BOGGED DOWN

Good Friday was as good a day for a ride out in Marjorie as ever there would be and Jacquie was happy to fill the co-pilots seat. So happy in fact that she took several photos from that position.

There was a compromise, naturally, we needed to stop at a local Sainsburys supermarket and then a garden centre before the ride proper could start, fair enough.

However when I went to start Marjorie after visiting the garden centre, she wouldn't until I pulled the choke out, then she roared into life at full throttle. I immediately turned off the ignition and after a little head scratching realised the left carburetter barrel was jammed fully opened, releasing the slotted nuts at the top of the carb with the screw driver blade of my Swiss Army knife allowed the barrel to spring into the closed position and then the car started normally with a steady tickover. I can only think that whilst we were both in the garden centre, somebody had climbed aboard and rammed his foot down on the throttle thus jamming the left carb open, who knows!

Of course by now we had collected a small crowd of interested onlookers, and as we set off we waved goodbye. All was fine now for the next ten miles or so until we reached a stretch of dual carriageway which allowed me to overtake a coach I had been following for a while. Kids waved from the window of the coach as we whizzed by, the only problem was that when I pulled back into the nearside lane and took my foot of the throttle, we just kept going, the left throttle had obviously stuck open again.

I had to pull of the road just before a roundabout, unfortunately onto gravel and I knew this would be problematic, but I had no choice. The carb was sorted in a moment, but when I tried to drive away, we were going nowhere, the back end had sunk down into the gravel, level with the body of the car. I called my breakdown service who said they would organise a truck, but I would have to pay them directly as I wasn't covered for bog down only breakdown.

Fortunately a good Samaritan motor cyclist stopped and was insistent that we would be able to bounce her out. We did, first to the left an inch at a time, until we could fill the hole that Marjorie had dug and then to the right until the back wheel was on the tarmac and I could reverse back on the carriageway. Thank you to the White Knight on the Bike and happily Jacquie was not discouraged by this incident.

The carburetter problem has been resolved and we drove out yesterday to meet some friends at a pub in Reigate, with Duggie this time. We thought we should properly equip him with a pair of goggles as  he loves to have his head out in the airflow as he sits on Jacquie's lap.. I had an in expensive pair of goggles, Jacquie shortened the straps and with one strap under his chin and the other behind his ears they were obviously a very comfortable fit as he didn't try to remove them and very fetching he looks too.

ANNIVERSARY RUN

It was yesterday, Monday 8th Februray 2016, that I remembererd that it was twelve months ago, two days previously. on Saturday 7th February 2015 that Marjorie was launched. A video of the launch was put onto YouTube, that video has now had over four thousand viewings, not all of them mine.

It took another five months before Marjorie was licenced, although she was ready for the road in April and passed her big test in May, but then there was that final, frustrating ten weeks to get DVLA to issue the licence.

Still all that is behind us now and on her 1st birthday (although I didn't realise at the time) I took a nearby chum for a run out, the roads were just about dry, but it was very windy, Imogen was making herself felt, but my chum Richard thoroughly enjoyed the ride and took several short video clips from the passenger seat. So almost exactly one year from the realease of Marjorie's first video, here is the link to her 1st Birthday video.


http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-MhbF7zc3k43jlkfshRMKhzQXTSQX7pv

Should you have nothing better to do then click on the above, if that doesn't work, which is quite possible, I am no expert in these matters, just get into YouTube and search for MACS MORGAN. 
 

BRIGHTON

As I said in my last post, I had a yearning to see the sea, so much so that I spelt seafront with two E's.

My online weather forecast continued to say that last Thursday was going to be bright and sunny with 8 deg temperatures. Normally Thursday in grandchildren day, but that was being changed to Friday this week, to accommodate an  excited little lady who was going to be six on that day. Jacquie had made a luncheon arrangement with some girl friends so it seemed the perfect opportunity.

I decided to stick a minimum tool kit in the hamper, on the basis, if you've got  it, you won't want it, donned my original, padded Belstaff motorbike over trousers, leather jacket, white scarf, Biggles helmet and goggles and off I set. I had decided not to go down the M23, but halfway down the Caterham bypass everything came to a stop. Road works!!!! It took 45 minutes to get to the traffic lights and roundabout. Fortunately I was able to cut the engine, sit in the sunshine and every now and then let the handbrake off and coast down a couple of car lengths. By the time I had reached the roundabout, I had enough poodling about, so I took the entrance onto the M25 and one junction later I was on the M23 heading South into the bluest sky and brightest sunshine I had seen for ages.

Marjorie more than held her own on the motorway, middle lane, speedo showing plus 80 mph all the way, which is nearer a real 75mph and soon a big sign saying BRIGHTON 22  whizzed past. Marjorie still has a tendency to wander at that speed, so no relaxing at the wheel, tyre pressure is 18 psi, maybe I will try it a bit lower, but in truth, I am not often going to be on a motorway and up to an indicated 70 she is very steady.

