|
CHAPTER
FOUR - 19
Sorry, I was getting
carried away there, Lets go back to the part where you push down with
your leg, the kick start lever reaches the bottom of its stroke and---
nothing happens, so without worrying too much I try again - nothing
again. One thinks, oh well it’s the first time trying to start the
engine and its bit stiff.
I kick again, still
nothing, again, again and again, nothing not even a sign of starting.
After five minutes of this the old leg muscles are starting to feel like
they are running a marathon, and bordering on ‘old fart’ syndrome, I
rest for a while with the excuse of thinking why it won’t start, and
after five minutes or so the leg is starting to come back to life I try
it again, still nothing. This carries on for some time and now
desperation starts, what can I do, check that everything is correct,
fuel, battery, take out the plugs and move the engine around, yes -
there’s a spark there, not incredibly bright, as I am using the 6 volt
system, but its there. I reset everything and try again, nothing.
An hour passes trying
several adjustments and the legs are now very close to collapse, I
decide to squirt fuel straight through the carburettors and into the
valve area, not too much mind you just enough to give it some
encouragement.
The day I tried to
start the engine was nice and sunny and quite warm for a winters day,
the garage door was open and my neighbours were out inspecting there
gardens after some weeks without any attention. I live in one of those
sleepy little Wiltshire villages where the sound of squabbling geese 5
doors down evokes conversation at the Sunday church meeting where vital
information on the ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ scheme is passed around to the
relevant parties. Anyway, old Mr Guy across the road was carefully
brushing the leaves from his borders on this peaceful Sunday morning,
and there was I with my bike, now primed for one final attempt at
starting. I pushed the kick start lever with all the effort my leg could
muster, at the same time I opened the throttle as wide as it could go.
There was one almighty BANG! as a sheet of flame shot out from one of
the silencers. I think the sound was like a 25lb field gun and the poor
old chap across the road who I knew sufferers with heart problems
promptly jumped at least a foot off the ground, dropped his broom and
placed his hands over his ears and chest at the same time.
I couldn’t hear the
expletives that came from him as my ears were not in a fit state to hear
anything clearly for the next hour or so, there was just this whistle,
that’s all I could hear. For the next few days people would walk past
the gates and look in, then turn to each other and start whispering, I
had the distinct feeling I was the centre of conversation for a while.
All I could do was to smile and get on with what I was doing at the
time.
After that I thought
to myself, “I think there’s a problem somewhere”. There next came a
period of scratching the head, drinking coffee, and going to do
something else while the brain has time to think of a possible solution.
I tried several things such as change spark plugs, check timing,
re-charge the battery, check the coil, etc. all to no avail, the engine
would not even fire again. At least before the engine sparked once, but
now absolutely nothing.
Drastic actions were
required and I changed the Jikov carburettors with some old Amal carbs
that were originally on my MT9, not brilliant but I knew they worked. I
spent quite a time in changing them over, then tried to start the engine
again - nothing.
I think I’ll start
advertising on the television a new keep fit exercise to get the legs into
shape, kick start my bike, guaranteed leg muscles that could climb
mountains with ease. After a couple of hours of this I gave up and
thought of a new strategy, so I went to the phone and called Sir Smith
of Catford. Sadly not called Speedway Motorcycles any more, but I could
still get through to Chris as I have been very fortunate to have been
given the secret phone number and password which allowed me to talk to
him. Of course I can only let you have this number, but you must not
tell anyone else, the phone number is 07944 145886 and the password is:
“Hi yer Chris, how’re doing” or as I put it “Hi Chris, HELP”
|
 |
