Author: Joe
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…