The fall and rise of a works SFC engine

Hi Piet, love the thinking outside the box for the liner issue. I would never have thought of that. Would've tracked down a mill to sort that.
Also noticed the plugs are at a shallower angle if I'm seeing right.
Can also see how special the cases are with the casting on the r/h side where the starter clutch is usually located.
Good job mate
 
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motoddrob said:
Hi Piet, love the thinking outside the box for the liner issue. I would never have thought of that. Would've tracked down a mill to sort that.
Also noticed the plugs are at a shallower angle if I'm seeing right.
Can also see how special the cases are with the casting on the r/h side where the starter clutch is usually located.
Good job mate
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1975> Electronica head!

Sadly, the very special original '73-type head has been swapped. I've stated before that I stongly suspect this engine was used as an experimental mule for the Electronica development as the fitted pistons were incorrectly machined and had touched the valves.

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Yes, I could probably have found a mill to shorten the spigots. One possibility would have been to drive over to OCT, but traffic has collapsed because a major Rhine bridge has been closed due to its' crumbling, takes me almost 2 hours for 45km, one way!

Besides, doing stuff like this at home is a lot more comfortable, wifey brings over cool drinks or a coffee to the workshop every now and then. Pretty eager to get the thing barking roaring again. ;)

piet
 
78jotadave said:
California Highway 1, a cruiser compared to Skyline Drive, sorts the men out from the boys. It is 1983 ??? or thereabouts, Rob on his SFC, me on my Gold Jota. We had very recently done Baja California and mainland Mexico/Yucatan, Rob on his SF2 and me on my old 74,3C.
The Gods shone brightly upon us, and we are a couple of Ozzies checking out the USA, both having found fantastic deals on Laverdas, moving on from the SF2 and my 3C.
Skyline Drive in the 80s was IT, destination was 'Alice's Restaurant,' yeah, that one. It wasn't about the restaurant or the destination; it was the ride. Half Moon Bay to anywhere, north, south, or east (west is the Pacific, and Mavericks break) is a motorcycle rider's paradise, well, it was in the 80s, not so much these days, but still fun.
I rode my Jota to Alice's, and coming back, I rode Rob 74 SFC, and my impression was that every corner, every corner, I could have taken faster, let's just say we were not "taking prisoners". A good tale, eh?

Before the 'Skyline' days, and they were fun, fun, fun, were the San Francisco Bay Area rides. Jumping and getting serious late night, when the bars closed 'airtime' on the SF2 and 3C, on the streets of San Francisco, Steve McQueen (Bullitt) had nothing on us, but to be honest, Kenny and Mark on their Triumphs were flying high; we all were, but those Triumphs flew on the way to the 38-footer in the Marina.
That's it, I'll shut up now, I'm sounding like Ron. Is he still with us?
Sorry, maybe not the right thread.
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It feels so good to be reminded of the freedom that used to exist in France, too.
Thanks for this trip down memory lane.
Then, little by little, surveillance took hold in every area—greatly aided by new control technologies.
What a shitty time we live in.
 
Speed cameras, fixed and mobile; red light cameras; time-over-distance cameras used for big trucks for years, and we were told never for bikes and cars till just now. Phone use cameras that now do seat belts as well, and the latest sound cameras for loud vehicles. I probably missed 1 or 2. BTW, all contacted to be run by private companies using AI to check the data; for a long while, that was a Bank, license to print money.
 
Vince said:
Speed cameras, fixed and mobile; red light cameras; time-over-distance cameras used for big trucks for years, and we were told never for bikes and cars till just now. Phone use cameras that now do seat belts as well, and the latest sound cameras for loud vehicles. I probably missed 1 or 2. BTW, all contacted to be run by private companies using AI to check the data; for a long while, that was a Bank, license to print money.
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Happily that stuff is non-existent in the areas referred to by 78jotadave, and where I live and ride much of the time.

Re Mastroianni's comments about France, I also ride annually in Europe on a bike with US registration that's been there since 1998 (no periodic inspections required in California, so US registration stickers have been continuous over the 28 year period). I can't tell you how many fines have been avoided because European governments rely on automation and IT to patrol their streets. Their laziness is my benefit - no camera recognizes my license plate. As a result I've never had a traffic fine of any kind, nor by the way had an accident of any significance over maybe 100,000 km in the Alps etc.

I won't be buying any new bikes or cars, and instead within the last few months bought two low mileage bikes and a 5 year old car that are mostly unencumbered by intrusive crap. Just say no, and speak with your wallet.

I work the enforcement IT systems they way I find them, mostly in opposition to their intent, and continue to enjoy motorcycling and life generally. Freedom is human nature and I'll be complying with it ;)
 
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An Australian mate was using a New Zealand licence in Australia and had a heated interaction with a Cop on a bike ride. The Cop was so pissed off he went back through his travel history and worked out he wasn't in compliance for the times he stayed between countries. It all came back to bite him during a court appearance. Anyway, the point is don't poke the bear when you're winning. It's always good to have a low profile with the Cops
 
sfcpiet said:
1975> Electronica head!

