PupCam

Who are you calling a Monkey? Mind you, I wonder how much it would cost to ship to Aus? 😉 Chimpy would love it to chuck in the back of the UTE.

No I'll give it a miss. Z1's seem to be as common as muck, there's 6 of them in the auction (albeit of varying pedigrees 🤣 )! I've always fancied a Scott but no, I mustn't. The BSA 350 Empire Star caught my eye, it being the proper version of my 250 baby Empire Star. Looks very nice (that tank would be good on mine) but the more I look at it the more strange things I see so I'll give that a miss too.

Anyone got any spare* money kicking around? There's another auction in Puppershire at the weekend at Old Warden. It was quite good last year with some interesting lots and mostly reasonable prices. I belive the term is "It's a seller's market" at the moment. I might have a toddle off over there on the viewing day and take a gander. * No, I've never understood the concept of "spare" money either being a lowly peasant 🤣 https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/the-shuttleworth-spring-motorcycle-sale-2024/2024-04-07/ipp-100 Alan

Evening All! I think the most likely candidate, as others have suggested, is Pewter. What ever it is it's very ductile as shown by the deformed undercarriage leg. You could solder it with a suitable solder BUT DON'T MELT THE ITEM! ION A trip to the supermarket this morning severely broke the credit card and that's another (silent) Deltic plus some accessories that won't be coming my way. Still, the cupboards were almost bare, it's only money and I get hungry! No Turkey Twizzlers were purchased. Not because I have anything against the Twizzle, it's jut that really can't stand the much-hyped and totally over-rated Turkey. This afternoon I felt obliged to take the RD to the local Esso garage to fill it up with Premium Unleaded which hopeful still contains no Ethanol and is thus "old vehicle" friendly. Unfortunately there might be some doubt about that now as I heard a rumour that even Esso were starting to introduce Ethanol into their premium fuel. If true that's a very large helping of TCs. Boy was it windy on the bike. The ~ 10 mile round trip was extremely lively. I wouldn't have wanted to go very much further today. I've just remembered that as well as not "doing" rain, frost, fog and snow I don't do high wind on a bike these days 🤣 On the way home I stopped off at a motorcycling mate to see his latest acquisitions; a 500cc Matchless twin and a 650 AJS twin. No doubt in due course they'll be buffed up and moved on as they don't have a Vincent tank badge. Other than that there's not a lot to report. Puppers has been quite inactive over the last few days and, as @polybear would say, I really need to get my furry little posterior into gear. Maybe tomorrow. Night All!

Evening All! That'll be the cam belt then I presume. Nothing trivial ...... I'm reminded of my Mk3 Escort many years ago. I had the new cambelt in the boot and was going to change it "Next Weekend". I couldn't do it "This Weekend" as I was at the Alban Arena all weekend for a certain show depicting things that run on parallel strips of metal. Halfway home on the Sunday evening in the back end of Luton (by the Rugnby Club for those that know it) the engine suddenly stopped and couldn't be encouraged to start again. Fearing the worst (cam belt broken) I took the top cover off (in the dark) and felt the belt. Relief, it was still there and taut. I arranged for recovery to get the car home. It was only on later investigation I understood the typical cam belt failure mode. They don't "snap" and part company they just loose a few of those important little teeth and go all smooth and bald (like Puppers?). But of course every single one of those teeth is there to do a job. Those that aren't there shirk their duty, the cam(s) stop going round and some of the valves start getting all close-up and friendly with the piston crowns (in Mk 3 Escort engines anyway) . That was a TC moment if ever there was one! There's an old proverb: " A new cambelt in the boot is worth Diddly Squat!" How true that is. Puppers may know that road quite well ..... 🤣 Surely it means the illustrious writer in the "The Green One" (or was it "The Blue One" - I can never remember!). Nice ploy to throw her off of the scent I'd say, she being a biker an all that. ION I went for a short thrash on the RD to Marston Moretaine (famous for a venerable old fund raising Captain and an illegal spa pool) this morning. The purpose to visit a former colleague (actually, he was originally from the same discipline/department as a certain white bear who frequents this parish but I don't believe they worked together or even knew one and other). This was most enjoyable; a thrash in the sunshine, a degree of "Putting the World to Rights" followed by a return thrash. Fortunately the rain didn't turn up until much, much later in the afternoon. I may have mentioned before; I don't "Do" rain (or dark, or ice, or fog) on a motorcycle these days. There was plenty of that when, as a young Pup, my bike was my only form of transport and "needs must". Now their sole use is for entertainment and amusement so dry, daytime conditions are a must. Other than that there's not a lot to report from Puppershire. Night All

