I used Vincent's suggested method of machining a flange on the body of the old sprocket mating with a flange on the new ring of teeth with my Douglas 3 years ago. If you put a parting tool into the side of the sprocket just at the root of the teeth, [rather than trying to machine the edge] you can m...

The original zinc plate [and the dynamo strap is only one example] lasted a good 10 minutes.... That's why they don't look plated. Silas.

If you have a sturdy metal dustbin, take the lid off chuck a sack over the bin to protect your spokes. This makes an excellent stand for tyre changing that saves a lot of the back-ache and protects the spindle ends, sprockets et.c. Polishing the business end of your tyre levers and keeping that bit ...

Was just thumping along the A47 to annoy Norwich when another possibility [well 2x, but one isn't so good] occured to me. No chance that the inner tube you used was injected with 'anti pucture sealant' is there? This is known for its ability to stay fluid for ages and then suddenly take it into its ...

Front Upper engine bolt maybe broken inside its crankcase tunnel and this is impossible to see externally. The weight of the engine holds the broken bolt ends quite firmly until they suddenly and dramatically fly out as you come in through your front gate. Put a spanner on each end and see if you ca...

These will usually come undone if well soaked. A great wadge of rag or kitchen roll soaked in diesel, or paraffin [if you can combine either of those with some brake fluid -or better still automatic transmission fluid- so much the better]. Leave as long as you can. Two days absolute minimum. If you ...

If we are getting really anorak-technical the 'secateur' type spring is a "volute" spring. No doubt so-called because of its ability to volute into the darkest corner of the workshop. Silas.

Valve lifter.jpg As you can see the Ariel item ends in a disk with a pin protuding. It is this pin that presses down on the valve retainer to open it. As far as I can see from your photograph this disc and pin is absent [?]. Also the screwed portion that goes thought the rocker cover looks far to l...

Commonest failure of Ariel decompressors is the lever to spindle joint. It is a taper fit. It is probably loose, or fitted at the wrong angle. Undo the nut at the end of the spindle. If the arm falls off you then know why it is not working. If it stays tight see if the little peg that presses down o...

Bakelite polishes beautifully with Brasso, Autosol or similar. Use hard paste wax to finish or shoe polish works well if you haven't got anything better to hand. "FIM0" is excellent for Bakelite repairs. Craft shops sell it. It is a plastic modelling material that you set with moderate hea...