• Prince of Darkness strikes again

    From Simon Wilson@simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Aug 10 21:41:50 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Nearly a year after my little MGB did its wedding duties, I decided it
    was finally cold enough to take it out for a little run to a pub for lunch.

    I thought it wasn't going to start at first, just a little click from
    the starter solenoid, but a couple of clicks later and it started
    straight away. Put a few PSI in the tyres and it was all ready to go. A
    nice drive to the pub and a nice lunch.

    Got in it to drive home, turned it around and the engine died. Started,
    died again. As it had been sitting in the sun I start to think vapour
    lock and other such fuel issues. It started again, and kept going, until
    half way home it died again - I noticed the alternator light was on. I
    fiddled around the back of the ignition switch while coasting and it
    came to life again. Eventually I found a positon for the wires where it
    would keep going and arrived home ok.

    Took the wires off and there were a lot of dodgy connections, but if I
    wiggled one of the spades on the switch it cut out.

    New Lucas switch thingy on its way to hopefully cure it.
    --
    /Simon

    ps, never trust a Google AI answer for what wire goes where - completely
    and utterly wrong.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From cat@cat@where.here to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Aug 10 22:01:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 10/08/2026 21:41, Simon Wilson wrote:
    wiring

    I have to get to the connector under the tank down in the gusset at the
    front of the frame on the gsxr. It got overly wet on one biblical run
    into glasgow a couple of years back and had evidently corroded a bit.
    My main beam is only just enough to pass an MOT if you try a few times.

    Last time I tried to get to it it was borderline impossible. I hope it's
    easier this time :/

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From wessie@willnotwork@tesco.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Mon Aug 10 21:07:46 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote in news:18ca8c57d25161ff$116097$666557$4d54e64@news.newsdemon.com:

    New Lucas switch thingy on its way to hopefully cure it.


    how times change. I initially thought this was an off topic thread about an ambassador missing his trousers
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Pete Fisher@spam@nospam.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Aug 11 07:51:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 10/08/2026 21:41, Simon Wilson wrote:
    Nearly a year after my little MGB did its wedding duties, I decided it
    was finally cold enough to take it out for a little run to a pub for lunch.

    I thought it wasn't going to start at first, just a little click from
    the starter solenoid, but a couple of clicks later and it started
    straight away. Put a few PSI in the tyres and it was all ready to go. A
    nice drive to the pub and a nice lunch.

    Got in it to drive home, turned it around and the engine died. Started,
    died again. As it had been sitting in the sun I start to think vapour
    lock and other such fuel issues. It started again, and kept going, until >half way home it died again - I noticed the alternator light was on. I >fiddled around the back of the ignition switch while coasting and it
    came to life again. Eventually I found a positon for the wires where it >would keep going and arrived home ok.

    Took the wires off and there were a lot of dodgy connections, but if I >wiggled one of the spades on the switch it cut out.

    New Lucas switch thingy on its way to hopefully cure it.

    Italian electrics - oh hang on.
    --
    Phone
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From ChrisND@chrisnd@privacy.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Aug 11 10:31:57 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 10/08/2026 22:07, wessie wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote in >news:18ca8c57d25161ff$116097$666557$4d54e64@news.newsdemon.com:

    New Lucas switch thingy on its way to hopefully cure it.


    how times change. I initially thought this was an off topic thread about an >ambassador missing his trousers

    And I thought it would be about t'eclipse!

    Chris
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Olson@olsonm@tiny.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Aug 11 15:21:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:
    Nearly a year after my little MGB did its wedding duties, I decided it
    was finally cold enough to take it out for a little run to a pub for lunch.

    I didn't know you had an MGB, what year is it?

    My two were a '64[1] and a '65. The '64 was pretty rusty and in not
    so great shape. My '65 was a bit better, and it was the only car I've
    ever owned that induced a girl to ask me on a date.

    The '64 had 13 inch rims from an MG Midget on the rear axle. Fronts
    were 14 inch as normal. This was unbeknownst to me until I noticed
    some broken spokes on the rear wheels.

    The engine blew an exhaust valve (I still have this, with a nice
    half-moon cutout in the valve head) on the way from Minneapolis to
    Winnipeg for the February 1979 total solar eclipse. Once we got to
    Winnipeg I removed the pushrods from the affected cylinder and drove
    it all the way back on 3 cylinders. Later it suffered a complete loss
    of oil pressure and I did a partial engine rebuild.

    Note the different colored bonnet- the original flipped up and hit
    the windscreen, leaving a huge wrinkle in the middle. I spent some of
    my University tuition loan money on a new bonnet. The rest I mostly
    spent on a new Pentax MX camera outfit.

