What did you do to or for or with your Laverda today?

I registered my pre oil cooler big headlamp 3C on the NOVA database yesterday. This is a UK database where you have to pay any VAT if the vehicle comes from outside the EU.
I was a bit surprised to find I owed nothing as the bike came from Serbia which isn't an EU member.
I can get the bike registered now but it needs a fair bit of work to get it ready for Breganze next year.
It's been dormant since 2011 but Grant rewired it and installed one of Reds very first uprated ignition and alternator upgrades.
The front brakes need attention, most of the head studs are in the wrong way up and all the chains need replacing. Might be easier to take the engine out to fix the studs but I have no facilities where I am.
Lets hope there aren't any major horror stories lurking inside the motor.
I might have to fit a hydraulic clutch conversion from Keith Nairn because my left wrist is damaged and riding through traffic with a heavy clutch will be murder.
 
quote from Cam
"Doing a weld that looks nice is more of a challenge.  That's what angle grinders are for"

makes my ears ring, in the 60's, I was told over and over again that appearance is only 5% of the marks, penetration is 40%, so why the fuck are you polishing that shit off the top!

CLEM
but I know what you mean Cam.
 
Grant said:
Isn't there a 25 year limit on tax due?
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Dunno Grant, I just expected more hassle, mind you I had to supply national insurance numbers and passport details halfway through the process which I didn't expect. This is on top of the user ID and password and access code which they send to your phone.
Anyway it didn't cost anything and was pretty immediate so I'm pleased.
 
pf1 said:
I registered my pre oil cooler big headlamp 3C on the NOVA database yesterday. This is a UK database where you have to pay any VAT if the vehicle comes from outside the EU.
I was a bit surprised to find I owed nothing as the bike came from Serbia which isn't an EU member.
I can get the bike registered now but it needs a fair bit of work to get it ready for Breganze next year.
It's been dormant since 2011 but Grant rewired it and installed one of Reds very first uprated ignition and alternator upgrades.
The front brakes need attention, most of the head studs are in the wrong way up and all the chains need replacing. Might be easier to take the engine out to fix the studs but I have no facilities where I am.
Lets hope there aren't any major horror stories lurking inside the motor.
I might have to fit a hydraulic clutch conversion from Keith Nairn because my left wrist is damaged and riding through traffic with a heavy clutch will be murder.
We will toss the coin to elect the tow bike, towing charges are a stubby per kilometer or a pint per mile!!!!!
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My caveat would be to make sure these bikes (never run for millennia) are up to the grand tour ahead of schedule rather that relying on blind faith.

From what I saw of 2 of these beasts they need more than blind faith and optimism.

Harsh but true.
 
Grant said:
My caveat would be to make sure these bikes (never run for millenia) are up to the grand tour ahead of schedule rather that relying on blind faith.

From what I saw of 2 of these beasts they need more than blind faith and optimism.

Harsh but true.
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I haven't got blind faith in my 3C Grant, I ran one of these on a shoestring for 17 years and I'm pretty much familiar with every facet the bike except the changed ignition system. These bikes are tough as old boots. It's only 1000 miles or so to Breganze anyway, I could do it on a moped if I had to.
As for Maurices bike, it has a very good motor and an extremely knowledgeable owner.
Cosmetically, I'm not bothered as long as my bike is tidy.
You never know though, they could both throw a rod just for fun but I would think that applies to most of the bikes heading there.
As you installed all the electrics on my bike I have discounted the likelihood of any problems from that quarter. Is that the blind faith you were talking about?  :D

 
Just been thinking about what sort of problems I encountered doing long trips on my 3C years ago. It was a high mileage well used bike, so not shiny and new.
From memory on different trips I had the rear wheel cush drive bearings go in Italy, fixed them on a campsite near Venice, had cables snap but always carried spares, punctures (god how I hated them), starter motor packed in in France, starter solenoid packed in on another trip, the wiring under the rear mudguard got trashed when I hit a huge pothole in the rain coming out of Le Havre and shorted everything out, the rectifier went on another trip and constantly flattened the battery.
I cant remember any other failures, so mostly we are talking electrical.
The CDI ignition on the early bikes meant that you didn't need a charged up battery to make them function, a bump start would get them running. I might miss that primitive feature.
 
