Bought for pennies in 1985 as a "8
previous owners" vehicle with just about everything
falling apart.
In 1985 it was rebuilt with many new parts, then used
as a general hack. The intention was to use the bike
just over the fields and as a commuter bike I could
leave at work when I went away for weeks at end.
It has suffered many stages of abuse, acquiring the
dubious name of "The Nail" because of the many
hammerings it has taken. Maintenance was minimal, and
despite it all - it stayed in one piece. It died in 1999
with a seized engine (the autolube cable snapped). It
was rebuilt over a period of 9 months in 2004/5, delays
in getting parts was the issue... Its now running and is
almost back to new!
After a bearing failed, the engine was again completely
rebuilt (Apr 2007). In this 'incarnation' I have pushed
the boat out and really spent some time with the little
details... and it IS like new! In fact, better than new.
I acquired a substantial amount of surgical grade
stainless nuts, bolts, screws & allen bolts... So,
every sensibly changeable nut, bolt and screw has been
changed to stainless :)
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