    Happy days

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/cRxtFa6339CMaUAb6

    [1] I honestly can't remember now, I say '64 but it might have been a
    '63.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Neil Ronketti@neil@ronketti.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Aug 11 18:13:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 11/08/2026 16:21, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:
    Nearly a year after my little MGB did its wedding duties, I decided it
    was finally cold enough to take it out for a little run to a pub for lunch.

    I didn't know you had an MGB, what year is it?

    My two were a '64[1] and a '65. The '64 was pretty rusty and in not
    so great shape. My '65 was a bit better, and it was the only car I've
    ever owned that induced a girl to ask me on a date.

    I had an Austin Healey Sprite:

    https://drive.proton.me/urls/K1BTYSW01C#cPFvN6U0GqN3

    It leaked like a colander. From both the roof and the drivers footwell.
    I didn't care. I was 19 years old, and driving around in a convertible.
    I bought it for something like -u350, ran it for a couple of years, and
    sold it for more.

    Happy days. I think I still have those jeans somewhere, but they only
    come out for special occasions.
    --
    nr.

    Tingrith (n.)
    The feeling of silver paper against your fillings.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Olson@olsonm@tiny.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Aug 12 14:41:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Neil Ronketti <neil@ronketti.invalid> wrote:
    On 11/08/2026 16:21, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:
    Nearly a year after my little MGB did its wedding duties, I decided it
    was finally cold enough to take it out for a little run to a pub for lunch. >>
    I didn't know you had an MGB, what year is it?

    My two were a '64[1] and a '65. The '64 was pretty rusty and in not
    so great shape. My '65 was a bit better, and it was the only car I've
    ever owned that induced a girl to ask me on a date.

    I had an Austin Healey Sprite:

    https://drive.proton.me/urls/K1BTYSW01C#cPFvN6U0GqN3

    Brings back memories of many roadside repairs. Come to think of it,
    despite many breakdowns, none of them resulted in the car not being
    fixable at the roadside and driven off. Once the batteries fell out
    (2x 6V in series behind the seats, rusted out hangers), driveshaft
    nearly fell off in South Dakota, etc.

    It leaked like a colander. From both the roof and the drivers footwell.
    I didn't care. I was 19 years old, and driving around in a convertible.
    I bought it for something like u350, ran it for a couple of years, and
    sold it for more.

    My older MGB was similarly ventilated, the passenger side footwell
    (RH) had a gaping rust hole that was only sealed with a rubber
    floormat. Plenty of air came in at speed, far outweighing the meagre contribution of the heater fan. While going to the Winnipeg eclipse
    in Feb 79, my then girlfriend wrapped herself in a sleeping bag in
    an attempt to stay unfrozen.

    Driving through an unfortunately placed slush puddle resulted in a
    huge fountain of slushy salty water spraying up through the floor,
    completely bypassing the floor mat, and soaking the sleeping bag. She
    wasn't well pleased.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Olson@olsonm@tiny.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Aug 12 14:47:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:

    I think we may have had this convo before. Mine's a '73, been in the
    family since 1978, I think I've had it ~30 years, so not long really :)

    I am notoriously forgetful now, almost to the point of wondering if
    this is early onset dementia, so my apologies for being repetitive.

    I liked the earlier models, when they raised the body for more
    clearance around the wheels (I seem to remember something about needing
    to meet Swiss regs for tire chains??) I think it didn't help the looks.

    Did the later non-USA cars also get the ugly "5 mph" bumpers that
    we got? Another huge step backward.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Simon Wilson@simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Aug 12 17:33:58 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 12/08/2026 15:47, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:

    I think we may have had this convo before. Mine's a '73, been in the
    family since 1978, I think I've had it ~30 years, so not long really :)

    I am notoriously forgetful now, almost to the point of wondering if
    this is early onset dementia, so my apologies for being repetitive.

    I liked the earlier models, when they raised the body for more
    clearance around the wheels (I seem to remember something about needing
    to meet Swiss regs for tire chains??) I think it didn't help the looks.

    Did the later non-USA cars also get the ugly "5 mph" bumpers that
    we got? Another huge step backward.


    Yeah the rubber bumper models are less desirable, I think most people
    convert them back. Mine predates that era.
    --
    /Simon

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Simon Wilson@simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Aug 12 18:18:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 12/08/2026 15:47, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:

    I think we may have had this convo before. Mine's a '73, been in the
    family since 1978, I think I've had it ~30 years, so not long really :)

    I am notoriously forgetful now, almost to the point of wondering if
    this is early onset dementia, so my apologies for being repetitive.

    I liked the earlier models, when they raised the body for more
    clearance around the wheels (I seem to remember something about needing
    to meet Swiss regs for tire chains??) I think it didn't help the looks.