"just a packed up new Odyssey Battery"

surprisingly a statement that you hear a lot, which is why I have never bought one,

I can feel Dicknav7 and jock McReg typing as I close.
CLEM
 
Pat, I do this type of work daily and looking at your 3C and knowing it has not run in how many years I would be hesitant to take it on a 2000 mile round trip with just the optimism you display based on how your previous 3C ran.
I would be going through it with a fine tooth comb, replacing (for example) all wheel bearings, brake seal and pads on the front end, checking carbs etc.
When I saw it your bike looked like it needed some loving.

1000 miles each way is still many hours at highway speeds, no doubt hot weather and the bike will have a shock to it's system after years of inactivity.

I'm not having a go, just urging you to do the necessary before such a big trip.
 
Clem..here I am! The Od will pack up if you dont have an updraded charging system.Mine did that.but after the Red/Sachse upgrade it has been faultless..amazing in fact. I know you like your half ton tractor batteries, but if you ever get on and fit a decent ignition to TOG, then she will appreciate the Od benefits😁So splash the cash?😍
 
Nick,

Mine had a new Witt DMC2 on it, I know they are not compatible with single phase alternators btw.But the Sprint is 3 phase, Odysseys"s are over priced ,and I"m sorry to all,but no better than decent power rated ride on mower battery,which is what i found in France to get to Breganze and back and ever since.Numax  are good too.I don t ride at night really for an upgrade,

If you want a Harrods bag and shiny stuff that"s fine Sheik Ya Moni by all means. :D :D :D

Oh dear ChrisK, it"s now a battery thread.  . :LOL:
 
Grant said:
Pat, I do this type of work daily and looking at your 3C and knowing it has not run in how many years I would be hesitant to take it on a 2000 mile round trip with just the optimism you display based on how your previous 3C ran.
I would be going through it with a fine tooth comb, replacing (for example) all wheel bearings, brake seal and pads on the front end, checking carbs etc.
When I saw it your bike looked like it needed some loving.

1000 miles each way is still many hours at highway speeds, no doubt hot weather and the bike will have a shock to it's system after years of inactivity.

I'm not having a go, just urging you to do the necessary before such a big trip.
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You don't think I'm not going to check these things do you Grant?
I'm not replacing anything for the sake of it though.
I'm going to rebuild the brakes, it's already had steering head bearings and fork seals, you renewed the electrics, it'll get new chains all round and new tyres.
I'll get the carbs cleaned out and sorted.
Although it was running when I bought it, the engine is mostly an unknown quantity and will have to be investigated but a total money no object rebuild isn't going to happen. It doesn't need to win any races, just get me there and back.
I actually have a nice big box full of brand new parts, bearings, brake rebuild kits, carb rebuild kits, cables and even a very nice cylinder head if needs be but apart from consumables I'm not inclined to replace anything unless absolutely necessary.
If it breaks I'll fix it or hire a van, it'll give me somewhere cheap to sleep too. If the motor is shagged I'll use a different bike.
I don't know if it's just me but the amount of money thrown at these bikes these days seems wildly excessive especially when they hardly get any use. I have a feeling my attitude will be frowned upon by the great and good on here though ha ha!
It will be interesting to see if anything goes tits up. I would bet if it anything unfixable fails it will be the new ignition, sods law in action.
 
A full rebuild is a full rebuild.
The end result is a perfectly useable bike as or better than new.
This isn't everyone's aim or dream and I understand that.
Of course I hope your approach yields results and ges you there and back without drama.
 
Hey Pat,

Alan seems keen on that route too on the way , if you can clear it with the others, have your own mechanic en route then  :D
 
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