to have another trip over there.  The timing looks quite good as the week that it starts is when I am on half-term holiday.  I doubt that Claire will want to go on the bike but once it is back from Dr Phil she might change her mind.

The last time we went ex-GP racer Wil Hartog was the main guest and he led the ride-out. I have a photo of Claire and him together.

Claire and Wil Hartog

I emailed the club's secretary and he said that this was probably the 2004 treffen when Wil was there.

The rally this year is to be held a bit further away from UK than the last time we went.  it looks to be about 300 miles.  Might be a good shakedown for the Kettle.

Once I find out where the exact location is I can have a look at maybe going....

There is one problem with this event. There is no B&B/Hotel option and so it will mean camping. I haven't camped for a good many years and by then I will be a 65yo pensioner!

Kettle Archive - From a 2012 post on another blog

I guess I am not alone in having a huge collection of photographs taken before the digital age?  Thought not.

So I thought I'd look out a few and scan them in.  I have a collection of pics taken of the Kettle (Water Buffalo or Wasserbuffel) on a few runs out and a couple of trips in Austria for the Wasserbuffel Club's rally at Schloss Moosham.

1993 - Garage in Zastavka on the trickle charger

1993 - Hundertwasser Autobahn Services

1993 - On the alpine road

1999 - Maltatal waterfall

Woburn Abbey Deer Park

The next little batch are all from the 1993 Wasserbuffel Treffen.  The treffen is hosted in the Schloss at Moosham, and a lot of the hardier types camp, others stay in the apartments across the road, and some in the nearest town of Mauterndorf.

Twenty-seven years ago (nearly!) I was booked in the youth hostel a few miles away but one of the German guys said to share their room as they had a big room in the gasthof and a spare bed.  They took pity on me as I was from the Czech Republic, so that it costs me nothing, apart from the odd beer to repay them all.

We stayed in this Gasthof

My GT in the centre with the Eddie Lawson replica Shoei

Schloss Moosham's apartments on right

With Thomas Wahle on a ride around the mountains (1993)

My GT front right

Mauterndorf