    Did the later non-USA cars also get the ugly "5 mph" bumpers that
    we got? Another huge step backward.


    https://immich.plaxy.com/share/nEa04QNth6Wv1ptOHZDFHb63_wby8XLzX8PE1VIe8uSf5TbEyeoSaXQdGRuXIiZlg_s
    --
    /Simon
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From PipL@pip@nowhere.nul to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Aug 12 19:48:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 12/08/2026 18:18, Simon Wilson wrote:
    On 12/08/2026 15:47, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:

    I think we may have had this convo before. Mine's a '73, been in the
    family since 1978, I think I've had it ~30 years, so not long really :)

    I am notoriously forgetful now, almost to the point of wondering if
    this is early onset dementia, so my apologies for being repetitive.

    I liked the earlier models, when they raised the body for more
    clearance around the wheels (I seem to remember something about needing
    to meet Swiss regs for tire chains??) I think it didn't help the looks.

    Did the later non-USA cars also get the ugly "5 mph" bumpers that
    we got?-a Another huge step backward.


    https://immich.plaxy.com/share/ nEa04QNth6Wv1ptOHZDFHb63_wby8XLzX8PE1VIe8uSf5TbEyeoSaXQdGRuXIiZlg_s

    That's nice.
    --

    CHUMP #1 (CHarge Up Muppet)

    Pip
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Olson@olsonm@tiny.invalid to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Aug 12 19:03:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:
    On 12/08/2026 15:47, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:

    I think we may have had this convo before. Mine's a '73, been in the
    family since 1978, I think I've had it ~30 years, so not long really :)

    I am notoriously forgetful now, almost to the point of wondering if
    this is early onset dementia, so my apologies for being repetitive.

    I liked the earlier models, when they raised the body for more
    clearance around the wheels (I seem to remember something about needing
    to meet Swiss regs for tire chains??) I think it didn't help the looks.

    Did the later non-USA cars also get the ugly "5 mph" bumpers that
    we got? Another huge step backward.


    https://immich.plaxy.com/share/nEa04QNth6Wv1ptOHZDFHb63_wby8XLzX8PE1VIe8uSf5TbEyeoSaXQdGRuXIiZlg_s

    I see yours has two windscreen wipers, I thought the changeover to
    three happened earlier than '73 but evidently not. Very nice looking
    car in the correct color (as my 1st one was also).


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Simon Wilson@simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Wed Aug 12 20:29:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 12/08/2026 20:03, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:
    On 12/08/2026 15:47, Mark Olson wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote:

    I think we may have had this convo before. Mine's a '73, been in the
    family since 1978, I think I've had it ~30 years, so not long really :) >>>
    I am notoriously forgetful now, almost to the point of wondering if
    this is early onset dementia, so my apologies for being repetitive.

    I liked the earlier models, when they raised the body for more
    clearance around the wheels (I seem to remember something about needing
    to meet Swiss regs for tire chains??) I think it didn't help the looks.

    Did the later non-USA cars also get the ugly "5 mph" bumpers that
    we got? Another huge step backward.


    https://immich.plaxy.com/share/nEa04QNth6Wv1ptOHZDFHb63_wby8XLzX8PE1VIe8uSf5TbEyeoSaXQdGRuXIiZlg_s

    I see yours has two windscreen wipers, I thought the changeover to
    three happened earlier than '73 but evidently not. Very nice looking
    car in the correct color (as my 1st one was also).



    I mistakenly thought it was British Racing Green but it's actually Green Mallard. BRG is lighter I think.
    --
    /Simon
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Champ@neal@champ.org.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Aug 13 14:06:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:01:39 +0100, cat <cat@where.here> wrote:

    On 10/08/2026 21:41, Simon Wilson wrote:
    wiring

    I have to get to the connector under the tank down in the gusset at the
    front of the frame on the gsxr. It got overly wet on one biblical run
    into glasgow a couple of years back and had evidently corroded a bit.
    My main beam is only just enough to pass an MOT if you try a few times.

    Last time I tried to get to it it was borderline impossible. I hope it's >easier this time :/

    If everything on the bikes is in the same place, and you haven't
    evolved, then I don't see a reason for it to have become easier
    --
    Champ
    neal at champ dot org dot uk

    I don't know, but I been told
    You never slow down, you never grow old
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Simon Wilson@simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Aug 13 15:24:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 13/08/2026 14:06, Champ wrote:
    On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:01:39 +0100, cat <cat@where.here> wrote:

    On 10/08/2026 21:41, Simon Wilson wrote:
    wiring

    I have to get to the connector under the tank down in the gusset at the
    front of the frame on the gsxr. It got overly wet on one biblical run
    into glasgow a couple of years back and had evidently corroded a bit.
    My main beam is only just enough to pass an MOT if you try a few times.

