Winter Projects

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

I’ve heard mention that Ford produced a few ‘improved’ iron manifolds for the Gp1 RS2000, but have I ever seen one or heard of one for sale....? No!

Even going back to the pre-crossflow days in the 60s, it was possible to get hold of stuff that was not available to buy from a Ford dealer's parts department.


Dagenham quality control used to pull items with better tolerances from the production line, and these were earmarked for competition use. "Good" blocks, for example, were destined for Lotus, whilst some of those and other bits and pieces would go to Boreham. And, then, some parts went missing.


It is said that at around that time that security was so lax at Dagenham that employees were pretty well taking enough parts through the gates in the boots of their cars to build a new car every day. A sieve would have leaked less!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

If I beat my age I’ll be happy....

And talking of Escorts, Canary is now fitted with an in date extinguisher and new belts, ready for Brands. Oil and filter changed, engine run and checked over, and all working fine! Found a bad contact in the rain light wiring, that’s all so far....

When are you at brands Mike?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Even going back to the pre-crossflow days in the 60s, it was possible to get hold of stuff that was not available to buy from a Ford dealer's parts department.


Dagenham quality control used to pull items with better tolerances from the production line, and these were earmarked for competition use. "Good" blocks, for example, were destined for Lotus, whilst some of those and other bits and pieces would go to Boreham. And, then, some parts went missing.


It is said that at around that time that security was so lax at Dagenham that employees were pretty well taking enough parts through the gates in the boots of their cars to build a new car every day. A sieve would have leaked less!

The story in your final paragraph could probably be told using alternative manufacturer names! Lotus come to mind immediately....

And talking of parts selection, I think the GA (or GAA if you prefer) engine blocks were specially selected from production. Then there was the Kent ‘AX’ block from South Africa that could be safely taken to 1850cc. Used in the World Cup Mexicos?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

When are you at brands Mike?

And delta! That’s the HSCC Indy meeting 22/23 Sept, when they are also celebrating the Escort 50th anniversary with specific races and displays...

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

The story in your final paragraph could probably be told using alternative manufacturer names! Lotus come to mind immediately....

When I worked on Coventry in the early 70s, I also did a part time job in a filling station........saw a few Triumph 2000s and Vitesses with surprisingly shiny blocks with a big blanking plate where the 2.5 PI pump would be....how the heck you smuggled a 6-pot block out I've no idea, but it seemed to be possible......

[Mike Harte]

I would hazard a guess that about a half of the engines or parts thereof in the mid 60s came from nefarious sources. Somebody would just say to you that I've got a brand new this or that sitting in the shed/garage and it's yours' if you cross my palm with silver.


Receipt? What's a receipt, guv'nor?

[Alan Morgan]

I've finished my winter project (well nearly - it needs bottle cages and mudguards).

[Peter Mallett]

Doesn't need mudguards

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Doesn't need mudguards

It does if you are not completely committed to getting covered in road dirt.


However, surely it needs a change of gear mechanism.


I saw this reported recently and thought it looked interesting.


https://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/...e-shaft-52587/


I think Alan would make a great test rider for it.

[Peter Mallett]

Pah! Mudguards are for whimps.

[Alan Morgan]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Pah! Mudguards are for whimps.

If I was on my own I'd just use an ass saver but if you're riding in a group in unpleasant conditions it's not nice to get mud, grit and used horse food in your face because the person in front has chosen not to be a whimp.

The device Grant has flagged up is interesting. It's being promoted by a ceramic bearing company and uses at least 26 ceramic bearings - quelle surprise!

It also suffers from the unfortunate feature of the "gear teeth" facing outwards, ready to slash the calf of anyone unfortunate enough to have a crash.

I'm new to cycling but thoroughly enjoying it. I'm amazed by how cheap good quality engineering is. The bike in the picture was built from a mixture of parts I had, second hand Ebay purchases, some cheap Chinese carbon fibre parts and a new aluminium frame with carbon forks that cost £108. The whole thing owes me about £350 and weighs 8.3Kg.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

If I was on my own I'd just use an ass saver but in a group in unpleasant conditions it's not nice to get mud, grit and used horse food in your face because the person in front has chosen not to be a whimp.

Difficult to post pics from a phone but all of that plus rat pee is available here.