Afternoon! Best of luck Dave for tomorrow and for a successful & speedy recovery. Do what the Doc says ...... When I had my electronics fitted I needed some additional analgesia and morphine was administered. At first I had a shooting pain down the arm as it went in. I thought (being complete ignorant of such things at the time) that hurts, who on earth would do drugs for the fun of it ........... a few moments later and Ahhhhhhhhhhh I drifted off to a warm, cozy land, without a care in the world (despite the need to be plugged into a load of machines that go "Beep" repeatedly) 😁 Mind you, given the choice, I'd rather not have been there in the first place and denied myself the opportunity to try it out. I knew there was a reason why I'm not that fond of broccoli. Monty has a "Hill Hold" feature. It's called the driver who knows how to use the handbrake and clutch properly. Monty has done over 197K miles now; original clutch & original exhaust still giving sterling service. ION Not-a-lot! Repositioned one of the bird boxes in the garden. Let's see if the new location is more favourable to them. These homeless birds can be so fussy don't you know. Most importantly, I finally got round to sweeping the Myford down after my most recent turning activities some days ago. Don't tell Robbie @polybear he would have had my guts for garters had a let the sun go down on a grubby machine! I was reminded on Faceache this morning that it is 30 years to the day since the last flight from that once mighty airfield at Hatfield. Dick Bishop the son of the legendary R.E. Bishop, the designer of the Mosquito and the Comet, was the chap doing the honours when he took off, quite fittingly, in a Tiger Moth. IIRC Sir Geoffrey de Havilland's grand-daughter Anne was in the second cockpit for the final flight. WARNING to Bear! You may catch the occasional glimpse of the Bear cage in this video. There's also a glimpse of the torture test tank, the night shift premium from which may have assisted a certain Puppers in paying his first mortgage 😀 What a waste of a wonderful airfield and a historic company. Even though de Havilland had morphed into / been absorbed by Hawker Siddeley a few years before I turned up I still consider myself to be "DH stock" and I'm proud to have been associated (along with thousands of others!) with that hallowed place. Oh yes, and please can we refrain from any Smart Alec comments regarding windows ..... I'll hop off my soap box now, it's too late to do anything about it and the world has moved on. TTFN

Morning Now come on Bear! You've been complaining for some time that these people "Drop and Run" and now there's a hint of an improvement you are complaining. You can't have your cake pizza and eat it too you know! No, you're alright. Puppers will stand on the ground and watch Bear have a go. I love the stated fundamental question to be answered 🤣 I find being told the same thing 3 (or more) times extremely tedious generally and particularly as modern documentary makers have taken it to exciting new levels by adding 3 levels of dumbing down and numerous, puerile animations for those that can't understand the spoken (dumbed down and more than likely inaccurate) word. As for the media telling us things people are going to say in the future e.g. "The Prime Minister* is going to announce a week next Thursday that it shall become an offence at the end of April to visit a London bar without consuming copious quantities of Heinz Baked Beans " just blxxdyy STOP IT! By all means, consider that to be an anti Media rant. * Any politicians, other officials from government or industry maybe substituted here. I wouldn't want to pick on the Prime Minister. On second thoughts ..... ION Sad day here today as Junior Puppers has packed her bags and set off on the long drive to almost Distant Signal (West). We've enjoyed a splendid family week but all good things must come to an end. Can't wait for the next visit. Weather Vane painting** has been completed and it has been re-installed on the pergola. A little bit of touching up will be required but it's just started raining slightly so any excuse to give up for now was gladly taken. My heart is just not in such tasks these days, I just want to get them done and move on to something that is actually interesting. ** Very loose use of the term here, ref previous post on new Hammerite paint. My neighbour has been out for a thrash on his RD this morning. I did get an invite but as previously stated, far more important things on the cards early this morning than breakfast at the end of a thrash. TTFN Now, what to do after lunch? Probably sleep! I was up late last night and of course an hour mysteriously disappeared in the middle of the night so I'm extra tired today.

