The end of the season?

There you are. On a beautiful autumn day. The garage door is open. The garden door isn't, because otherwise our former stray dog ​​will go on an excursion. Lola is formerly Romanian and, despite all her traumas, just as sensitive to treatment as a classic motorcycle. Only, old motorcycles don't panic so easily.

The '76 V7 is on the lift in the garage. The new mufflers supplied by Jan Robers are No NOS, but unlike many reference or aftermarket parts, they fit perfectly. The investment paid off after my Moto Guzzi V65 was bought by Albert Venema from Drempt, with the motto: "That thing just has to come out of your shed at some point." The original mufflers that were on the good 700 were certainly still usable, but had a bit too much patina for me. Maybe I can make someone else happy with them. But for now, they're in the crate with Ural/Dnepr/Chang parts. With over half a century of authentic patina, the freshly sprayed tank, and the new mufflers, the Guzzi is now, for me, an example of imperfect beauty.

The V7's front wheel still needs some attention. The ticking sound while turning was clearly not bearing damage; it disappeared when I loosened the axle nut. As I tightened the nut further, the ticking became louder. It sounds like something is too close together somewhere. It won't be on the "cover" side. So it must be on the brake drum side, where the noise is coming from. I'll try it with a shim...

Once that problem is solved, the Guzzi can come off the bridge and the Ural/Dnepr/Chang can go back on. A different upper engine mount needs to be made, and then the Big Challenge can begin. Originally conceived as a 12V IMZ/Ural, the wiring has been converted to an (even more) simplified version of a 6V/KMZ version 1.0. So, it needs to go back to a 12V system with extra wires for the starter motor, which is where it all started. That will be a balancing act at the top of my game.

The assembly of the Chang engine, combined with my own back problems, turned out to be quite straightforward after some preventative thinking. Using a double A-frame plus a crossbar (a former child's swing frame), my E-hoist, and four jacks (1 to 2 euros each at local thrift stores), the flat-twin was molded into the frame completely weightlessly after the starter motor was removed from the engine.

Just before the old boxer went off the bridge, I thought—after all, appearances matter too—to install the exhaust headers and mufflers. During a previous visit to Genemuiden, Richard Busweiler had given me a set of new Chang exhaust headers—completely free of charge. He was completely honest, with the caveat: "I had a few sets, but I'm actually hesitant to sell them. But you're a bit of a tinkerer and a trial-and-error kind of gal. So: good luck with that."

Long story short: the bends confirmed all the horror stories about cheap Chinese junk. Meanwhile, the Chinese have proven they can actually make things right. The left bend didn't fit in two dimensions, the right didn't fit in three. After a lot of prying, jacking, and bending, the ends of the bends pointed sadly downward. Luckily, I still had the set of hand-made "original" bends made from a kind of scaffolding pipe. They fit the Chang heads better and aligned better with the lower frame tubes.

Anyway, that project had to be put on hold to make room for the Guzzi. This afternoon, the Guzzi can be put away for the winter, and the boxer project will continue.

Meanwhile, my 125cc Mash—which many people consider a classic—also needs a break from its usual neglect. I bought the 2017 model cheaply, and it's brought me a lot of enjoyment. The "Black Edition" is painted with paint from Action. It's had all sorts of modifications done since then, but it still starts, even after sitting in the rain for a week. It's used to pick up cigars in the village and hasn't made it further than Doetinchem yet. It does about 2000-3000 km a year.

The humble Chinese takeout will never become a classic. Maybe it's just getting old. But it looks pleasantly dated and is therefore apparently nostalgically endearing for an uninformed audience. So, I just remembered that the Mash first needs fresh oil, a new oil filter, and a new chain and sprocket set. The most enthusiastic Mash dealer in the universe, Bonne van der Schaaf, supplied a one-tooth-larger-than-normal front sprocket. Fellow villager Ger Kranenberg of (GeKra) still had a NOS MZ chain lying around, and the Viertaktwinkel (Four-stroke shop) could supply a suitable rear sprocket.

What a privilege it is to own old motorcycle junk.

And if the weather stays good for a few more days…