No mudguards. But I tend to agree, that line of black stuff isn't attractive.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

If I was on my own I'd just use an ass saver but in a group in unpleasant conditions it's not nice to get mud, grit and used horse food in your face because the person in front has chosen not to be a whimp.

Very nice looking machine Alan! Mudguards ruin any bikes looks but sometimes you have to be sensible- especially in the winter......

I remember many many moons ago a mate and me tagging onto the local CTC group evening ride. For anyone that doesn’t know, CTC stands for ‘Cyclists’ Touring Club’, and so the members cycles tend to be optimised for touring- including being fitted with mudguards. Well, our bikes were not so equipped, and of course it rained, and we were extremely unpopular! Suffice to say that we weren’t invited to ride with them again....

[Alan Morgan]

I agree about mudguards ruining the look of a bike. I'm planning on fitting some that will be easily removable.

Took it out for a quick 10 mile shakedown today. I can't believe how smooth it feels, despite 23c tyres.

[Peter Mallett]

Good man

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

I can't believe how smooth it feels, despite 23c tyres.

This brings back to the power to weight ratio.
Really nice bike you built but the frame should be named. May I suggest something like Charade Chpezial or Black Carrot ?
While you are here, you could use one of the new electronic shifting system. It brings nothing, could add some unwanted technical issues, be sensible to crashes, not really aesthetic…*In modern language its a must!

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

I agree about mudguards ruining the look of a bike. I'm planning on fitting some that will be easily removable.

I have some easily removable guards on my elderly Raleigh Trail bike - never used these days.

Cheap, light, easily fitted and removed and do the job.

I can't recall when it was I bought the bike. Must be 30 years ago - maybe more (shudders to think about that!). Does that make it Historic? It must be close to qualifying as a barn find these days.

Would I benefit from new tyres? (I know the engine could benefit from a significant rebuild ...).

Meanwhile ...



Watch out for large trucks related to building projects.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

This brings back to the power to weight ratio.
Really nice bike you built but the frame should be named. May I suggest something like Charade Chpezial or Black Carrot ?
While you are here, you could use one of the new electronic shifting system. It brings nothing, could add some unwanted technical issues, be sensible to crashes, not really aesthetic…*In modern language its a must!

But do you buy the shifting system before or after the 2 sets of Lycra uniform?

[Alan Morgan]

the frame should be named

It does have a name - Brand X

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/b...ce_reviews_tab

[mstets]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

I've finished my winter project (well nearly - it needs bottle cages and mudguards).

Looks like a nice build, 6800? Can't ID the the frame but so many these days.

Should have read to the end of the thread I guess....

[Gerard C]

Surprised you buy through a french website though. Do they sell side bumpers together with mudguards? Something like two mudguards bought, one side bumper free!
Grant, I've been told by US chaps that WD could help preserve your knees almost as new, no need o consider a rebuild. Not tested yet…

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Surprised you buy through a french website though. Do they sell side bumpers together with mudguards? Something like two mudguards bought, one side bumper free!
Grant, I've been told by US chaps that WD could help preserve your knees almost as new, no need o consider a rebuild. Not tested yet…

WD40 Gerard?


Hmm.

I used some the other day. Both of my spray cans seem to have rather leaky outlets so I ended up with hands covered in the stuff. No positive results noticed in terms of improved articulation. In fact the opposite today although I do not claim any causation.

I do have a protector for the rear gearset on bike. I think it has been useful once or twice over the years.

Looking around on the internet last night I noticed how seemingly sophisticated (and expensive) some of the braking systems have become.

The best brake I can remember having on a bike was my first "proper" bike at age 8 or 9 iirc (I was still using it when I left school).

Bought in Germany it had only a single gear ratio but a back-pedal brake which was brilliant and great fun for skids.

The tyres were some sort of beige coloured rubber-like material and quite wide compared to a typical British bike but lasted quite a long time - I never saw a need to try to change them. That was despite running a friction dynamo for the lights against the side wall of the front tyre.

Front brake was a joke - a rubber block that acted directly onto the tyre are it passed through the forks. But then with such a great rear brake it was hardly of any concern.

Presumably back-pedal brake technology is not compatible with any form of multiple gear ratios?

Ah, memories, memories.

[Peter Mallett]

Here's mine.

[Mike Harte]

That seat appears mightily uncomfortable!

[Peter Mallett]

It is but I changed it for a gel seat.