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Messages - McCabe-Thiele (Ted)
1
« on: Today at 10:54:38 AM »
I don't know the current figures but DVLA deal with a lot of enquiries, no surprise that some things get lost in such a large organisation.
Like Murf I have found them helpful, a case in point was when my late mother who when she turned 70 had to change to a photo licence. In the applicaion form for identification purposes they wanted a current passport photo & birth certificate amongst the options.
I spoke to a guy at DVLA who said they would accept an out of date passport if her appearance had not changed substatntially (about 5 years out of date!), I explained that my mother had no birth certificate as the records were lost in Austria by Allied bombing. He confirmed our conversation by email, asked me to send in a written application rather than online & enclose the email he sent.
New photo licence was issued, all the renewals were then done online for the next 15 years.
2
« on: March 12, 2026, 03:13:32 PM »
I prefer the conventional Yuasa batteries, a precise fit for our bikes. On my bike each Yuasa lasted 7 years. If you wanna profit fully from AGM technique like Motobatt offers, 14,8 V charging is needed. Gel batteries on the otherhand don't like charging over 14,4V. Acid lead batteries like the Yuasa are forgiving and deal with spikes nicely. No adapters needed and no risk of error connecting.
I'm a big fan of Yuasa batteries, they are fitted to our Cars, iirc they use EFB technology. Oddly enough when I needed a battery for my bikes I was at the time unable to find a supplier so ended up with Motobatt. My latest C-Tek charger has AGM auto detect built into the display.
3
« on: March 12, 2026, 02:30:52 AM »
I have used Tanya which is cheaper and lasted well
Bryan, ehen you mention Tanya as cheaper and lasting well are you referring to their own Powerline brand?
4
« on: March 11, 2026, 08:52:51 PM »
I'm a Motobatt fan as well, iirc they have left and right connection points so adding any extra wires such as a charging plug is easy.
5
« on: March 09, 2026, 10:58:29 PM »
There are always some valves that are down on tdc.
Good point Ken, I guess Johny could rotate the engine and see if the high point moves to different valves or simply fit the top cover, adjust the valve clearances with a somewhat wider gap (not running the engine) to put his mind at rest on the valve seat cutting. If all valves close okay, set the correct gap and re-check.
6
« on: March 07, 2026, 11:17:01 PM »
Aye Bryan,
Same here, we always used 10W/40 Castrol, and during winter time 10W/30 Castrolite in Honda stepthru's etc.
Anyone else remember Castrolite oil from the Seventies?
When I was 15 (1963) I used to work on a petrol forecourt at weekends, one of my jobs on Sundays was to fill up the 1 pint and 0ne quart Castrol Oil Glass Jars that had a wire clamp lid up to the measure line with either Catsrol L, XL or XXL although the name rings a distant bell I had to Google Castrolite to find it was an early Multigrade oil launched in 1948. I do remember Castrol GTX coming onto the market, at that time the forecourt sold more Duckhams 20/50, the cheaper alternative was either Redex Motor Oil or the locally produced Silkolene Oil that was said to be recycled oil made in the Belper Refinery.
7
« on: March 07, 2026, 08:19:14 PM »
Even with Honda quality, seals perish with age, those used in all weathers will eventually seize, mine was pretty corroded, possibly salt ingress.
I'm pretty sure a lot of our bikes avoid rain whenever possible so it should be a long term fix once new seals are fitted with grease that does not dry out with the heat of braking.
8
« on: March 07, 2026, 02:15:46 PM »
Reads like Mission creep.😀
9
« on: March 06, 2026, 10:22:23 PM »
Welcome to the sohc community LC Interesting boomerang ownership history. I've only ever owned one vehicle twice, a Mini Cooper from 1974 to 1984, I asked the buyer to give me first refusal when he wanted to sell it. I bought it back in 1989 sold it 6 months later as I was strapped for cash, wish I still owned it. It still exists on DVLA it was listed as Multi-Coloured now back to the original Battleship Grey. .  Mini Cooper 1275 by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr
10
« on: March 06, 2026, 10:40:22 AM »
On brassware I have found white vinegar works well.
(Jar in the Ultrasound Bath)
11
« on: March 04, 2026, 09:55:24 AM »
Our car has far too many controls that need to be accessed via a touch screen, it has some voice control that needs a pretty fixed script to work. Bring back manual controls & switches.
The idea of touchscreen is madness on a motorbike.
How can anyone open a car door with concealed door handles in the event of an accident?
12
« on: March 02, 2026, 11:10:54 PM »
13
« on: March 02, 2026, 06:49:36 PM »
Mine were as Bryan described, rusty with flat spots, at the time replacement ball bearings were not available,
they are now.
Other considerations are cable routing, is the guide bracket bolted to the cam cover with the center O sleeve present and bolted in the correct position?
The clutch cables start sticking/binding. Due to the exposure to heat they might look good externally, that does not mean they are good internally.
14
« on: March 01, 2026, 06:48:56 PM »
Is your bike a 400?
If so is the mechanism in the housing with the three ball bearings on in good condition?
15
« on: February 28, 2026, 10:59:09 PM »
In defence of CWC I take my bare hubs to them to build,having obtained a quote by email for rims, spokes & tyres.
That way any issues are their problem.
Only issue I had with my 400 was the front tyre was fitted the wrong way round, they collected the wheel by courier and delivered it back f.o.c.
PS For the relatively modest labour charge for building a wheel I have peace of mind.
Hats off to those who build up their own rims, respect.
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