NINE

The Engine...  

started the cleanup and repaint.. but while rotating the crank to check valve clearances etc.. struck a slight problem.. it stopped.. mmm reverse it and go forward .. stop.. ooppps  not good.. OK lets find a light take a look down the plug holes and    ooohhh shit somethings in there.. OK time to get the top off... as soon as the head cleared and I got my first glimpse of the pistons... my heart sank.. First thought damm #1's been holed and she's rusted to bits.. bugger bugger.. but hang on that's not rust .. mmm its a bloody wasp nest.. long since abandoned but still all that sticky stuff and mud has stopped the piston.. bit of a cleanup and a further strip down and things aren't all that grim after all.. in fact it's good ..has made me freshen up the engine valves Hone and new gaskets and sealers ..a good cleanout of the sump  some other new bits as recommended by Ash and others and I'll have a good strong reliable engine .. every step of this build has just been so positive.. 

Pickup Ride route map.....

2 more sleeps and it's ON... I've decided on a trial run ride..I  will be taking the road to Bathurst then onto Sidy's Oberon mountain leg, then wagga, wodonga, Mansfield, Reefton and home... all up around 1220k's and total riding time of around 19 hrs.. 

I have 2 days to do it in..and I'm so looking forward to the break..for the past 9mths I've been working a shitload of hrs with very little time off... On 911 thats Nov 9 '09 it'll be 1 year since I was admitted for a double bypass op... So this will be my first getaway since way before then.. in fact it'll be 2 years since I've been away on break and that was a week in Tassie with SWWBO.. So I'm packed and ready to go...   

As for "The Hulk"

engine paint will be picked up tomorrow  .. as well as a liberal amount of degreaser... taking plenty of time and effort to mask up well.............