free time basement project

Lambretta project - Finished!!!

2012-02-05T16:41:00.002+01:00

-15 degC but she still started and I even took her down the road & back (both feet on the floor just incase) Bring on the warmer weather!!

VW Bus project...

2012-01-30T18:25:00.002+01:00

Original VW Bus user manual from 1961…..now I can read which button does what in the bus!

I love EBAY!

Vintage parts clear out

2012-01-30T18:22:00.001+01:00

Someone cleans there garage out in Manchester – puts it on eBay – click sold to me – shipping to Switzerland! Smiles all round :o)))))

BSA Project - Alton Generator system

2012-01-30T18:19:00.002+01:00

Final arrived for the UK, new 12 volt geni for the BSA project, 375mm belt drive now I should be able to see something if I have to drive at night!! yahhhh!!

More shinny parts

2011-12-09T21:15:00.000+01:00

Mr Waser called me and said your parts are ready to collect....bling bling....sunglasses please!!

Some BSA parts and the outstanding parts for the Lambretta....now I have enough to do this wekend :o)

WLA 3 bolt gear box

2011-12-09T21:08:00.002+01:00

The WLA project's gear box arrived this week, stripped it down and everything looks to be in good condition, just a few small repaires required (threads etc) oh and a little bit of cleaning :o)

To Do List

2011-12-06T21:55:00.002+01:00

Weekend workshop priority list

1 Finish Lambretta

2 BSA timing

3 Harley WLA Parts

4 Cleaning VW Bus

Details, details, details

2011-12-06T21:42:00.001+01:00

Today was a good day...no today was a great day

2011-12-06T21:36:00.002+01:00

After nearly 3 months the VW Bus finaly arrived at my house, I think she had a shock going from the nice Cali sun shine to the Swiss winter....do think she's ever seen snow before!

Oldtimer teile markt schnäplis :o)

2011-11-06T20:30:00.004+01:00

Bar mirror for the BSA project
Tools for the workshop

Norton front brake / hub assembly

Lots of original Harley parts :o)

Lambretta project update

2011-11-06T20:17:00.011+01:00

Wednesday back from the painters - today time to see the sun before the snow arrives

New project #2 - 1974 Harley Sportster - needs works

2011-10-05T21:41:00.001+02:00

Needs work and time to junk some of the chrome parts and make a good old bobber out of her!

New project #1 - 1960 VW Panel Van

2011-10-05T21:39:00.001+02:00

Look what I've found, should arrive in CH in 6-8 weeks, hope she doesn't get sea sick :o)

What do think about this then.....

2011-09-11T21:10:00.001+02:00

Comments please...

60 year Zurich Vespa club

2011-09-11T21:02:00.001+02:00

Michi's and my vespa at the meeting

Time to go skiing with your vespa......not too sure about lefthand corners!

Oldtimer Meeting / Car boot sale :o))))))

2011-09-11T20:59:00.001+02:00

Lots of BSA spare parts and a few goodies for the Harley project....smiles alround :o)))))

Amal Monobloc's for the BSA

2011-07-26T22:11:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I got some parts for the lambretta in the post and today the Amal 389 Monobloc arrived smiles alround!! (Maybe tomorrow the other 2 packages will arrive...fingers crossed!)

2011 O-iO Part 2 - Already ready for next year :o)

2011-06-19T17:27:00.002+02:00

2011 O-iO Part 1

2011-06-19T17:09:00.002+02:00

This weekend keep it free!

2011-06-06T21:43:00.002+02:00

The best old timer / vintage car and bike meeting in Switzerland.

www.o-io.ch

Be there or be square......... ;o)

Just arrived from the USA H.Gerstner & Son Model 041C

2011-06-06T21:26:00.003+02:00

You may think I'm a little crazy for buying something like this and having it shipped 1/2 way round the world but hey each to their own. I love the workmanship put into these boxes, there something about the feel of them to when you open the draws or lid and it still works like it did in 1942 when it was made! (I wish my Harley was in the same shape as this box, i.e. just a few scratches and used!!)

New workshop machine

2011-06-06T21:19:00.002+02:00

I've been playing with the idea of buying a milling machine for a while now; I've finally found what I've been looking....for a good quality machine with all the extra including a rotary table and loads of cutting tools for a good price. Took me a while (with Chris’s help too) to get the machine into my workshop....you just gotta love steps while carrying heavy machinery....not!! Any way she’s installed and up ‘n’ running :o)

It's been a while but here's something new

2011-06-06T21:14:00.003+02:00

Here's the Lambretta re-worked engine + the re-built fork now I just need the body work to go with it :o)

Opps I shouldn't look to see what on the internet for sale...it always ends bad :o)

2011-03-21T20:09:00.006+01:00

LAMBRETTA (IND) Li 1978 same year as me and my new work ride!!

