I worked on Saturday morning, doing some tip runs to remove a pile of unwanted goods from a flat I'm decorating (the tenants did a bunk). After dropping off the last load I thought I would call in to the Trike Shop to see the couple who run it. They have an industrial unit about 400 metres from the tip and as I pulled into the estate I saw that the bollards across the gateway were up, leaving a small gap for entry. I thought "best slow down" and braked. The van went sideways on the ice and smacked off a parked trailer. Damage was limited to one wing and the sidelight, but I was pretty pissed off as this was my first 4-wheel accident. Anyway, they gave me a cup of coffee and I had a nice natter.
One interesting thing they had there was a modern cruiser fitted with a trike back end and Harley Servicar style bodywork. They reckon the look is getting more popular and it also offers massive boot space for luggage.
Back at home I set to in the garage on the two bikes I am selling. The GB didn't go too well as one of the oil union bolts didn't want to move and I didn't want to risk rounding it. Consequently the bike still has a really ugly oil cooler hanging from it instead of the standard oil line I was going to refit. To balance this out though I had a good go at the CB500 and managed to hook the centrestand spring back on. It went quite easily this time (after a failed earlier attempt) and i think the difference was that i had more room to work in this time... which makes me more determined to get the two bikes sold and out of my way.
I also refitted the standard lower frame rail to the CB in place of the one with a sidecar lug welded to it. I also removed all the other sidecar lugs and I was pleased to see that there is no damage from the bike's brief stint as a sidecar outfit. I took off the heated grips because my brother wants them for the Dragon... I did wonder though what he thinks I'm going to do without them. If push comes to shove I suppose I could buy my own
In the evening I borrowed two acrow props from a neighbour and got stuck into rebuilding a section of chimney breast in a room I'm renovating. I have some wood lintels stuck into the side of the chimney and the brickwork under them is in pretty ropey condition. I could have just rendered over it and I'm sure it would have been fine, but why cut corners?
Today was spent looking after my kids and making coffee for occasional guests, interspersed with continued re-pointing and bricklaying.
Tonight will probably be partly spent in a pub.
GC
