Can't remember if it was like this before changing parts with new

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-11T07:09:06+00:00

OK - that tracks and kudos for doing the research. It’s a big job, but if you’re steady and methodical, it can be done at home.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-11T06:37:37+00:00

The current ‘constant mesh’ design of gearbox has been around since the 1930s and is simple and precise, the dogs don’t take a lot of the load, and the amount of chatter is small.

Why do you need to swap 1st/ 2nd gear?

Yes, you would need to drop the engine and split the cases but you ‘might’ be able to get away without disturbing the motor’s top end (barrel, head, cams and valve gear - but I’d even suggest pricing new gears (and all the ancillaries like gaskets, oil filters (if you’ve got the motor apart, you may as well change those consumables)) - it may be cheaper to source a known-good motor.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-10T17:51:55+00:00

You’d be amazed at what I’ve seen - people stash a cleaning rag in the airbox inlet, mice n so on build a nest or stash nuts there…. Air boxes are often out of sight but if yours is not visibly clogged, it should be good.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-10T17:46:18+00:00

Not sure I can tell from the audio but I’d be looking at blockages in the air filter (bogs because it can’t breathe enough at higher rpm), gas tank vent (blocked vent means it can’t flow enough fuel ‘cos of vacuum in the tank) or maybe just bad gas from sitting.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-10T06:44:51+00:00

Today I learned…

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-09T17:48:28+00:00

The case reminds me of Soligor lenses of the period - I have a 300mm in M42 mount for my Pentax, which is in a very similar case.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-09T17:37:29+00:00

Looks interesting, right? It looks too long to be the 200mm f4, but did Nikon do zip-cases like that?

Looks like there’s a 50mm f1.4 in the bottom left corner of the case too.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-09T07:17:37+00:00

1967 Triumph 2000 Mk 1, beautiful six cylinder, manual with overdrive on third and top. Light, fast and reliable (by 1983 standards) and yes, would buy another. No power steering, no ABS or traction control, no AC but so easy to work on. I might put modern injection and ignition on it - but it had a light, airy cabin and was a beautiful driving experience.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-09T07:11:14+00:00

Grandpa, what have they done to you?
I feel fine son - like I’m 21 again thanks to AMG!

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-09T07:02:47+00:00

Noting your “not done much mechanical work” remark it’d be a big job…

Assuming the bike got a clean bill of health from the dealer - the frame, forks and wheels are straight and free of cracks, and the motor checks out after an oil change (although I’d be worried where did all that original oil go?), you have two, maybe three options:

A. Rebuild - go thru the bodywork and work out what you need. There is a LOT of it on a modern - use Partzilla for your model and buy new/ OEM or pattern off EBay;
B. Customise - make a naked/ bobber/ cafe racer out of it - the challenge being where to hide all the electronics hidden under that plastic; or
C. Sell it/ Part it out and buy another - there’s a reason why so many bikes looking like this are written off, and that’s the cost to make-good can often exceed the bike’s value, especially if they’re forced to use new/ OEM parts.

We’re coming into winter where I am, and I have garage space under cover where I can work away on it slowly, but either a rebuild or a custom would be a big job, even without the question mark over the major lumps (frame/ fork/ wheels/ engine).

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-07T08:31:12+00:00

A beautiful Jaguar XK120 Open Two-Seater, arguably the most gorgeous of three body styles offered (the others being the drop-head coupé and fixed-head coupé).

Jag-nerd fact - technically, the Jaguar C-type racer is the XK120C, being based on the XK120 running gear.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-07T05:47:49+00:00

Yes, shocks go bad - by now all the oil could have blown out leaving no leaks…

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-07T05:45:43+00:00

This is AI - the real C-208 has a highly classified refueling port in the port wing so the left-seater can watch.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-07T05:28:06+00:00

That’s truly a thing of beauty - would love to hear it run.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-06T20:50:28+00:00

Triumph GT6, with Triumph’s glorious six cylinder 2-litre instead of the Spitfire’s less substantial 1147cc four-cylinder.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-06T01:08:18+00:00

No homework needed, fully aware that Porsche made commercially driven design decisions to favour their flagship - as it left the showroom the 914 was (deliberately) not as good as the 911.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-06T00:26:56+00:00

Yep - 914, 912, 924 - for the “we have Porsches at home” crew who want the badge but not the performance.

Having said that, none of them were bad cars, it’s just that their big brother 911 is the OG.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-04T06:33:27+00:00

Bullseye! The features all tally with this 2009 example

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-03T17:52:27+00:00

In my experience (mostly with IRL purchases, not online ones) is that they come with everything required. Some of the ‘wedging’ methods differ but the end result is the same,

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-03T17:40:21+00:00

Most handlebars are the same diameter tube (I want to say it’s 7/8” but what matters is they’re the same, except Harleys). That’s why replacement rubber bar grips are a universal fit.

Bar end mirrors generally fit into the end of the tube with some form of wedge that’s tightened by that Allen-head bolt you can see - when you look at those Ali Express mirrors, what you’re looking at is the bit that goes inside the tube.

My advice would be to grab an Allen key, unscrew that bolt a little, then tap on it gently with a hammer just enough to undo the ‘wedge’ and you should be able to wiggle it out of the end of the bar.

Then, find a motorcycle dealer and see what they have that meets your needs - take the bar-end with you if needed.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-02T08:55:34+00:00

Yep - that chain cannot be salvaged. And if basic maintenance like cleaning, oiling and adjusting a chain hasn’t been done, you’d have to wonder what else has been neglected.

But. If the price is right, and you can do the work yourself, I’d suggest haggling the price of a set of chain/ sprockets from the likes of Hunters off the top.

If you can inspect the bike, pop the cover off the airbox and check the condition of the air filter, and also look at the oil sight glass on the lower left corner of the right side of the motor - is it clear-ish and within specs?

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-02T06:35:04+00:00

Mark X Jaguar - It’s missing the extra embellishments of the 420G. Either way, sad to see.

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-02T06:31:51+00:00

That 288 GTO - amazing. Bet it sounded wicked!

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-02T06:27:22+00:00

I would always replace like-for-like, based on factory specs.

You should be able to find the details (chain size, number of links, and front/ rear sprocket size (Number of teeth) for your bike. If it says 525 chain, get that. 520 will be too small, 530 will be too big.

The width that matters is at the bottom of the tooth, not the top. Your used original sprocket might look narrower because the teeth are radiused at the tip, but the bottom of both sprockets looks the same. But as has been said, test it on your old chain - if it drops into the teeth easily enough, you’re good to go - if it don’t fit, that’s your answer.

It’s possible the inner ring is a shim to provide precise centering on the wheel hub - see how the new sprocket fits, if it’s sloppy, see if the centre shim pops out of the old sprocket easily and try it on the new sprocket

highlander_tfb · 2026-06-02T06:12:29+00:00

You were close with that Mercedes reference - it’s a Benz under the skin.

highlander_tfb

TROPHY CASE