Author: Joe

Spitfire Chassis Strip Down

So I’ve continued with the Spitfire today. Last week I removed the engine and gearbox along with the radiator. I removed the engine with ease using an electric winch I was given and my dad has installed in the garage to do just this (or lift motorbikes). I plan to work on the engine and any other mechanical parts or suspension over the […]

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Automotive Surgery

Now it’s really coming on and there’s no turning back. I finished removing everything from the body tub this weekend. The pedals, fuel tank and hand brake cable. Although I hadn’t realised the handbrake cable was still attached to the body initially. We tried to pull the body tub off the chassis and it didn’t get very far. It’s strange to see what […]

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Spitfire Restoration Continues

I spent a fair while working on the Spitfire today. Mainly concentrating on the interior and the wiring loom. Last time I worked on it I removed the bumpers, lights, quarter valances, various bits of chrome trim and the boot trim. Most of that went fairly smoothly. The only bit I found hard was taking the side lights/indicators out of the quarter valances. […]

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Small Car, Mammoth Task

I’ve owned my ’79 Spitfire 1500 for about 8 years now. It’s been used as my daily driver every year, through every season with the exception of about 1 year when I was in Australia for 6 months and unemployed for the next 6 months. I paid about £3800 for it back then and it was in immaculate condition. Not a spot of […]

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Motorbike Tour of France

Back in 2009 I went on my first trip to Europe on my new bike, a Triumph TT600, my pride and joy. It’s something I’m really pleased that I got to do. My friends Joe, Luke, Tom, my dad and brother Chris all came too. All riding in Europe for the first time. I’ve been on some tours since but nothing quite compares to […]

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Pale Ale Partial Mash

It’s that time again and I’ve done another partial mash brew to have ready for Christmas. The recipe is below. I should say that I’ve used the terms “mash” and “sparge” pretty loosely here! Mash 2KG Maris Otter low colour (2.5 EBC) for 90 mins – went for 64°C this time Sparge (75°C) Start the 90 minute boil with 30g East Kent Goldings […]

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