How to make a new House Name Sign

3 Replies

A bit of a diversion here.

For many years (14 actually) my house has sported a sign that was made for me by my late father-in-law:

This is painted onto a piece of mahogany (probably a bit of old furniture) but is now beginning to show signs of requiring a bit of a refurb.

So, need a piece of hardwaring wood (that’s oak then). This is a section of an old solid oak floorboard.

Cut to size, plane off the old varnish and it is beginning to look good.

Drill a couple of mounting holes.

Here’s the “logo”. This was originally found on a packet of Dovedale Blue cheese in Sainsburys. I can’t find anything more on it – can’t find the cheese any more either (shame – it was delicious!)

Blown up in Photoshop and printed onto two sheets of A4. Then cut out the letters to make a stencil.

This is a very important part of any creative process.

 

Stencil onto the oak.

Remove the paper stencil.

Paint in the letters

Beginning to look like a sign (at last)

One coat of coloured varnish.

The old and the new.

Job Done.

 

The old sign has been retired to the back garden – I was banned from throwing it out by my kids: “Grandad made that”

Old Bikes Never Die

1 Reply

… they just get used.

I could have titled this “Steve visits Steve” but Steve(2) is shy so I can only feature his bike.

This is a 1974 Honda CB500/4 that is used (almost) daily and has been maintained to do just that. You won’t find many NOS parts on this bike. Everything works (but may not be original), it is taxed and MOT’d.

And it sports a Scottoiler!

Here’s  the bike:

1974 Honda CB500-4

The modifications list reads like a 1970’s dream:

  • Laser 4-1 exhaust
  • Braided brake lines
  • Avon tyres
  • Pod filters

Here’s me (Steve) on the bike in the garden:

1974 Honda CB500/4 with Steve

Note the 2004 10th anniversary SOHC4.net t-shirt!

Triumph Speedmaster

1 Reply

Further to my recent tyre posting I dropped in to Bulldog Triumph this afternoon to ask the guys to order me a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres. These come highly recommended in sports touring circles so I thought I’d give Bridgestone a miss this time and try something different.

They had them in stock so I headed off on one of the shop bikes to kill a little time…

Triumph's small-bore custom cruiser

Boy is this different!

I’ve never ridden a cruiser before and this one was quite interesting. First of all, there’s a choke! (a what?). Then there’s the footpegs; they’re located where you’d normally find the radiator. The bars are w-i-d-e and pulled back.

Overall, not uncomfortable and does inspire a certain “Easy Rider”-type riding style. The bike only had 200 miles on the clock (and only 60bhp in total) so doesn’t encourage spirited riding. No doubt that you could: after 20 miles or so I started to lean it into roundabouts and started having fun.

Here’s the pilot’s view:

The most disappointing part of the entire package is the exhaust note. Those slash-cut silencers look the business but sound dreadful. My lasting impression was that it sounded like a Superdream (remember them?). It went about as well as a Superdream too.

Overall, a bit like the Bonnie that I tried a while back. Nice to cruise around on in the sunshine, but I wouldn’t want to ride one to Scotland.

Motorcycle Tyres – Should you be able to see the canvas?

Leave a Reply

Bit of a surprise this afternoon when I was cleaning my bike (first time since Christmas). I knew that my rear tyre was down to the wear marks and had been asking around for prices on a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2s as I’ve heard good things about them. I’ve had BT020, BT021 and BT023 up to now.

Fancy a change.

Soon.

Rear BT020

This is what they call "Part Worn" on eBay...

BT020 Rear

Is that canvas? Do they have canvas nowadays?

Cafes You Should Visit #3: Old Sarum Airfield

Leave a Reply

This is a great cafe (not to mention a stonking ride from Wokingham)

First impressions of the airfield are that it looks a bit like an industrial estate with a brand new housing development across the road. However, once into the little narrow roads between the old hangars, the view opens out to the vast green airfield, the cafe and a special bike park!

The cafe is really nice, drinks and hot food available 7 days per week.

