Somethings not right with the front end of Vincent
Some of ya like me may have a sixth sense or premonition that somethings not right !!
Plus its my weekly wonder around the bike, too look it over for loose nuts, and other small jobs I can get done
The bike is nearly in use 6-7 days a week now, sometimes only 20 miles a day, sometimes nudging nearer the 100 mile mark
The running on Premium Fuels is still working well
No Oil is used, so presume engine is running cooler
And a nice bonus so far, is instead of going on reserve at 68 miles, it has now increases to 75 miles
which in theory with reserve should give me around 120 - 130 miles to the tank
Right lets look at this front end !
Jacked it up, head bearings do not have any play or feel ruff or sound bad
Down to the wheel and after giving the wheel a real tugging, cant find any movement in wheel bearings, they appear to be running nice and smooth
But that 6th sense is still nagging me, so I order wheel bearings anyway !
Should be here for next wed or thurs
These old saddle bags !!
Its now time to repair all the bits, I didn't repair the last time !!
I am not sure if the leather is recoverable
As it don't look like its been looked after at any stage in its life
My plan is to use them till winter time and then I will see if I can find a good saddler and work out if cheaper to repair and revive or just buy new ones ?
This buckle looked and felt solid so it wasn't repaired when I did the rest a few weeks back
And this strap just to be different
mmmm gonna have too look at this to see how it all fits together
Dam it the rivets just too short and didn't catch all the bits
And I know these are the longest I have and can buy locally, so will have to measure up and see what I can find on Evil Bay
This other side is still solid
Went to pick Lynne up from Skool, and the front end still don't feel right
So we are carefully and slowly riding home, and the plan is to stop riding until I can investigate further !!
But on the last round about we both heard and felt a large snap, like a bolt shearing
We managed to stop just of the next junction to find the rear tyre flat
Neither of us had our phones on us, So Lynne walked just over 2 miles home and Micky brought her back.
Meanwhile A local Tractor Driver had seen Lynne walking and noticed her helmet and pulled over when he got to me and loaned me his phone to quickly phone the RAC
Unfortunately he couldn't stay as he was working, but a great help - Huge thanks m8 and I know we will meet on our bikes and go for a spin soon
Also so a huge thanks to everybody, that pulled over to make sure I was ok
Couple of bikers, Loads of local car drivers including some Polish, latvian's - If your reading this huge thanks
Whilst waiting for recovery, I noticed loads of spokes had snapped and some cracks on the wheel hub, so that explains the flat tyre then
Luckily for me Tears turned up with a flatbed and not a van as RAC's help desk don't believe ya when you say the bike cannot be towed or easily moved !!
ANy way like all the Tears drivers, he knew exactly what he was doing and discussed with me everything before he done anything
It took over 30 mins to get on the flatbed, and finally the driver was happy the bike was safe
Now the road to our house is not the best, in fact its like a bloody roller coaster from the 60s !!
So he said and kept apologising about his slow speed. I said your the driver and I am more than happy with the service hes providing
When we got back to ours, he even helped me get the bike down the passage ,
which was a real help.
More details n pics coming tomorrow as its pitch black out there
But looks like a new wheel time
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