Hi everyone, here's wishing you all a healthy 2020 with lots of Z enjoyment.
It's been another year of 'garage frustration' where I have lots of jobs to do on my two Zeds but no space to work on them. I made a compromise when I bought my new house 38 years ago and have lived with it ever since. I only have a single garage into which I can 'push' a Zed but not work on it. I can't even open the car door fully so most jobs have to be done on the drive and over the years I have done many, many major jobs this way.
Anyway if we have a dry year in 2020 I'll 'crack-on'. However as you get older your 'productivity' reduces so be warned - don't save anything big, or start anything big unless you are confident of finishing it. I was far more productive with my hobby when I was working full-time with 3 kids than I am now (nearly 68). Be warned.
Both of my cars run and drive, in fact I was out in the Samuri a couple of days ago - I like to keep them that way.
One thing I can do is 'bench work' so I've spent some time rebuilding a set of Dellorto 40DHLA carbs I picked up from a member. They required a complete strip-down to the very last 'ball bearing' because they had been 'glass blasted' complete and were full of the stuff. I'm confident they are excellent now and I have learned a lot about them - I read the Des Hammill book whilst abroad in the sun.
I've also rebuilt my 'Hitachi 3 screw' carbs on my blue 240. Some of you may remember I had to strip one carb down at the side of the road when on my way to the Gold Cup last year! For reference the 'posts' that the float hinges from is a different height for the front and rear carb. This is normal - I thought I had an 'unmatched' pair.
Hopefully in 2020 I'll finish my wiring upgrade on the blue car (should have removed the dash really) and maybe sell it to a guy who wants it. Then my Sam can get the garage space instead of being under 3 covers!
All the best for 2020, Rob
It's been another year of 'garage frustration' where I have lots of jobs to do on my two Zeds but no space to work on them. I made a compromise when I bought my new house 38 years ago and have lived with it ever since. I only have a single garage into which I can 'push' a Zed but not work on it. I can't even open the car door fully so most jobs have to be done on the drive and over the years I have done many, many major jobs this way.
Anyway if we have a dry year in 2020 I'll 'crack-on'. However as you get older your 'productivity' reduces so be warned - don't save anything big, or start anything big unless you are confident of finishing it. I was far more productive with my hobby when I was working full-time with 3 kids than I am now (nearly 68). Be warned.
Both of my cars run and drive, in fact I was out in the Samuri a couple of days ago - I like to keep them that way.
One thing I can do is 'bench work' so I've spent some time rebuilding a set of Dellorto 40DHLA carbs I picked up from a member. They required a complete strip-down to the very last 'ball bearing' because they had been 'glass blasted' complete and were full of the stuff. I'm confident they are excellent now and I have learned a lot about them - I read the Des Hammill book whilst abroad in the sun.
I've also rebuilt my 'Hitachi 3 screw' carbs on my blue 240. Some of you may remember I had to strip one carb down at the side of the road when on my way to the Gold Cup last year! For reference the 'posts' that the float hinges from is a different height for the front and rear carb. This is normal - I thought I had an 'unmatched' pair.
Hopefully in 2020 I'll finish my wiring upgrade on the blue car (should have removed the dash really) and maybe sell it to a guy who wants it. Then my Sam can get the garage space instead of being under 3 covers!
All the best for 2020, Rob
