Workshop update from Saturday November 4th… Here are details of some of the things that were achieved by our members during the session. Ural 650… Annabelle, Don and Dave teamed up to help complete the bike’s aesthetics.  Once the bike was looking suitably resplendent, Annabelle took the bike for a test ride.  After some tickling and choking of the carburettors the engine fired up at the first kick.  Annabelle returned a short while later and was very happy with the way that the bike ran and handled.  There was just one more hurdle to overcome in the form of the speedometer drive that had done a runner from the gearbox.   Some more work will be needed at the next workshop session in order to install a replacement speedo drive.  Let’s hope it can be slid into the gearbox from outside without the need to strip the gearbox. Yamaha TY80 Various trials and tribulations in all corners of the workshop today with regard to the Yamaha TY 80.  The forks n...

Since finally getting the bike running  and roadworthy Annabelle had been suffering from severe clutch drag.  There was no choice but to remove the gearbox to get at the clutch and replace parts.  Along with her team of enthusiastic mechanics Annabelle soon had the gearbox off the box and the clutch in pieces.  They managed to do it with the engine in situ which was no mean feat. We had previously spotted a warped steel place, so that was replaced and the main component in the clutch was turned around to face the correct way.  By the end of the session of the bike was back together and running with a clutch that no longer dragged.  Now all that remains is a bit of final tuning and to re-attach the sidecar.  Hopefully it will now give long service.  I have to say I have never seen a bike with so many faults built into it by its previous owner.  It's relatively simple engineering and an enthusiastic owners group on Facebook, meant that in the m...

Since this member’s bike last featured in our blog, a lot of puzzling and head scratching finally solved the problem of the ill-fitting rear wheel.  It transpired that the manufacturers had chosen to install the taper roller bearings  with the outer race facing inwards.  This may not mean much to the less mechanically inclined amongst you but let me tell you that Ural seem to be in a minority of one.  I have never seen  taper roller bearings fitted in this fashion.  However once installed in this way the wheel is finally wobble free.  Attention then moved to the front forks and we found they were as flexible as the average piece of hosepipe.  The forks were stripped and bushes swapped with some from another set of forks.   This helped to give some rigidity to the front end.  Apparently those in the know tell us to expect a little flexibility, it is quite normal.  Praise must also go to Dave Moon who has kindly reconstructed the...

Phil J continued is constructing what is in effect a new wiring loom for the bike and it looks a very professional piece of work to. Dave and Annabelle also removed, stripped and reassembled the front forks complete with fresh oil.

This bike belongs to club member Annabelle. Problems with a sloppy rear wheel have been overcome with the purchase of a new wheel spindle (Many thanks to Ianto for tracking one down) The one that had been fitted previously was not the correct length. Phil J kindly began working to replace large parts of the bike’s electrics. I had also done some work to begin overhauling the carburettors.