Sunday ride

 July 20th

First trip out since based in Hove, a pleasant trip up to Henfield followed by a blatantly exhibitionist bimble along the sea front.  20 miles or so, good for the soul.

Spark Plug Wars (again)

 11 May 2025

Time for a Sunday spin while the weather is so lovely.  Started on the button, but spluttered and died after 50 yards.  Would not restart.  Rolled back to the garage, checked for sparks (earth to engine) all very bright both sides.

Reflecting on previous similar issues, located two new plugs from spares box and put these in (same type, BP6ES).

Instant start, followed by faultless 25 mile run.  

Also noted that chokes not needed after less than a mile.  Unlike previous plugs, engine only ran off choke once really warmed up.

1975 - 2025

April 2nd

T3 makes 2025 debut out on the South Downs, about 20 miles up to Steyning and return.  Stiff easterly wind but a good run out.

Took a long time to come off choke, about three miles or so before the motor was happy off choke.

Selfie mode

Hence blurry

320 miles south

 April 1st 2025

Feeling a bit foolish but decided to do a little job - drained the T3 tank and put petrol into the TT.  Reserve measured at over 4 litres.  Bought new petrol canister and refilled with 5 litres 95.

Bike now comfortable in more secure accommodation, the garage features a ground lock that blocks the door with something beefy. Not bomb proof but much better than the built in locking handle.

Will take it out this week while the weather is good.

New home following move down south start of December.

Transatlantic Flying Visit

 27 September

George arrives on lightning tour, a spot of lunch an a beer at number 22, then the Nick Lowe show in Sunderland, weather a carbon copy of the hellacious conditions at the Stadium of Light, at least this show was indoors.

Nick delivers the goods.

George collects the goods

A garage find to smuggle back into the States.

Outside the Guzzilab.  

Everybody happy!

Oil check and breather pipe fix.

 August 6th

Seems to be less of a g/box smell since I re-routed the g/box breather a month ago.  Removed the starter motor to find a big kink in the pipe and a resulting split - cut it down and refitted to make sure minimal interference with starter motor body and extended the tube out to past the pillion seat by the rear mudguard.

Cleaned and polished bevel box, looks more like it now.

Checked bevel level on main stand added 30cc EP90 to start to see flow from the level hole.

Gearbox oil level - non required.

Engine oil - 300cc added to get to half way mark on dip stick (screwed in)

Team Valley Tune Up

 June 25th 2024

Collected the T3 from Turbopacs at Team Valley.  

https://dragonmotorbikes.co.uk/

Left it with them last week.  They offer a range of car and bike services, and use a dyno for measuring bike output.  Thought it might be useful to have the bike put on the dyno to see where it was at versus specifications.  However they also offered to fettle the carbs apparently their specialist is a bit old school and likes to put a good old un to rights.  Spoke to him (Ian) he seemed to know his stuff and is currently rebuilding his Ducati 900SS (owned from new in 1980) so we share some common legacy I guess.  First impression was it's definitely too rich.

Anyhow he's changed the pilot, main jet and and atomiser to the settings below.  And also adjusted float height and an inlet valve clearance.  Balanced carbs.  

Ride home about 35 miles, mix of dual carriageway, country and suburban.  Results summarised.

Tick over - regular not lumpy

Pick up -    Better, less snatchy

Pulling -    about the same

Running -  a bit smoother 

Back at Home

Carb balance - checked with Morgan gadget - spot on.

Took out plugs when cooled down.  

Pictured below.

RH looks good

LH a bit dark, does that cylinder run cooler?

But both way better than previous dark and slightly sooty.

54.8 HP at 6000 rpm

61.5 ft.lb at 3200 rpm

All in all at £336  I think value for money for a sweet running motor and more confidence that it is going as well as can be, and certainly better than I'd ever managed after several summers of fiddling about with limited success.

Finally the manager there (Marc) reported that the Big G had been much admired by customers over the last week, nice to know.