Evening Bonk was so pleased to see the (extended) family photos he got up, scurried off muttering something about finding a photo album. But at least he knocked on the door and didn't just dump it like they usually do ..... Small acorns and all that. A very good friend has quite a lot of trouble sleeping. He has ceiling projection clock and recounts stories of laying there watching it for hour after hour. Bit of a theme developing here? Dump the projection clock! It's just a gadget and it's one that exacerbates a problem. ION I had a very pleasant thrash over to Pure Triumph in Woburn this morning for a coffee. Not with the usual bunch of OFs this time but with a couple of ex-colleagues. Both of whom still have the misfortune of being employed. On the way home I stopped off and bought a new tin of black Smoothite paint for the weather vane. Funny enough, the topic of this paint turned up at the last ex-colleagues Pie & Pint night discussions. Someone mentioned that he thought it now has a new formulation (environmentally more friendly no doubt). This afternoon I started painting the weather vane. Can't get on with the nice shiny new tin of paint at all! The only good thing that can be said about it is that it seems to dry a lot quicker than I recall. As for ease of application and finish on wire-brushed but rusty, dry and clean surfaces - Hopeless! Actually, it went on best on the new galvanised steel support pole. It says to use a special primer on galvanised surfaces which I didn't have and so I made a mental note that if the paint should flake off in-service that would no doubt be the reason why. Anyway it's only a weather vane, it's out in all weathers, it's halfway down the garden and you can't even see it during the hours of darkness so I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. Time for bed! Night All.

Funny you should use that phrase Neil. A good number of years ago I had some dealings with Gilo Cardozo who was doing some engine development work. He too was someone who came up with some amazingly innovative, very low cost solutions to some tricky problems that "traditional" companies with "traditional" solutions couldn't hope to crack. It was an education. The pair of them together must be a real tour de force! Cracking stuff, and the bikes will be old in due course 😀

That's good! A bit quicker than my '39 Beeza 250! Alan

Evening I'm reminded of "There are 10 types of people; those that understand binary and those who do not" 😉 ION A tragedy was avoided today! Whilst out for a quick thrash on the RD Mrs Puppers & Junior Puppers were "sorting" through the big plastic box of long forgotten childhood soft toys To keep it topical it was a binary choice; Keep or Go (to the charity shop). Imagine my dismay @New Haven Neil when, on my return, I found Donk's cousin Bonk assigned to the Go pile! Fortunately I was able to highlight the error in the filtering process and Bonk is now safe and ready for some Bimbles, Chugs & Thrashes over the coming months. He said it would be great to "Do the TT course" sometime with his cousin (I didn't like to disappoint him so I just said "Maybe one day" and left it at that 🤣) I've modified the weather vane and made a fitting to attach it to it's new mounting pole. This had to be silver soldered to the base of the fixed section. I may have got the wooden Workmate jaws slightly too warm whilst doing so. In the world of old motorcycles it's called patina .... I just call it burnt wood. That's about it for today I reckon. TTFN

They are absolutely superb Tom! Sage advice indeed but good luck for a successful and fruitful transition. It would be a great shame to waste such talent! Alan

Now that is a fantastic photograph! It is reminiscent of a typical LNER publicity shot set up on a quiet Sunday morning, absolutely brilliant. Perhaps another go now the background (and the point rodding ...) is complete is in order? Alan

Evening! "A £100m spend fighting sub-postmasters in court despite knowing its defence was untrue seems a pretty poor use of money." but it's got absolutely nothing at all to do with the truth and everything to do with "Saving face" and protecting an "image" irrespective of the cost (or the morals) IMVHO John. ION Yesterday I successfully managed to screw cut a thread (as opposed to tapping it) in an ali tube that mates with the 1" 32tpi UN thread that is the C Mount camera lens thread. I probably can't claim that the thread I cut is 1" 32 tpi UN on the grounds that the thread form is probably wrong (I know the bloke that ground the tool), the major, pitch and minor diameters are probably out of spec and a host of other failings to boot. Nevertheless, the lens screws in to it, doesn't rattle or fall off so I think I can award myself a reasonably big tick. Quite pleased really that it worked first time! 😁 Today has been spent providing a taxi service for Mrs & a Junior Puppers and attending an overdue optician's appointment. That's a whole fleet of Finsbury Park racehorses I won't be seeing then, even with my new glasses ...... I think an early night is in order. Night all.

Morning Some time was spent yesterday morning wire brushing the old paint off of the second RD silencer. Tough moving it to start with but made easier of course when frustration sets in and you press much harder with the rotary brush! Once that was done the said item was mounted vertically on a suitable wooden pole mounted in the workmate. Thoroughly heated with my monster blow torch (a relatively new acquisition to aid bigger silver soldering jobs and "persuading" rusty, corroded together objects that they really do want to come apart) until it was too hot to touch, the first coat of VHT black was applied. This of course dried off immediately due to the elevated temperature which enabled more coats to be put on as a continuous process. Once done and touch dry the trusty old Black and Decker hot air gun (circa 1984 according to the label) was used to blow hot air through it to accelerate the curing. Later that same morning it was back on the bike looking very smart 😀 The monthly meds run down to the GPs was planned for the afternoon. It would have been rude not to try out the RD with it's new rear brake shoes and restored silencers. I don't like to be rude 🤣 It might get another thrash today while the weather holds as I was planning to take a run over to see a former work colleague this morning but I'm still waiting to hear if it's convenient. Otherwise it might be weather vane refurbishment or I might have a go at screwcutting a 1" - 32tpi UN female screw thread to make a mounting for a C mount video zoom lens that's a potential candidate for the telecine machine. Just to echo @Barry O previous sentiments about missing ERs. There seems to be quite a few at the moment and I hope all is well with them 🤞 TTFN