I parked on Madeira Drive, acknowledging the few pointed fingers, cameras and thumbs up on the way through Brighton Town. Madeira Drive is the traditional end for the London to Brighton Rally and is used for many other car and bike related events, so it seemed appropriate to park there, although the famous Victorian cast iron, fretwork arches were screened off for repair.

 

 

 

There was a surprising number of people on the beach as I walked down to the forlorn remainder of the West Pier, in such contrast to the Brighton Pier, which I always thought used to be called Palace Pier. I lunched in the lanes and after filling Marjorie's tank we headed back home via Lewes and wonderful bendy country roads, untill we joined the A22, the  Eastbourne to London road at Forest Row. The weather was still good, but these roads still held plenty of water from the recent rain and now Marjorie is in need of a serious wash and brushup.

No problems at all except the tacho has worked loose, the speedo did some while back, so I know how to stop that happening again. I was a bit stiff when I climb out, but well chuffed with the longest run todate, not sure that I would want to go much further, but my back and legs straightened out when I took the dog for a walk around the block.

BRRR BRRR

Obviously Marjorie hasn't been out and about much recently, but we did join in the London to Brighton Veternan Car Rally, on Sunday 1st November. With Jacquie by my side I sneaked into the parade at Purley, on a classic misty November morning, but at least it was dry. We planned to meet up with Jacquie's sons inlaws at Hooley, in their lovely red Triumph TR3a, a slight hiccup there, but we got together a bit further up the A23

We rejoined the procession of cars, ancient and modern, acknowledging the cheers, handclaps, smiles and thumbs up, on the way, well  I assumed they were meant for Marjorie and I responded with lots of parp parps from my hooter.

It was very slow going as anybody who had any kind of car that they wanted to show off, had joined the cavalcade and it must have been hard work for the seriously old veterans.

We continued almost to Crawley, before we bailed out and found a pub for lunch, before heading back home. A good day in good company, what fun.

The third Saturday in the month is now sacrascant, there is a breakfast meet at a the Botley Hill Pub, not far from me and gradually a few more cars and drivers show up, about fifteen or so. On the 16th of January it was only the true enthusiast who showed up as the temperature was below freezing, but clad in my ski thermals Marjorie and I ventured out as soon as the sun was above the horozion.

Only about seven cars this day and just one other driver who kept his roof down, at least his car had a heater. Interesting cars and owners and a lively discussion was had over sausage or bacon baps in the Sheep Shed at the side of the car park; the pub not opening for breakfast during January.

 As you can see it was a seriously cold day, but Marjorie fired up on the first jab of the button. I had put a few pounds into each tyre the previous day and considering the state of the road, she felt well planted, I can't wait for more pleasant driving condition and I think Brighton seefront is calling.

THE GREAT COVER UP

Marjorie has lived up to all of my expectations. I have now covered about four hundred miles since she went for her MOT back in mid April, not that much really, but enough to know that she is completely reliable.

The sensitive steering issue was resolved by reducing the air pressure in the front tyres, just under 20psi and she now tracks steadily.

The other issue was 'To use the fuel pump, or not to use the fuel pump'. With a full tank there was sufficient head to give an adequate fuel supply at all throttle positions, without the use of the pump.  Anything less than half a tank. I needed the pump, otherwise the engine would fluff on full throttle. I nearly always prod the throttle pedal when changing down to smooth out the changes, but with clutch depressed on coming to a standstill there was always the possibility that the engine would cut out. The pump was definitely over fuelling, particularly the left carb, I think the fuel pressure would overcome the float pressure on the needle valve and flood the carb, if I remembered I would switch off the pump and hopefully remember to switch back on as I accelerated away.

 

Now with the regulator fitted and set to 1.5 bar and the pump permanently switched on, absolutely no problem. No matter what speed I slow from, the engine settles into a steady tick over. Should I inadvertently stall the engine, the engine restarts immediately, it is now very reassuring in traffic and no sign of fuel starvation at continuous high speed. It took a bit of re-routing of the fuel line and the pump is now bolted down to the top of the electric box, but should I need to access the box it would only need the fuel line to be disconnected between the pump and the fuel tap.

So many people have said 'Don't paint her, she looks great as she is' I decided to take that advice, but instead to have a tourneau cover made.

Brendan at Oxted Trimmers discussed the best way to fit the cover and sent me away with a couple of dozen pegs that the 'lift the dot' fasteners would clip over and advise as to the position and spacing of the pegs.

I used making tape to to help me mark out the position and used riv-nuts to screw the pegs into the fibre glass and the ali side panels. A week or so later I drove Marjorie back over to Oxted and left her for the day, on my return there she sat with her cockpit tightly cocooned in black mohair.

