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.

MARKING TIME

All of the paperwork has been collated, test and insurance certificates, registration douument for the donor bike, Certificate of Newness from Arthur, a Build Up Report, proof of identy, photograph, just to mention some of the paperwork required and it has now all been sent off to DVLA in Swansea. The waiting period to be issued with Registration documents, is four to six weeks and not quite 2 weeks into this period and I am getting impatient.

I removed that ugly grill the moment Marjorie was unloaded from Arthur's trailer and I handed it back to him. Since then Marjorie has been restored  to her pretest prettiness, with honky horn, spotlight and windscreens etc. being replaced. Before I refitted the luggage rack, I gave the hard wood supports fours coats of varnish and now they gleam, I also had some leather straps made up to give the illusion that the spare wheel and my wicker hamper were belted onto the car, rest assured, the hamper, like the spare wheel is securely fastened down, both belts just being for show.

From one of the Brookland silencers I pulled out about half of the fibre glass wadding.  I could see shards of glass glittering and dancing in the sunlight and was very glad I was wearing my face mask and gloves. I fitted that silencer onto the car and when I started her up I was surprised that the remaining Moto Guzzi silencer was still considerable louder than the Brookland can. I removed the can and pulled out more wadding, it looked  like, how you would expect witches hair to look like.There was now just about 1/4 of the original wadding left in the can. I refitted the silencer and again it was still quieter, but had a pleasant tone to it. I removed the same amount from the other silencer and when that was fitted a quick spin around the block proved that I still had full power for accelerating up the hill with only the slightest popping on the overrun and a small application of exhaust gloop around the connections with the side pipes, cured that completely.

I noticed during this run around the block that all of the instruments except the speedo were no longer correctly aligned. Off with the hatch at the back of the dashboard and I wiggled my fingers in to straighten and tighten then, the little gauges now all look right, but the tacho, although now firmly fixed, is still a degree or so out of alignment, I'm sure I'll be back behind the dash for something else before long and I will straighten it then. In the meantime the above photo is my driving view, hopefully it won't be much longer before I can really start to enjoy it.

MARJORIE STRIPPED FOR BATTLE

It was time to strip Marjorie of all her bling, off came the eagle mascot, horn, spotlight and headlight eyebrows, plus spare wheel, luggage rack, little Brooklands windscreens and the badges.

I then added the big safety grill that covers the whole front of the engine, and numerous bits of rubber trim and plastic nut and bolt covers, to ensure that there were no exposed sharp edges.

Arthur turned up bright and early on Thursday morning and we got Marjorie loaded on to the trailer and set off for the VOSA test center in Gillingham in Kent.

We arrived in plenty of time to unload and park Marjorie in a designated bay, before our scheduled 10 o'clock appointment. Arthur did a final check to ensure that we hadn't forgotten anything and his eagle eye spyed a bolt head that was missing a plastic cover, his large tool box provided the right size of plastic cover.

Adam the tester sauntered over and introduced himself and invited me to drive Marjorie over to one of the bays, One big problem, despite repeated jabs of the starter button, she wouldn't start and then we checked the fuel tap, it was turned off. This was not doing my nerves any good, but eventually we arrived in the designated bay.

All was going well until Adam asked me to operate the steering lock and it would not engage, a 'Show Stopper' apparently. Whilst Adam moved on to other areas, I removed the little panel behind the dashboard and realised that I hadn't tightened up the bolts that hold the ignition switch/lock onto the steering column. The heads of the bolts sheer off when fully tightened and I deliberately hadn't done so in case I had to remove the switch for one reason or another. With Arthur wriggling the steering wheel and me jiggling the switch/lock I was able to get the locking pin to engage with the slot in the column. I tightened the bolts and demonstrated to Adam that now the wheel locked when the key was removed and unlocked with the key in the ignition and Adam declared himself happy.

The only other problem was the upper straps to the seat belts, I had originally had them crossing over to the upper anchorage points, but Arthur said that on a previous test, the examiner had said that they could slip off the shoulder, so I had changed them around. Our tester said that such matters were at the discretion of each tester and after some deliberation he said he wanted them crossed over and when we done so, again he was happy.

At this point he said it was lunch time, but he was impressed with Arthur's build quality of the kit, welding etc. and I had done a proper job in putting it together and addressing all the safety issues. So far so good, just emission, brakes and noise to be tested.

After lunch it was a different bay and Adam waited whilst Marjorie warmed up before sticking a probe up her exhausts. Emission levels were fine. On the rolling road I had no idea what was going on, I just kept my eye on the computer screen and did as bidden. I had been worried about the handbrake test, but when I applied it as instructed, Marjorie shot back off the roller and Adam called out to let go, obviously handbrake was well up to it, as was the front brakes.

Just the noise test to go, I was asked to bring the revs up to three and half thousand revs, whilst Adam just stood and listened, no decibel meter required. A final nod from Adam and Marjorie had passed.

We loaded Marjorie back onto the trailer and I took a final photo of the huge and underused testing area, whilst Adam filled out the paperwork and came over and presented me with what looked just like the old MOT certificates, a shake of hands and we started our return journey back home. A celebratory glass beer before Arthur headed back to Sussex, where he would start to prepare the paperwork that I would need to get Marjorie registered and licenced, the final step to getting number plates made up and legally enjoying driving Marjorie down to a pub or two,