Have spent the last few weeks on various projects. After having seen my friend Marcel put together the bottom half, crankcase – crankshaft, it became clear that I would ask him to also build the top end. He displayed such skills and experience that I knew instantly that he would do a far better job than I could ever dream of doing myself. E.g., he measured the loaded length of the inlet valve springs; those installed by the oracle Jim Comstock, and found a 1 millimetre difference. Unacceptable of course and one wonders what Comstock had been up to? Or is it so that the quality of work is in reverse relationship to the geographical distance to the customer?

Anyway, Marcel got that all sorted out and built the top and from the ground up. He finally showed me that he had ground the valve clearance adjuster’s screws to get a spherical end, which he then placed in tiny cups that goes in between the screws and the valve stems. Now there are2 flat surfaces that rub against each other, with an oil film in between. Very elegant solution that is otherwise only seen on GM Speedway engines.

Tank, seat and fairing received got in for a paint job and my self-designed primary drive cover was made by the laser cutter.

This weekend was spent putting most pieces together, drilling holes here and there, cutting fuel hoses to length and all those other small things that cannot be seen but still have to be done.

Took a couple of photos before I left shop this afternoon.

The coming week will be spent going over every nut and bolt, making sure everything is tightened properly and then filling up engine oil, fork oil and engine fuel.

Then the ignition timing must be set and then we are ready to (try to) fire it up. Not sure I want to be around for that occasion………………………………….