Engine strip continued.

Time for the clutch.  This is a slightly different setup compared to the average Japanese bike.  Normally the pressure plate can be removed and the plates taken out but on the Rotax engine, the aluminium hub needs to removed too.

First remove the six screws from the pressure plate.

Now remove the plate and the springs behind it.

This leaves the centre nut and its tab washer.  Hit the tab back with a chisel and a hammer and remove the nut.  You'll need a clutch locking tool to lock the hub and clutch basket together unless you have access to an air gun.  Luckily I have an air gun!

Now the centre hub can be lifted out.

The plates can now be pulled out together.  Just as well because these are stuck together.

The clutch basket can now be removed, taking care with the order of the bearings, shims/spacers etc. on the gearbox shaft.  Refit them into the basket in the correct order and put a zip tie around to keep them in place.  If the engine is apart for several months, you'll be glad you did.

One clutch removed.  Next we'll get the kickstart ratchet, idler gear and disc valve cover out.

Couldn't resist!

I couldn't let the Bombardier stay parked up any longer.  With the Can-am project in Australia taking a back seat for a few weeks, it was time to wheel out "old faithful". 

Well the battery was well past its best but that wasn't going to prevent me riding.  I checked the frame for two-stroke oil and half-inched a gallon of dad's petrol.  Several kicks over later and I guessed she was flooded.  Plug out and dried, engine kicked over to clear the crankcase and then the plug back in.  A few kicks later and she filled the shed and garden with the sweet smell of two-stroke fumes once more!

Then a quick blast up to Coleford and another MOT from Beales!  Success - and the return journey consisted of a few local trails I know.  The incredible scenery in the Wye Valley really is something else and not a soul to be seen!

A great afternoon and I'm looking forward to the next few days.  Perfect weather and a ride on one of my favourite bikes.  Good times!

Restoration project: I have one!

We've got a live one here!
It ain't pretty, and there's a lot of work to do, but what an awesome project if I can pull it off!


From what I can gather, it hasn't been run for the last fifteen odd years, and spent around ten of those sat by a pool, three sat on this fence post, with scarecrow aboard, and the last two lying on the ground after it fell off the fence post!

I was in two minds about taking it, but it's a Bombardier Can-am T'n'T 175 and, being as I've owned a few 250's, couldn't miss the chance of taking on another.  Besides, I hate to see anything rotting away.  That's the boot of Doug the dummy and yes, it looked like a dead body!

So Angus, the present owner, fetched the Bobcat and lifted her over the fence so we could have a proper look and I became the proud owner of yet another Bombardier.  For the princely sum of a bottle of Scotch.  Does it get any better than that?

So what can I tell you about it?  This particular bike was made in 1975 by Bombardier.  Known for making planes, trains, snowmobiles etc., their off-road motorcycles were called Can-am's.  This is a T'n'T 175 (short for track and trail).  Powered by a Rotax 2-stroke, disc valve engine with the obvious capacity of 175 cc.

There's a lot missing and a lot that may need to be thrown away.  Is it worth restoring?  Probably not, but restoration shouldn't be about the money - more the enjoyment of problem solving and the pride you get with the finished article.  I wanted to showcase a restoration - showing what could be achieved and, although this could be pushing the boundaries somewhat, will try to do a good job.  Wish me luck.

We lay it in the back of the Falcon and took it home.  Dave, who actually found it for me, was a legend!  We unloaded and quick as a flash he was there, hosing the bike down, then trying to get the seat and tank back on.  He was as excited as I was to see what it would look like.  Even Gaby said she liked it but I'm not sure I believe her as yet.

This is Queensland, Australia and the wildlife wasn't too impressed with the move! Huge spiders living aboard suddenly decided to hop off and make tracks but the ants nest in the front drum still seems to be going strong!

All in all a great weekend and I got what I wanted.  Hopefully Angus is as pleased with the Scotch as I am with the bike.

The clean-up operation will commence soon!  (I promise.)