Morning! But the thing about weather forecasting is all about the timing. I and everybody else can predict that it's definitely going to be sunny/raining/frosty/hot/windy etc etc, what we cant' tell you is when with any sense of accuracy. If the weather forecasters can't do it what is the point (and expense) of the weather forecasters? - Note 1 And as for long term weather forecasts, well, buying a crystal ball probably makes more sense! Unfortunately what the weather forecasters (aided and abetted by the media) have got very good at is crying wolf and issuing pointless weather warnings "just to be sure of not being called Michael Fish" which only serves to mask those occasions when such warnings would be REALLY useful. Oh, I forgot, they can't guarantee their forecasts - See Note 1 Reminds me of my former work colleagues based in the Bolton area. They soon enlightened me to Bolton weather forecasting; If you can't see the TV mast on Winter Hill it's raining If you can see the TV mast on Winter Hill it's going to rain* * In my experience the second statement was almost superfluous although, to be fair, I didn't go up there often and the best bit of such trips was always the return drive home over the Snake Pass with a sandwich stop at the Ladybower reservoir. ION I know this sounds unbelievable but the sky was clear after sunset last night! The telescope was therefore dragged out and set up. Difficulties in polar alignment once again highlighted the frustrations incurred in using budget (read that as crappy) equipment. Actually, I'm convinced there would be many more people interested in astronomy and far fewer budget telescopes on EBay, Market Place etc if they sold better quality but less "feature packed" beginners equipment. Most newcomers will try them, fail to get any results through no fault of their own and give up and move onto stamp collecting or whatever. Only the cantankerous, tenacious and persistent few will struggle on to get some results "if it kills me". When you you do actually make some progress and recognise "it's not your fault" the rewards are great! Anyway I did get to take another look at Jupiter again before it (soon) disappears for a few months. Looking at Jupiter always pleases me. I also had a quick squint at the Orion Nebula but then the clouds rolled in and so it was pack it all away time. I had hoped to try and take a look at the Pons-Brooks comet (currently forming an equilateral triangle with Jupiter & Mercury) but by the time it was dark enough it was hiding behind next doors great big oak tree. The new RD brake pads have been fitted this morning although the correct tightening of all nuts, fitting of split pins etc and chain tensioning/wheel alignment have still to be done. The task entailed removing the other silencer in order to get the axle out. So, while it's off the bike, now would seem to be the obvious time to strip it and repaint it so that I have a matching pair. So that is a silencer and a weather van that both need cleaning and painting black. Now, where is my big box of motivation? Or shall I just watch the TV? TTFN

Afternoon! Parcelgate update: 3rd time lucky then! The pergola has now been official declared as Open. A supplementary exercise of refurbishing and re-siting the weather vane has now commenced. This will involve wire-brushing the old paint and rust off of the components, re-painting, mounting on a new steel pole and mounting said pole on the pergola. RD brake shoes dropped through the letter box at precisely the time RM predicted (take copious notes DHL). Now to peruse the workshop manual to find out how to fit them and get the RD on to the bike lift ready for surgery. TTFN

Evening all, very late on parade today. The first impossible task is to find any staff at all in most UK supermarkets now! ION Pergola re-construction is complete - Big tick Parcelgate ...... Pressie ordered for SWMBO. Eventually notification received that it would be delivered by DHL. Some days later DHL notification of parcel received. Yesterday Early morning received text saying it would be delivered between 14:00 and 15:00. 16:00 message received saying "We're running late". Website tracking information stated "Delivering parcel 65 you are delivery 89" 18:00ish Tracking information removed 19:00 message received stating "We've got your parcel in the delivery depot" Today Early morning received text saying it would be delivered between 18:00 and 19:00. Website tracking information eventually stated "Delivering parcel 29 you are delivery 105" 16:00ish Tracking information removed Waited until 19:30, put note on door stating "Can't wait any longer, leave it next door", went down't pub for a meal 20:00 message received stating "We've got your parcel in the delivery depot" What a bunch! Bedtime now. Night All

We had a very nice holiday in Worsted a few years ago. Stayed in a cottage very close to the church I seem to recall. Lovely bells!

