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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 12, 2022 20:43:00 GMT 1
That's the rule Jon
Bits you buy to take out the country come with a free covid infection
Hopefully you were both OK, it was rife here for a while. I don't like the way a lot of people don't give a shit now
Went to my local Tesco today. Used the cash machine first and struggled to find a hand gel dispenser at the door 🙄
Steve
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 12, 2022 21:46:07 GMT 1
I think the rule is anything under 30c and humans are fine, if a little hot and bothered. Anything over that and tempers flare up for seemingly no apparent reason. But...it's stress hormones that rise with the temperature so it is kinda scientific. Sorry you had such a rough time Jon, and covid to boot. Must be nice to finally be back home.
Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 16, 2022 13:26:00 GMT 1
Haha. Tho Steve I reckon I got Covid on the plane on the way to Blighty, but you never really know. Agreed its not like too many people are that worried about it anymore. Ive had a bunch of jabs and it still knocked me about; Dont recommend.
Home is good dont get me wrong but we loved being back in the UK, it was great to see family and friends and travel around as wed not seen them for years. I was more shocked at the price of petrol (and coffee) and the billions of dogs everyone seems to have got in Covid more than anything really. lol.
Anyway Alex... Whats going on with the Spit?
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 16, 2022 21:31:08 GMT 1
Lora's new suspension is here. Pretty cheap really. About £70 for both shocks and coils. No point in just doing one side, get both done to be on the safe side. I also needed a soft top rubber seal (where it folds onto the top of the windscreen). Today was a LOT cooler but very muggy and thunderstorms but I made a start on fitting the soft top frame. Newly refurbed quarter panels are in and I managed to get a couple of bolts in (not easy on my own) before it pissed down. Frantically put the hard top back on and I'll continue tomorrow if the rain stays away long enough!
Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 16, 2022 23:58:39 GMT 1
sounds like great progress Alex, thats the British summer I remember... not the one we had on holiday this year, it only rained once... and that was in Manchester lol
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 20, 2022 22:03:52 GMT 1
I've got the frame on but it's far from ideal. This part keeps on popping out. And it's meant to pivot round. Two options...drill a hole at the back of the rod and insert an R clip or cut the thing off and use a bolt and a nylock nut so it will allow a bit of movement. The Triumph lads haven't responded as yet! Alex
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Post by tony2stroke on Aug 20, 2022 22:51:24 GMT 1
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 21, 2022 21:27:36 GMT 1
Good idea Tony and I was going to order some, however the Triumph lads came up with a solution. Heat the tip of the rod and when red hot bash the end flat. That way it forms a ridge and the rod can't pop out of the hole (fnar fnar). So I did that, it worked, and the frame is back in place. Another thing that's been bugging me is the lack of reversing lights. There's meant to be a switch on top of the gearbox and I can't find it anywhere. Someone has fitted 2 toggle switches under the dash, one works the map reading light but the other is a mystery. The previous owner of 4 years never found out what it does but it uses power (the ammeter tells me so). So...key in, turn on switch and walk to the back of the car... RESULT! Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 22, 2022 2:11:47 GMT 1
Good work on the frame Alex. Nice simple fix. I love automotive detective work... Im wondering why the reverse light switch is wired like this? Perhaps someone forgot to fit it before putting the box back in? Tho I think you can acess it from the top... hmm... weird. It seems a lot of work to fit a dash switch if the other one is present and works, so Im going to suggest the switch is fitted to the box but one of the contacts is broken off or the a PO didnt know how to adjust it... Keen to see what you find now, Im sure its a simple fix to sort this.
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 22, 2022 21:33:58 GMT 1
Jon I'm happy with it as is. It works and I'm not going to try and see if I can get it to work another way. I'm trying to keep the costs down on this now as I had a tally up the other day and my cerebellum froze. Still got to get the shocks fitted and maybe the soft top, or try and do it myself...and then there's that rather tasty exhaust...and a new dash top...and about 20 other things. But for now I'll be a very happy chappy with the shocks and hood done. Then she's a daily driver. Though my insurance doesn't cover going to work, bit of a bummer but hey ho.
Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 23, 2022 1:04:36 GMT 1
No worries, was just thinking it would be a cheap and relatively easy fix to have ot work as designed was all, especially if youre under the car or have the lever cover off ie. if you ever had to refurb the gearchnage bushes etc FWIW that makes a huge difference to the change if its sloppy.
Hear you on costs, like all projects these things can spiral of course. You can defo fit the new shocks yourself with minimal tools, especially if they are complete units with the spring and top etc. Simple bolt ins. Id let a pro do the top, if it looks crap youve lost the investment in the parts.
Exhaust is an easy fit yourself if you can get the old one off, not done a dash top... is it just vinyl?
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 23, 2022 21:18:02 GMT 1
Oh for sure if I have to tinker with the gearbox then I will fix the reversing lights at the same time. The coils are not connected, I need a compressor, and not my bike one either! My trusty local garage are fitting them tomorrow while I wait, and after that I'm off to the marine place to ask about the soft top. Zorst I can easily do myself. The dash top is vinyl wrapped around some sponge type stuff and presumably something in between to keep it rigid. Not sure how easy it is to do, think it's a windscreen out job but that in itself isn't hard. 3 bolts I think.
Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 24, 2022 21:26:53 GMT 1
Well. That day didn't quite go as planned. Off to get the shocks done and we hit a snag. They only had coil compressors for modern stuff and on closer inspection the top turrets were twisted. Bollocks. Then I went to the powder coaters and dropped off the airbox. That went okay...then off to the marine place and they were closed. At 1pm. Went back at 3, still closed. Rang them and no answer. So I have ordered a compressor (NOT cheap), some turrets and new nylocks, windsreen wipers and the correct door strap bolts. A damn money pit this car but you know what? I don't mind, she's fantastic!
Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 25, 2022 1:06:31 GMT 1
Haha, well no... that didnt go as planned at all! Im sure I replaced my snapped bolt shock top with some cheapo Halfords windy compressors back in the day. Marred the paint/powder on the spring but it was all i had :/ These days most half decent modern shock compressors will do any and all shocks, Ive even done bike ones with the one my mate has, looks like this, bit of a beat for bike and Spitfire shocks but great for when i did the Evo shock refurb. Ahh yes... money pit projects... I know a bike forum where there are lots of those and a load of blokes who will understand your plight.... oh hold on, we're on it!
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 25, 2022 21:17:23 GMT 1
Haha! The compressor is tailor made for the Spitfire and looks nothing like your one or the bike ones I have. Should be here tomorrow so I'll get a piccy.
Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 26, 2022 1:02:43 GMT 1
oh cool, excited to see that.
(just googled and seen it... could be modded for bike monoshocks!)
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 26, 2022 21:47:05 GMT 1
And this is it. Along with new turrets, wipers and the correct pins for doors... And I've found out there is a Triumph specialist in Acton, about 15 miles away. I'll give 'em a bell on Monday, if anyone can fit a hood it's them. Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 27, 2022 1:00:05 GMT 1
yes, that looks a good bit of kit. Nice n safe I would think.
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Post by donkeychomp on Sept 1, 2022 21:31:43 GMT 1
New shocks are in! All I had to pay for was labour at a very reasonable £30 an hour. As I was leaving the garage to my total surprise a Spitfire 1500 pulls in! It was a right state, rust everywhere, roof flapping all over the place but I had a good chat with the owner and to my delight I got photos of exactly how to mount the soft top. It seems fairly straight forward apart from the pop studs at the back. As the place in Acton only do Triumph Stags...(really??) my garage has agreed to have a go but I suggested I help out. You need two people to stretch out the back of the hood for a start...
We're expecting a lot of rain here soon but when it clears up I'll go get it done.
Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Sept 6, 2022 21:20:48 GMT 1
I got the airbox back from the powder coaters. Not bad for £20... And after a few days and nights of torrential rain this sight was awful to see The Triumph boys suggested a cover made by Stormforce so I've ordered one. Seems I won't be getting my workshop space back any time soon so for now she'll have to live outside. Alex
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Post by arrdy350 on Sept 6, 2022 21:38:08 GMT 1
That airbox lid looks good 👍
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Post by donkeychomp on Sept 6, 2022 23:08:42 GMT 1
Yep! They did a great job. I trust them with small stuff but not with bike frames after the last attempt.
Alex
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Post by JonW on Sept 7, 2022 0:19:12 GMT 1
yep airbox looks great, soggy car not so much
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Post by donkeychomp on Sept 7, 2022 21:45:36 GMT 1
Soggy car NO more! The cover turned up this morning. And yes, it was raining. But by late afternoon it was dry so I wiped down Lora and plonked the cover on. Just as well. It's thunder and lightning again here and hissing down.
Alex
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Post by JonW on Sept 8, 2022 3:43:21 GMT 1
I assume your plan is that you are going to use Lora on nice winter days as well to help keep the winters condensation of the underside and the interior at bay if she lives outside? I do worry about the puddle she might live in, I think id want to try and make that drain if i could?
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Post by donkeychomp on Sept 8, 2022 21:17:13 GMT 1
I'm hoping the workshop space will free up before winter Jon! But she'll be used year round. As for that puddle...the houses here were built about 36 years ago and where my garage and lots of others are is that drain hole. Every time it rains the water pours out of the drain and floods everywhere. A while back a neighbour got the blueprints of the drainage system and this particular one goes nowhere. It's just a hole in the ground. Thanks Wimpey for designing such a classic...
Alex
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Post by JonW on Sept 9, 2022 0:30:46 GMT 1
ahhh... thats not good. Fingers crossed on the workshop space.
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Post by donkeychomp on Oct 6, 2022 21:49:13 GMT 1
Not had much to say about Lora recently as all I've been doing is driving her. The hard top is off for good now as I have the excellent car cover. Even when it's a chilly day the car is still warm inside. It's like a waterproof duvet lol. However the hood needs to go on...so here's the day 1 report of this. Firstly, the metal cover on top of the windscreen needs removing. So lots of drilling to get the rivets out and then screw in the internal latches. Then rivet the bloody thing back on. I really need a new one but for now this will do. Next attach the levers. I now realise that they are the wrong way round but I can swap them over easily enough. Tomorrow's job is gluing the front of the hood to the frame and then riveting the waterproof seal channels in. Wish me luck! Alex
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Post by JonW on Oct 7, 2022 5:24:06 GMT 1
Good Luck Alex!
(We wait with baited breath for the next instalment!)
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Post by donkeychomp on Oct 7, 2022 21:29:57 GMT 1
Best laid plans etc. Started off nice, got windy, then cold and windy, then rained. The weekend is meant to be sunny so I'll try tomorrow. One other issue is water spots on the bonnet and boot. T Cut does nowt so I did some Googling and found this... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254667967021Even watched a YT video and it seemed to be ideal. In fact it does NOTHING. I was furious and am returning this to the seller. Further investigations and it has a 1 star rating, so the lowest of the low. Another tip was white vinegar and distilled water. Nope. If anyone has any ideas about this I'd love to hear it. If not it's a blow over paint job on those 2 areas. Alex
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