The airfield offers light aircraft, helicopters, gyrocopters, micro-lights (and coffee)

Recommended.

Old Sarum Airfield Cafe

Here’s the Cafe. The sun came out shortly afterwards…

Old Sarum Airfield Cafe View of the Grass Runway and Parking Area

You are right next to the (aircraft) parking area.

Old Sarum Airfield Cafe Bike Park

There’s even a special bike park (Please keep off the grass…)  🙂

 

Here’s the view on Sunday 10th April:

Old Sarum Airfield Bike Park

A few more bikes there today...

How to change Mercedes SLK Boot Lid Gas Struts

7 Replies

I was dreading this job. I’ve owned the SLK for 5 years now and over that time the gas struts have degraded to such an extent that the boot lid would slam shut from fully open if you let go of it (and it’s heavy…)

I searched the various MB owners forums and found loads of posts saying how difficult it was and that it was a two man job (one to hold the boot lid open and force it up to relieve the tension on the strut, while the other removes and replaces said strut).

So here’s the low-down.

Firstly, move the car so that you don’t get wet (it was raining)

Next, tie boot lid to garage door using a bungie strap (now it’s a one man job!)

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Replacement

Make sure that the Boot Lid can't fall down when you remove the strut...

The struts are fixed to a ball joint (top and bottom) and held on by a spring clip.

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Replacement

Original (OEM) Top Fixing

 

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Replacement

Original (OEM) Bottom Fixing

Gently slide a screwdriver blade into the spring clip and pull the strut away.

Same with the bottom fixing.

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Replacement

It's easy with a screwdriver...

Take one new strut and offer up to the two ball joints

Hey! They match (thank God for that…)

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Replacement

Line up the new strut

Slightly different design but the same principle. Lever spring clip with screwdriver and drop onto ball joint.

Snap into place.

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Replacement

New strut fitted

Bin the old parts.

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Replacement

Mercedes SLK Gas Strut Retirement Home

The whole job (including moving the car) took me less than 10 minutes.

Eat your hearts out MB Forum members!

Cafes You Should Visit #2: Middle Wallop Airfield

Leave a Reply

This is another airfield (do you see a bit of a theme developing here), this time a large cafe right next to the Museum of Army Flying. The coffee is good, as are the all-day breakfasts.

This was recommended by one of the guys at Bulldog Triumph RAT. There are loads of great biking roads in the area.

Known as the Apache Cafe, it has a new (for 2011) outdoor seating area that gives good views over the airfield.

Balcony at Apache Cafe Middle Wallop Airfield

Next month – Old Sarum (another airfield…)

Spring is here!

Leave a Reply

Stardate 09-03-2011: 06:30am

If it’s 06:30 on a weekday then it must be dog-walk time. It’s been a long cold winter and am quite used to picking my way along the lane in the dark.

But wait a minute! What’s that funny red light in the sky?

Hah!  Soon we’ll be having sunny (biking) days…

Triumph Tiger 800XC

1 Reply

At last! A dry day and a couple of hours to spare! Out on the Bulldog demonstrator…

My first impressions were as to what a big bike this is. The 1050 that I rode a while back was the only bike I’ve ever ridden on which I couldn’t get both feet flat on the ground. This wasn’t that tall – but nearly.

A very imposing riding position compared to my Sprint, immensely confidence-inspiring handling and the ability to ride to an actual standstill without putting the feet down.

The standard can is a bit quiet – in fact I could hear Vincent’s 1050 (with can) behind me most of the time, over the engine whine of the 800. Plenty of power and the noise did get better higher up the rev range.

I wear an Arai. It’s not the quietest helmet in the world. The Tiger screen didn’t suit my height, riding position (or choice of helmet). At any speed over 50, the wind buffeting was quite severe. Funnily enough, it was no worse at 80!

All in all, a great bike and one that I’m sure will be very successful. Many of the people who’ve ridden both the XC and the road version say that they prefer the XC. I’ll just have to try won’t I?

 

Now, what was that about a 1200 Adventure??