Morning* Afternoon All How little some know. Well done for enlightening them ! A roundabout on the A6 not a million miles from Puppershire has for the last 18 months or so been "Being improved". This has caused monumental delays and thus inconvenienced thousands of people (including myself). Thank heavens it is nearly complete. The improvements? Pedestrian crossings with lights on each of the 4 roads close to where they join the roundabout, 300-400 yards of immaculate new pavements leading up to the roundabout, a protection lane for entry into a nearby petrol station (that's a tick by the way), a resurfaced and (allegedly) slightly enlarged roundabout and some new white lines. The cost? £8 MILLION POUNDS according to reports!!! The justification? To increase traffic capacity and flow at peak times. Well, as the increase in size is extremely modest if indeed perceptible at all and the feeds to and from it haven't changed I can't see that happening. Mind you, all those light-controlled pedestrian crossings are going to aid flow aren't they? Luckily because of where it is there are very few pedestrians to press the buttons or indeed spoil all those nice new pavements. You may consider that to be a rant if you wish. That front axle is looking rather dodgy! I'm liking the concept of the double telescopic fork. Could be a patent in there somewhere. The super extended travel would help with the pot holes round here (but not on the A6 roundabout of course as that will be as smooth as a baby's b......) Interesting that the AI has no concept (yet) of why things are as they are in the images it uses to train hence all of the glaring errors in the images. Still, it's early days. ION I phoned the water company yesterday and the recorded message informed that they could provide a ring back service and I wouldn't lose my place in the queue so I thought I'll give that a go. Ten minutes later I got the (automated) ring back with just the same message telling me they even offered a ring back service if I didn't want to wait. For crying out loud, they rang me! 🤣 Anyway, I held the line and it was eventually answered by "Simon". Simon was extremely helpful. He looked at my bill and came to the same conclusion as me; the meter had ceased to be. He explained the process and consequences of the replacement and he outlined a more than satisfactory resolution to the issue of the bill so top marks to him and a whoopee from me! The afternoon yesterday was so nice I felt obliged to go for a thrash on the RD. As is often the case the route may have included dropping into Shuttleworth where I was treated to the added bonus of watching (and listening) to an engine test on the dH Comet. What a beautiful aeroplane that is. Back to today ... My neighbour invited me and a couple of mates to join him on the VMCC's** Thursday lunch run which was aiming for the Danish Camp. Well, it would have been rude not to join in the fun. The RD was going beautifully yesterday but on checking it over on my return I noticed that the rear brake had developed a tendency to stick on. No doubt the rear brake shoes have got to their wear limit so replacements have been ordered. So, an ideal opportunity to give the AJS a long overdue run. Having got it started the other day after its prolonged slumber it started first (proper) kick. We had a nice run out to the DC and I noted that the water level in the Great Ouse was back to something like normal today in marked contrast to our previous visit! Whilst there I bumped into one of my former work colleagues and member of another What's Ap motorcycle group I'm in. We'll catch up properly next week as he's organised a Pie & Pint night at a pub very close to Puppers' kennel 😀 It's all go being retired! We thought we'd round lunch off by dropping into Old Warden for a coffee on the way home. No sooner had we arrived than my rain detector started operating and as you know Puppers doesn't do wet. So we put our helmets back on and roared off for home. It was a shame as rumour had it that they were shortly going to wheel out the lovely Percival Mew Gull seen in the hangar in the background for an engine test. Anyway we managed to get home with out getting wet but guess what? The rain came to nothing ....... TCs! Oh well never mind. TTFN * It was when I started the post! ** Perhaps I ought to get round to actually joining the VMCC some time?

I didn't like to say ..

That's not this Puppers' garage! And what the heck is THAT thing holding the cutters! 🤣 Now that is just cruel. Fancy mentioning the G word when conversing with Mr Bear. A below-the-belt tactic if you ask me Now, on with the planning ...

Morning All! Main activity for the day is planning for a "Special Military Operation". No it's not a war 😂 After that I might go and survey the last two timbers for the pergola and think about finishing it off. Oh yes, I've got to phone the water company to suggest that there might be a teeny weeny error on their latest bill. TTFN

No not me Flavio 😁 Speaking of which; I was walking past a "Fried Chicken" outlet this afternoon (it wasn't KFC as it happens) and a customer staggered out clutching a big bag of "food". I thought to myself by the look of it you certainly don't need that ..... I know, it was very judgemental of me but I just couldn't help myself. Fortunately I only thought it but didn't say it and luckily the person concerned was not reading my mind 😂

Hook, Line and Sinker 🤣