Mat's BX Blog

[mat_fenwick]

Calipers arrived today and it was a nice simple job to fit them.



Everything is now bled OK, so finally I can relax with a fully overhauled braking system.

[Dollywobbler]

Have been doing likewise to my German barge today as well. All nice and simple in the end.

[mat_fenwick]

After a day out walking yesterday...



...today was spent working on the white BX for the first time in months! (Did I mention Lana was out for the day? ) Job number 1 was to get it started, which it didn't want to do. Turned out to be a poor connection to the glowplug relay so easily sorted.

Then I changed the cambelt this morning:





It looked well overdue - I've not checked the history in terms of mileage but it's been stood for several years so worth doing for peace of mind for the new owner (and me when they do the MOT smoke check!)

I then gave it a good wash and polish, and the paintwork seems to have come up amazingly well! All suggesting that at one point it was a well looked after car, and not a workhorse.

[Dollywobbler]

Looks great. Front number plate may be an issue for the MOT? Depends how strict your testers are further north!

[MULLEY]

I'm surprised you're getting rid, i'd keep hold of a car that looks as nice as that, might also be a bit more economical than the red hooligan

[mat_fenwick]

It does ride more smoothly than the red one but that could be just down to the NA spec. spheres (which look well old but ride well). However, I've barely got time to maintain/improve the fleet I have so another car wouldn't help!

I'm trying to de-clutter and raise a bit of cash - my bike which I've been thinking of selling for a couple of years I really must advertise I started it up today actually; even with petrol which was several years old it started pretty quickly and idled beautifully. Or maybe I should restore it all over again?

[mds141]

BMW R series are becoming very popular of late Mat. Especially in the custom scene. Cafe racer style R de riguer.

[mat_fenwick]

I know, trouble is I get attached to things and don't want to get rid. I've had the bike for nearly 14 years now, ever since I was a floppy haired (almost) teenager.



So many memories, of summer holidays spent touring France, Ireland etc. But putting a realistic head on I haven't ridden it on the road in 3 years; the weather round here isn't encouraging, Lana doesn't like it any more and it's a shame to see it getting rustier, unused. Suppose I should put an MOT on it before sale, but once I ride it I won't want to sell!

[citsncycles]

Tis a nice looking bike that!

[Defender110]

I like that white TGD...a lot!

[Mickey taker]

im glad all your problems with



are sorted mate , the white estate looks great

[mat_fenwick]

MOT booked for tomorrow for the white BX - I've addressed all the failure points (and more!) from the last MOT but that was nearly 4 years ago now so lets see what they find. I'm considering getting some none turbo front spheres for mine now after a quick spin in it at the weekend, as the ride is noticeably softer.

[Dollywobbler]

Yup, I noticed that when I had The Green Tiger and the TXD Turbo at the same time. Not sure the firmer spheres really improve handling at all.

[Tinkley]

If I remember rightly the BX internal valve/orifice sizes for the suspension fluid were different for different models and it got stiffened over time. Check that 'tramontana' BX website as I believe the details of the sizes are on that or links to the relevant info.

Good luck with the white'un.

[mat_fenwick]

Cheers, but I think I needed a little more luck! It's failed on a CV boot, ball joint boot, and (bizarrely) a leaking front brake caliper. I say bizarrely as it wasn't leaking a week ago when I took the wheel off to do the cambelt! So bad luck to have started leaking on the 3 mile journey to the MOT station.