Honda XR200 - First one

So, here's the result of the first one we tackled:-This one wouldn't start, and looked the worst of the two. So, we stripped off all the plastics, and took of the carburetor. I did my magic on the plastics, and between me and LuckyL we serviced the carb., sorted the spark plug, some odds and ends, and resprayed the frame, as well as the engine with heat resistant paint.

After the work!
Front view.Rear view.
Engine....

Now for the second one - Oh, and LuckyL has a buyer for this one - ZAR8k.... will still decide if we want to sell or not.

Salagatle!

CV joints and stuff

So, about 6 weeks ago, 17 July to be exact, I take the car in to a local franchise repair shop to have a new left front CV joint fitted (outer). I opted for new as opposed to reconditioned as new comes with 12 month warranty, recon only 3. And for a difference of ZAR200.00 I figured it worth it. So, yesterday driving home, this thing starts knocking. No sweat, this morning I take it back to the shop, they confirm it's faulty and will replace it free of charge. Hey, no sweat. It's right by my clients offices, so I can go call on them whilst I wait. t takes them about 2.5 - 3 hours. Mainly cause they are busy, and my car has to wait for a slot, and they have to go get a CV from their supplier. Anyway, just after lunch I go down, and they just refitting the wheel. I get in and reverse out of the workshop, and....
bang, the CV pops! Yup! They had to push the car back into the workshop, lifted it, and confirmed that they were supplied with the wrong CV joint. This is shorter than the one my car takes, so first time I turned the steering hard left, it slipped out!
Anyway, they went off to replace the unit, I went off for more coffee and client time, and by 1.30 pm it was ready. And now the car runs like a dream.
They did offer to do my wheel alignment for free, but methinks I might just give it a miss - not too sure I will be going back there again, unless this CV also packs up bvefore the warranty expires.....

Salagatle!

Who wants to be a Millionaire - Ireland

The Irish Millionaire

Mick, from Dublin , appeared on 'Who Wants ToBe A Millionaire' and towards the end of the program had already won 500,000 pounds.

You've done very well so far, said, Chris Tarrant, the show's presenter, but for a million pounds you've only got one lifeline left - phone a friend. Everything is riding on this question ...will you
go for it?

Sure, said Mick. I'll have a go!

Which of the following birds does NOT build its own nest?

A: Sparrow
B: Thrush
C: Magpie
D: Cuckoo

I haven't got a clue, said Mick, so I'll use me last lifeline and phone me friend Paddy back home in Dublin .
Mick called up his mate, and told him the circumstances and repeated the question to him.
Fookin hell, Mick! cried Paddy. Dat's simple, it's a cuckoo!
Are you sure?
I'm fookin sure.
Mick hung up the phone and told Chris, I'll go wit Cuckoo as me answer.

Is that your final answer, asked Chris.

Dat it is, Sir.

There was a long - long pause, and then the presenter screamed, Cuckoo is the correct answer! Mick, you've won 1 million pounds!

The next night, Mick invited Paddy to their local pub to buy him a drink. Tell me, Paddy, how in heaven's name did you know it was da Cuckoo that doesn't build its own nest?

Because he lives in a Fookin clock!

Salagatle!

2009 Aprilia RS125

Ok, so as per previous posts, I have bought this bike from the bike breakers shop. It's in very reasonable condition, and once repaired will sell for approx. ZAR45k.

Purchase price ZAR 18,000.00

Spares and repairs ZAR 12,000.00

As I found it at the shop. This is the damaged side

Another view of the damaged side

Apart from the obvious parts needing replacement, after we stripped it down at home we found that it also needed a radiator and a footrest bracket. I took these to the breaker shop, as I know they have another bike there they are breaking up. Turns out these two parts, as well as the lights / indicators switch assembly on the LHS handlebar were all in good condition.I had then stripped off, and the owner said I could have them for free! That's about ZAR12k worth!

View of the good side. Very nice machine

So, I stopped the order for the switch assembly that I had placed with Aprilia, and will await the rest of the stuff. Front fairing (excl. screen), LH side fairing, incl. top and scoop fairing. Gear lever. LH handle bar.

LuckyL has financed this deal, so he will pocket the profits, which he plans to use to buy another bike with, to fix up and sell. If he does this right, and does 1 bike a month, he can make a cool ZAR 80 - 100k in a year - tax free! And whats more he could be well on his way to starting a business of his own!

Bikes to keep an eye out for:-

125 cc for the school boys - every year there are a new bunch of wannabee bikers turning 16, and some will want a niche bike like the Aprilia, so we will do those, and others will want cheaper Honda / Yamaha / Suzuki, so if we find them we can build them.

The next level of interest is 600cc range. Those 125 riders will want to upgrade as soon as they turn 18. The sensible ones will opt for a 600cc, those who think they can ride well, and are invincible will go for 1000cc and bigger. Good luck to them.

But there is a good selection of 600cc available, and being Japanese (mostly) spares will be cheaper too.

So, thats it for now. More to follow.

Salagatle!