Besides, doing stuff like this at home is a lot more comfortable, wifey brings over cool drinks or a coffee to the workshop every now and then. Pretty eager to get the thing barking roaring again. ;)

piet
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You’re a lucky man having a good wife like Dory that looks after you.

Extended luck would see Roger move OCT closer to your home, maybe we should put a petition together.
 
Vince said:
An Australian mate was using a New Zealand licence in Australia and had a heated interaction with a Cop on a bike ride. The Cop was so pissed off he went back through his travel history and worked out he wasn't in compliance for the times he stayed between countries. It all came back to bite him during a court appearance. Anyway, the point is don't poke the bear when you're winning. It's always good to have a low profile with the Cops
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Here in Vietnam the International Drivers Permit that we Yanks use complies with a different treaty than the one issued by the UK and, I believe, Australia and NZ. It is not valid in VN which means that legally I can only ride an EV or 50cc!

The workaround is to go to Bali, spend $100 and get an Indonesian license. This is valid in all ASEAN countries but also needs an IDP which is provided, for a fee, by private agencies. Or you can carry 2 million Dong to pay the police if you get stopped. This is $76, but often it can be negotiated down to 1,000,000…..
 
I've never had a IDL when spending time in Thailand. I own a car up there and have owned motorcycles, done many 10 of thousand kms, been stopped by police many times and not having IDL has never been an issue. Probably more a case of you spending your time in cesspool places like Pattaya or Phuket where you get yobbo falang on scooters doing stupid things while pissed. The police are over it!!.
Last time in Pattaya for me was over 40 years ago. Can't see myself ever going back there. Pretty damn ugly imho.
 
motoddrob said:
I've never had a IDL when spending time in Thailand. I own a car up there and have owned motorcycles, done many 10 of thousand kms, been stopped by police many times and not having IDL has never been an issue. Probably more a case of you spending your time in cesspool places like Pattaya or Phuket where you get yobbo falang on scooters doing stupid things while pissed. The police are over it!!.
Last time in Pattaya for me was over 40 years ago. Can't see myself ever going back there. Pretty damn ugly imho.
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From our and from others point of view the only place left that is relatively free from girlie bars and brothels is Hua Hin. And that is only because it was the long time summer and final home of the much revered late King. They are still there, but it’s smaller than other places. But you still see old western men with young girls everywhere you go.
 
My 2nd home is in the Nth East about 10 kays from the Mekong/Lao border.
No western tourist or girlie bars apart from a couple that cater to the locals.
I dont travel south of BKK. Always the Nth West or Nth East. I like the mountains where the best motorcycling roads are.
 
motoddrob said:
My 2nd home is in the Nth East about 10 kays from the Mekong/Lao border.
No western tourist or girlie bars apart from a couple that cater to the locals.
I dont travel south of BKK. Always the Nth West or Nth East. I like the mountains where the best motorcycling roads are.
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Now that’s a part of Thailand I’d like to visit.

My wife and I have been to Thailand about four times, last trip we went with friends who wanted to stay in the touristy parts. Too divey for me
 
motoddrob said:
My 2nd home is in the Nth East about 10 kays from the Mekong/Lao border.
No western tourist or girlie bars apart from a couple that cater to the locals.
I dont travel south of BKK. Always the Nth West or Nth East. I like the mountains where the best motorcycling roads are.
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Isaan? It was our favorite part back in the 80’s. This is such a small forum that I feel I can share my favorite place in the whole country: Koh Phayam, an island on the Andaman Sea within site of Myanmar. It is a 40 minute speedboat ride from Rannong where the airport is located. There is only one tiny IMG_3424.jpegIMG_3411.jpegIMG_3409.jpegIMG_3300.jpegIMG_0109.jpegIMG_1173.jpegresort, but dozens of bungalow places with restaurants and air conditioned rooms. Except for the port village there are no concrete buildings. There are also no bars, no karaoke and no happy ending massage places. There are no cars on the island either barring the ambulance.

What there is are simply amazing, uncrowded beaches, excellent restaurants and cafes and a vibe very reminiscent of Koh Samui in the 1980’s. Here are a few pictures from our last two month visit.

The final picture is a typical island road, this one in a working rubber plantation.
 
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Guys, can we please return to topic? This is the technical forum and not the Travel Guide forum, please. I know I have been guilty for going off topics more times than I can count, but it would make the very interesting content from Piet much easier to follow. Thank you very much, my friends!! ;)
 
Don't be so Deutsch Lothar, a bit of bar banter doesn't hurt... ;)

Starting to look like a complete bike again.

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Currently waiting on a couple of brake line fittings to rectify the last-minute sins of 2016 in readiness for the not-the-Barry 2017.

Next on the list is replacing the modern rear shocks with a pair of period Ceriani GP items that I have been able to source. The shocks were in a sorry shape and require a total overhaul, of course seal kits are no longer available, so these will need to be made up. The shocks are the De Carbon type with a floating piston separating the damper oil from a gas charge. As I don't anticipate finding anybody capable of re-charging these, they'll be rebuilt as simple oil dampers. Reckon they should be fine for a couple of demo laps here and there.

piet
 
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