The very next day I went to visit a chum to see his latest acquisition, a JBA Falcon Sport and was invited in for coffee when it started to rain. When eventually I left, after unzipping the drivers side of the cover, I had a lovely dry cockpit to slip into.

I am not sure how many fine, dry days are left to enjoy Marjorie this year, but at least if it does rain whilst we are out, the cockpit will be dry when it stops raining and it's time to go home.

LEGAL AT LAST

TUESDAY 14TH JULY, was not a Red Letter Day, more a brown envelope one, that the postman pushed through the letter box. Very welcome it was though, as the envelope contained my new Registration Document upon which was the all important new, age related, N prefixed, registration number.

Without any delay I was down to the local car spares shop,excitedly waving my new pink document, at everyone I knew on the way. I soon returned with the newly made plates which just as quickly were attached to the front and rear of the car, The Marjorie plate, being placed on one side, just to be used at car shows and the like. There is much discussion as to whether vehicles registered as tricycles actually need to carry a front registration plate, but as my car has a panel that covers the steering rack, that is exactly the same size as a number plate, it looks a bit bare without a plate upon it and although I might get away with not displaying a plate, I think that the MARJORIE one would definitely cause a problem.

Whilst impatiently waiting for this all important document I had the front wheels properly tracked to the recommended 1.5 deg toe in on each wheel. I also made up, four 2in risers, in 1 x 1/4in mild steel strip, to fit between the top of the two rear shock absorbers and their brackets, thereby increasing the ground clearance at the rear to that at the front. Having fitted then and carried out a short illegal road test I was very happy with the outcome and was about to remove them for painting when I became legal. I decided to forget the painting, that could wait to the long winter months, instead lets do some proper, wind in the hair road testing and I headed out to my nearest stretch of de-restricted road, this was better, but the engine was still struggling once I got over 50MPH.

The next day I decided to pull the remainder of the fibre glass wadding from both exhaust cans and as before I wore mask and gloves whilst doing this. To be expected the resulting noise from the Brooklands cans was a real blat, but what a difference. The next time I did the same run, she blatted up through the gears and the only thing that stopped me from heading towards 70MPH was the lightness of the steering. I think in part, this is something that I will get used to, but I have been advised that maybe adjusting the tracking to a slight toe out will address this issue, we shall see, but what fun!!!!.

To my surprise, I was told on Friday last that there was to be a Classic Car and Bike show at the local Warlingham Rugby Club on Sunday. I didn't expect to be able to get there as we had chums coming for lunch, sadly for them, they were hideously delayed by an accident on the M23 and they only arrived in time for dinner. Happily this gave me a window to drive up in Marjorie and certainly if people didn't see me arriving they certainly heard me. This was the first show organised here and it was superb, so many cars, trucks and bike and such a variety.

Two of my photos shows a Cobra and an old Chrysler, they were parked side by side, what a contrast. There was always a crowd around Marjorie taking her photo and my day was made when a young lad said that 'my car was the coolest thing there'.

ON SHOW

The Croydon Classic Car Show, organised by the Croydon Whitgift Rotary Club and held at the Rotary Field in Purley, Surrey on Sunday the 21st June, This date has been my aiming point, since I was invited to enter Marjorie over a year ago.

I thought I had plenty of time to finish the build, pass the MOT and MSVA tests and get Marjorie registered before the show. Having posted off all the required documentation to DVLA on May 5th and allowing the four to six weeks that DVLA said was the time required for registration, I thought 'no problem', how wrong I was. After three frustrating, weekly chase up calls, on the 19th June a letter dated the 10th arrived from DVLA, stating that to process my application they required my license fee. A positive move at last, but we are now entering the seventh week and obviously it is going to be a while before registration is complete.

 
However I was not going to let this situation stop me from driving a little over the one mile to the showground and at 9.30 am I was waved into my designated spot sandwiched between three Teal Bugatti's and a trio of Riley's

Jacquie did join me in Marjorie for the cavalcade around the ground, but thought she was better suited behind the wheel of a Lamborghini or one of the Buggatti's. I had during the last few weeks done several finishing touches, like the MARJORIE front number plate and the 'SuperSport' insignia at the rear. Marjorie was much admired, but the one comment that was repeated many time over, was, "Don't paint her, she looks great as she is". I think I will take that advise and save a chunk of money.

There was one other three wheeler, a Citroen engined Lomax, at the show and I was very impressed with a shortend MINI.

Jacquie, Duggie the dog and several chums enjoyed the very well organised event, as did many others, especially as the weather was much better than forcasted  Whilst we waited in the car to join the cavalcade, Jacquie took several short video clips, but most were over the 100MB maximum allowable size and as I have yet to learn how to edit a video, I have just loaded up this little clip as a taster.

 
With Duggie on Jacquie's lap we all drove the short trip home and Jacquie's response, when asked, was "That was fun, not at all scary" and Dug obviously enjoyed the wind in his hair experience, a very good end to an exciting first day out with Marjorie.