"Lambretta 125 LI für Bastler. Mängel: Benzinhahnen ist abgebrochen. Hinterbremse gängig machen. Zündung funkt nur bei trockenem Wetter."

Well nothing that a couple of can's brake cleaner and some matt black spray can't sort out :o)

Shinny new parts just arrived in the post

2011-03-14T21:13:00.004+01:00

Cables, cables, cables and some more cables + a few other goodies

Cylinder Head

2011-03-14T20:58:00.004+01:00

Lapped in the valves and re built the springs, job done for tonight!

Bottom end back from the Engine Shop

2011-03-14T20:48:00.002+01:00

New Bushes, new pistons, re ground, 0.08 clearance, re assembled......I've been waiting a long time for this picture.

Oh Sir, that will do nicely, 1935 RL springer front end

2011-03-07T21:40:00.003+01:00

Finally got what I’ve been after for a while now, an original 1935’ish RL / DL springer front end, the upper springs and some of the rocker bushes / bolts are missing but the main stuff is there and in great condition! 7/8 neck steam STD lenght, no fittings for ride control but hey I have an original springer from the 30's *smile*

Sent from the USA Friday 4th March 5.00PM, arrived in Switzerland Monday 7th Mach 3.21PM thank you Dan and Mr FedEx Man!!

Like opening a time capsule

2011-02-11T15:06:00.004+01:00

Just got these from FW Thornton & Son Ltd in Shropshire.

Perfect customer service, hard to find these days!!

Off to the engine shop now to get the cylinder matched machined to suit these bad boys.

Shiny close up of the parts back from the paint shop

2011-02-07T21:40:00.003+01:00

What are you doing with that?

2011-02-07T21:35:00.002+01:00

Was said to me as I carried my WLA engine up into my office and placed it on my desk.....I think it looks great and give's me a bit more space in the workshop until I'm ready to rock "n" roll on the WLA project.

New tools in the workshop

2011-02-07T21:30:00.003+01:00

Check out the pinstripes, they don't make em like that any more!! 140 Sfr.- you can't say a word and it works as well.......bonus!!

Controls

2010-11-21T20:47:00.002+01:00

Spent some time over the weekend working on installing the control cables and levers.....

TOMASELLI MATADOR LEVERS
NORTON STYLE RUBBER GRIPS
STD Instruments and steering damper

Can't wait to use them properly!!

Paint idea #1

2010-10-03T21:17:00.002+02:00

BSA Photo Shooting

2010-10-02T15:49:00.006+02:00

I decided to take some time today, get out of the workshop and enjoy what may be the last good weather of the year before winter comes. I've been doing lots of small thinks on the BSA over the last few weeks, last night I decided to out her together so I can start planning the paint scheme. Here's my "blank canvas" .....just add paint.....

It would look cool to drop her down this low but I don't think it'd be so comfortable to drive!

Time on the computer is dangerous....and expensive

2010-08-29T21:54:00.001+02:00

I got lucky on another deal today, 45’ springer fork with outboard rockers (WLC Type) with fits nicely with the star hubs and brakes :o))), now I just have to drive to Bern (Switzerland) to pick it up....then get rid of the chrome and paint it black!!

45' parts update

2010-08-29T21:47:00.002+02:00

Floor board, foot controls, lights horn, fender, battery box, primary cover etc etc etc :o))))))

Got luck this week on Ricardo (swiss version of Ebay) and scoped all these parts for not so much!

Couldn't even buy 2 repo fenders for the price I paid for everyting :o)

Progress report

2010-08-15T20:37:00.003+02:00

Last week I was working on the rear fender and the support bars along with the rear light set up. Managed to get it all welded up on Friday evening which meant the weekend was free for other jobs!

My neighbour (who is also a keen biker) stopped by my place on Saturday to see how I was getting on with my BSA project and he asked a good question.......what are you going to do with the exhaust system? After he left to start work on his bike I decide to try mocking up the pipe, so I fired up the welding machine and got to work.........here is the results I’m please with my weekends work.Road legal....may be.....well may be not......anyway job done ;o)

Road Legal and ready to go

2010-08-04T21:06:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I received some documents from Piaggio to try and help me to get my PAV trailer on the road and guess what it worked, well worth the money and thanks to both Pino & Romano for the Italian help!!!! I now have a full MFK (MOT) on both the trailer and also the vespa which means no more avoiding the police.....she's fully road worthy, legal & “Veteranenfahrzeugs”.