    Last time I tried to get to it it was borderline impossible. I hope it's
    easier this time :/

    If everything on the bikes is in the same place, and you haven't
    evolved, then I don't see a reason for it to have become easier

    You say that, but the second time I had to split my BMW GS in two, I did
    it in half a day, wheareas the first time it took me several days.
    --
    /Simon
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From wessie@willnotwork@tesco.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Aug 13 14:26:58 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote in news:18cb637818f61a3a$157854$796307$46d50c60@news.newsdemon.com:

    On 13/08/2026 14:06, Champ wrote:
    On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:01:39 +0100, cat <cat@where.here> wrote:

    On 10/08/2026 21:41, Simon Wilson wrote:
    wiring

    I have to get to the connector under the tank down in the gusset at
    the front of the frame on the gsxr. It got overly wet on one
    biblical run into glasgow a couple of years back and had evidently
    corroded a bit. My main beam is only just enough to pass an MOT if
    you try a few times.

    Last time I tried to get to it it was borderline impossible. I hope
    it's easier this time :/

    If everything on the bikes is in the same place, and you haven't
    evolved, then I don't see a reason for it to have become easier

    You say that, but the second time I had to split my BMW GS in two, I
    did it in half a day, wheareas the first time it took me several days.


    you evolved

    QED
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike Fleming@mike@tauzero.co.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Aug 14 00:17:19 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 11/08/2026 16:21, Mark Olson wrote:
    My two were a '64[1] and a '65. The '64 was pretty rusty and in not
    so great shape. My '65 was a bit better, and it was the only car I've
    ever owned that induced a girl to ask me on a date.

    Unsurprising that the '64 never got that reaction, if you were
    advertising that you had thrush.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From cat@cat@where.here to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Aug 14 16:31:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 13/08/2026 15:26, wessie wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote in news:18cb637818f61a3a$157854$796307$46d50c60@news.newsdemon.com:

    On 13/08/2026 14:06, Champ wrote:
    On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:01:39 +0100, cat <cat@where.here> wrote:

    On 10/08/2026 21:41, Simon Wilson wrote:
    wiring

    I have to get to the connector under the tank down in the gusset at
    the front of the frame on the gsxr. It got overly wet on one
    biblical run into glasgow a couple of years back and had evidently
    corroded a bit. My main beam is only just enough to pass an MOT if
    you try a few times.

    Last time I tried to get to it it was borderline impossible. I hope
    it's easier this time :/

    If everything on the bikes is in the same place, and you haven't
    evolved, then I don't see a reason for it to have become easier

    You say that, but the second time I had to split my BMW GS in two, I
    did it in half a day, wheareas the first time it took me several days.


    you evolved

    QED

    Tbh I'm hoping the problem's been in my subconsious long enough that a
    solution will be gifted as soon as I get the tank off. A job for
    tomorrow along with jetwashing and resanding the fucking drive, ugh.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From cat@cat@where.here to uk.rec.motorcycles on Fri Aug 14 20:03:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 14/08/2026 16:31, cat wrote:
    On 13/08/2026 15:26, wessie wrote:
    Simon Wilson <simowilso+newsdemon@nodamnspamn.gmail.com> wrote in
    news:18cb637818f61a3a$157854$796307$46d50c60@news.newsdemon.com:

    On 13/08/2026 14:06, Champ wrote:
    On Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:01:39 +0100, cat <cat@where.here> wrote:

    On 10/08/2026 21:41, Simon Wilson wrote:
    wiring

    I have to get to the connector under the tank down in the gusset
    Last time I tried to get to it it was borderline impossible. I hope
    it's easier this time :/

    If everything on the bikes is in the same place, and you haven't
    evolved, then I don't see a reason for it to have become easier

    You say that, but the second time I had to split my BMW GS in two, I
    did it in half a day, wheareas the first time it took me several days.


    you evolved

    QED

    a solution will be gifted

    The loom is really weird, I thought I could pull the connector up to
    access it bit the connector is in the MIDDLE of a section of loom so
    it's tagged in place by the loom continuing south somewhere.

    But never mind, I popped the airbox off and that gave me just enough
    room to get the socket popped open so i could fill it with contact
    cleaner. Hopefully that and some aggressive replugging will be enough
    for a while.

    Sadly the foam gaskets between the airbox and the ram scoops is getting
    VERY 22 years old or whatever so I'll need to source some of that before
    the engine uses it as fuel.

    Main beam, indicators and pass light seem fine though now, hopefully
    less heat in that connector as well, heh.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2