The BSA B31 that time forgot. Part 21.

 Greetings from 'The Old Sidevalve Bar'. Well not exactly 'cos the building was last year reduced to rubble. No need to cry dear readers 'cos your Uncle Albert is busy building a bigger and stronger replacement. A bit like 'The Three Pigs' where the sensible piggy built his house out of bricks...and Mr wooolerf couldn't blow it down. Yep, old Alb is building 'The Old Side Valve Bar 21st century version political proof.. No chance of hurty words or strange cultures getting over an extremely high doorstep or through a very robust door. 

Enough of the technicalities of this almost atomic proof building as I don't want the details falling into 'woke' hands. 

Let me tell you I've done a teeeeeny-weeeeny bit of work on Lovely Maroon. The BSA that time forgot.

My guess is you'll say Albert my dear fellow, you know how to waste time...This is the finite example! It's not time wasted to me. I've fabricated.(or should I say Ive carpentered) an internal box to fit inside the Lucas battery box replica to stop the modern 6V 4.5A battery from rattling around. Other lesser chaps will probably use ty-wraps and bubble wrap.. but those that care and take pride in doing their best will relate. Which is what I try do....made it mi-sen oot of mahogany, part of a wood pile inherited many years ago. Who could have thought what this ancient piece of Swietenia macrophylla was gonna be used for....now we know.

Cut, glued and then sand papering to within an inch of it's life it would have been rude not to apply several coats of luscious yacht varnish to add old skool to even more old skool. 

Job done. Think it may be 3 months thoroughly drying the many coats, but should last forever.

Stay safe....say nowt.....write nowt......and certainly believe nowt ya either hear or read.. 

Keep looking into 'Crackleports Scribblingtons'. For they are the last refuge of truth and honour. 

The BSA B31 that time forgot. Part 20.

What's happening peeps? Is there anyone still out there? Albert here. Last post December '23, that's two years ago, I could have been on a prison sentence or sailing the seven seas but no it turned out to be worse, in fact way more worsera. I've been over in the 'Dark Side'. Yes in a mistaken believe that my jottings would project beyond infinity. But nay and thrice nay they lay there unappreciated and in bad company. Housed between political bullshit and postings of hooded scallys on e-bikes baiting P.C. Plod. Yes you guessed it, Meta Facebook, a toilet for digital waste. I can only apologise for the error of my ways. Hopefully I'll be able to resurrect my sleeping blogs and continue with the jottings of your Uncle Alb like in the old days. First thing noticed since I've logged on is the old blogs are locked and only readable on line. Secondly my type face is locked also in some sort of old fashioned typewriter style.....will it be readable when posted? Best bit...think we are below radar contact of the 'Free Speech Police' Keep ya fingers crossed, or it's another 2 years away. So, I used to comment on french sausage wars and Bumbling Boris. Chuffin 'ell who would have thought the country would be now run by the weakest arsehole ever and the french sale of rubber boats and outboard motors would reach into the million. Come on in! There's hospital beds for ya all!!! Hotels too!!!...clean sheets and meals thrown in!!!!! So while the rubber boat people crisis is ongoing the BSA B31 build has been ongoing too. (Not at the same pace unfortunately) But here's what ya all came for - A BSA progress report- The main engine parts now as one and sitting in between the mounting plates I ordered an exhaust system from one of the well known manufactures in the UK. It took my fancy because they were offering a complete stainless set up. Oh my...it fit where it touched. Pointing skywards unless misaligned on the exhaust port. After much checking and measuring I reported back to the supplier my thoughts. Fabrication Guy -"It's made on our original jig...one we've used since the beginning of time." Alb - "The pipe only fit's into the head 2mm.... and on a slant"!!! Fabrication Guy - "It will be ok" Alb - "Foookin no way....It'll draw that much air on the overrun I'll be entering the 'World Backfire Championship' An offer for me to mark where it was suspect and return for rework was accepted but on return I doubt any modification was done. Returned again and money refunded thankfully. 'Cos the lady in sales was so pleasant I'm loathe to name and shame..it's just the fabrication guys who need to step it up a bit. Replacement sourced from 'Feked' in chrome unfortunately but fit spot on.....Yeh, knew I was right..Can't pull woolly stuff over your Uncle Alberts eyes...far too wise for cheeky young pups. Can't better 'Rack oft eye' (If of course ya know how to use it) for engineering micro-measuring. Beer report (cos there always was one)- Bloooomin' overflowing flagons Batman. After finding a source of real live growing hops not 2 miles away All in full view of those that don't know any better too, the old boiling kettle has been going full steam......So without further ado...It's beer o'clock somewhere so catch ya all later. Can I just add it's good to be back among friends........