Skoze

eBay.... I advertised some shocks in a rush yesterday, was supposed to be a 99p start and run for 3 days - just got confirmation through a few hours later that they've sold for 99p, ergo I must have clicked buy it now. Guess i've gotta sell the f**kers for that then?

Cheers bud, You make a very good case for just getting stuck in... I'm actually not too sure what the material is, but general consensus does seem to be that they need machining to fit so it's not such a shed job. Just been out with the two engines side by side (good point about having a spare JD, still got all the parts to rebuild the original alongside this one so i'll have that as a learning project). I think I might just be able to get away with it - I wondered why it looked so odd for a worn bearing and then took a step back and wondered why it was the same shade of grey that the block's been primed with... It comes off. Nothing to lose so just gonna be super gentle and as least aggressive as possible when I'm in a better frame of mind!

Yep, about as standard as you can get, diameter just steps down across the 4. I can't believe something that should be so straight forward is such a headache - from what I can gather the sticking point is that you can only get replacements from one supplier and they always demand a fair bit of time in dressing to fit the cam. Times like these I wish the old man was still about, we'd do that exact 6-stage plan in an afternoon

You can get 'em, but swapping them seems to be the hard bit (and subsequently it doesn't seem to be a very common thing anyone changes). There's a few places that'll do it, but all have months-long waiting lists and charge a fair few quid. Trying to twist the arm of one of the local builders to jump the queue a bit so we'll see what happens - was just really hoping this had had them seen to beforehand!

Well, I ended up with another one. But i'm still no closer to having nice cam bearings. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That drive looks awesome, dude... Could definitely get on board for a hooning about weekend sometime.

Just flicking through this - how long and low does that look in hindsight? Jesus...

That's wicked man, thank you! Will have a good go at it in the week and see what happens - certainly can't make it worse so may as well have a go! Got a scuff on the back of the roof too which I might tackle in a similar fashion once i've had a practice run elsewhere. \ If i could find someone to just blow it in i'd be happy to pay a few quid, but like you say i've no doubt they'll quote to put me off. The areas aren't huge at all but I can see it being a bit of a pain in the arse to make a neat job of. Cheers!

Went at it with a screwdriver today and it's actually not too bad, i've always known there was going to be some fun and games with the scuttle since I bought it but it's just bubbled up over the past 6 months or so. No holes anywhere visible, though i've no doubt it'll be scabby behind the windscreen. I've just sanded it down and tidied it up for the time being while it sits, but I need to make it look a little better when the weather's nicer for when i'm cruising the strip picking up gash. Paint people (paging @Tom Booth) - how best can I sort this out with rattle cans? Specifically how should I go about blowing it into the area around it, especially when it comes to lacquer? Or should I just find someone backstreet who can do it for a few quid and save myself the trouble? I'm trying to keep it dirt cheap, just need it looking passable and stave off any more rust until the end of the year.

Capri's home! Due to pick up its new engine next week, bit of an abandoned project by someone who's just done everything I was going to do to mine (plus some oversize pistons, winning) - gonna mate it up with the other bits I was gonna use and go for gold. Storage has not been good to it though, it's *quite* rotten in some places which is pretty sad and also a major headache, but It's nothing structural so i'm gonna be a total pikey and pug it up for the MoT in lieu of a full strip down and weld up next winter. Also worked out what was up with the land rover and why it's suddenly started having steering drop arm/ oil pipe interface issues... One of the engine mounts has ripped off and is currently chilling inside the drivers side chassis rail. Not ideal.

This was both the best and worst week of my life. I love bikes and I love you all.

Smashing, Basil.

Looking forward to this... Again, I've always loved their frames and I do miss my 609 a lot (less so the 609 freakshow - the DD 660 was cool too actually) Will be keen to see what they do!

Craig Taylor's just finished turning his garage into a disorienting green obstacle course.

Gotta be honest, I've always written off the trip a little bit for the reasons Mark mentioned, but seeing that video and hearing your tales it does appeal a lot; could be great fun with a decent little group.

Photoshop, it's not possible to ride an Inspired with one. Go change your style and riding aspirations completely.

Clearly you've never gone through the sheer abject f**king horror of having to run a chain tensioner, Mark.

This is today in a song. Feeling well pathetic and miserable and just hating everything and everyone. Melancholy.

Have some tugs xox

Turnt inside out. Smh.

I had to check my oil last weekend, the entire sump was on the floor because my steering box drop arm pulled an oil cooler pipe off.

Getting pretty sour over how much someone else has spent on their bike up in hurrrrr...

Spent a couple of hours today designing a new CV on the one typeface/ weight/ size challenge; well happy with it. Feeling a little more confident about my steez again.

Exactly, what have you got to lose? good luck dude

f**k off.