Today is a good day :o)

BSA Project progress

2010-07-26T21:52:00.005+02:00

Slowly but surely I getting on the BSA project, while on holiday in the UK I managed to get quite a few thing ticked off the shopping list from taps and dies to engine parts! Here a small update showing some of the weekend fabrication/metal work.

The new Battery mount/position.

Side shot showing the sissy bar and rear light mock up.

And a tail shot, why not!

Up close and personal with the GBX

2010-07-26T21:47:00.003+02:00

Harley GBX final arrived!!!!

2010-07-26T21:40:00.002+02:00

Fit's like it should and looks to be in a good condition......smiles all round :o)

One or two stamps on the box..........

Well it sure took a long time to get from Canada to Switzerland, it's seems like I've been wait months for this baby....oh wait a seconds....it has been months!!!Check it out.......

2010/07/23
13:11
834300,Switzerland
Item successfully delivered
2010/07/21
15:17
International shipment has arrived in the destination country
07:29
International item released from Customs to Foreign Postal Administration
07:05
International item arrived in destination country
2010/06/17
08:13
International item has left Canada
2010/05/27
15:26
PRINCE GEORGE
Item accepted at the Post Office

Harley frame back from the blasters

2010-06-25T10:58:00.004+02:00

Cleaned up nicely, just one small repair need in the rear upper leg but no things I can't sort out!

Back from the painter

2010-06-25T10:49:00.003+02:00

Back from the painter black, black and black thanks you very much! Job done!!

2 outta 3 hit today

2010-06-22T19:48:00.003+02:00

Sooooo today start out good

1st call of the day was the water jet cutter telling me my BSA parts where finished and ready to collect......time to fire up the welding machine :o)

2nd call of the day was the company where I took the engine to get "boiled" she was finished and ready to collect!!! Check out the pictures........I very please up until now.........not a bad considering she's seen nearly 65+ years of abuse and probably a couple of hundred thousand miles, oh yeah and WWII!!

The only disappointing news was the BSA & Harley frame and parts where not ready to collect yet but maybe they’re ready for tomorrow, fingers crossed!!

Looks like new, now all I need to do is measure out all the clearances and see what needs to be replaced or re worked.
Can't wait to get the BSA frame back so I can finish off all these parts!

BSA A7 Project

2010-06-20T18:37:00.005+02:00

What are you going to do when the weekend weather forecast is rain, rain and more rain......I know what your thinking "garage time" but your wrong because 95% of the parts are either at the paints or at the engine shop.......AHHHHHHHH!!

So what's new......the filler cap arrived for the BSA project looks good can't wait to get that tank painted!

Also got a chance to do some of those small jobs today, this is the rear fender before........

And after......added a closing plate, then welded it all up and the groung it all down to match the side radius......nice :o)

Engine yesterday Frame today, I love the weekends

2010-06-13T17:34:00.002+02:00

So the frame is now ready to bring to the sandblasters, I got the stearing lock out and removed the un wanter exra tabs that someone had installed some when in the last 70 years.......we'll have to wait and see what comes back but hopefully it's all good!

Off to the cleaner with this little lot....

2010-06-12T23:28:00.002+02:00

So the strip down is finshed and it's now off to the cleaner with this little lot to get boiled, time to say good bye to that 68 year old oil stains, then I can final see what I've really got and what needs to be added to the shopping list as replacement parts...........

2010-06-12T23:23:00.001+02:00

I think I'll be buying a new main pin this one looks alittle bit past it's best......
New bushes and she'll be ready again for the road again

Useable

Cylinder

2010-06-12T23:19:00.001+02:00

Opps that's the last over size piston and she's not looking in too good shape........liners or a new set of cylinders and pistons......we'll have to see whats better price wise........

Start of the strip down

2010-06-11T08:00:00.003+02:00

Cam's, followers, oil pump etc etc

Cases and Crank

Outer Cam cover

What is it?

2010-06-11T07:57:00.004+02:00

My first Harley......a 1942 Flathead 45'........ well she's missing a few parts but that's what Ebay's for right!

FedEx delivery for the USA

2010-06-11T07:53:00.004+02:00

What's in the boxes?

Just managed to fit it in the Audi!

My First Harley

2010-06-08T19:41:00.005+02:00

Today I got a nice little package delivered to my house all the way from the USA via the USPS, and for once it wasn't a bill or a speeding fine!! Just the title for my Harley project......the only thing you can't buy from the v-twin catalogue or W&W :o) now I can start shopping for the other 5000 parts I need for this project. Thanks Allen for sorting out all the shipping, it was a pleasure doing business with you guys from IL USA!

2010-06-02T12:48:00.005+02:00

......last weekend 3 friends and I put down the tools and took a trip to an oldtimer meeting in the middle of Switzerland (www.o-io.ch) A good ride with no problems....always fun!