[vhgmcbuddy]

Well, good luck with that one Charlie. Have to say, the advantageof the Commer with the dropsides is you’ve got reasonable height protection all round, and its easy to secure the straps at variuos points round the machines. I also make sure they are in gear and wheels chocked. The front 2 machines I sandwich up against the back of the cab. May be belt and braces, but better safe than sorry, especially when you can achieve nearly 43mph downhill with a following wind!

[vhgmcbuddy]

You are a total muppet if you cant tie down a load. You should not be towing a trailer if you cant

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’ve got some business in the area in a couple of months time, so was going to call by.I find that you often get a better response in person, I’m hopping that they may have some records as to who they sold it to?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thats tragic. My sympathies to the new owners.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Funny you should say that, Andy. The 700 is actually one of the other machines I would like (I lied when I said one other above). Have to be one with the Hirth diesel though – I know, they’re a lot of trouble compared to the 2-stroke, but I operated a Hirth as a kid and loved the way they sound. The occasional 700 crops up on that auction site, but very rarely a Hirth. However, I am patient!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Lovely to see another one for preservation. Any idea how many of these were sold in the UK, Charlie? I’m just wondering what my chances are of adding the last machine I really need to complete the collection! (Well, acually not the last, you can never have enough, but don’t tell the wife…)

[vhgmcbuddy]

It took about 3 hours to get the rear rotor covers to line up. Some of this was caused by poor manufacturing process which is a little disappointing considering how much they cost and some of it was caused by trying to fit them to a machine they weren’t designed to fit. I also fitted a new decal and a new brass plate that I’d had made.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

After the paint had set for a few days I started to build the old girl back up. After connecting up the handles and gear rods I’m pleased to report that all gears seem to select properly. I also highlighted some black bits and fitted the closest match I could find to the original grips.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

The starting handle rotating sleeve was sized as usual so this was got very hot. After prepping a few items I then sprayed most the loose parts. I also gave the rotor covers a rub down and another blow over as I wasn’t happy with the finish I’d got before.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

One of the items missing from this gem was the chain cover, early ones were plain with no adjuster cut out. They are like hens teeth, however I luckily had one in my store but it was quite battered and corroded. It took about a weeks worth of work to straighten.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Several years ago I managed to buy a batch of N.O.S oil filters for gems so one was duly fitted.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

I then recieved a very nice package in the post off Titch from Machinery Decals. They really lift the appearance of the gem.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Several years ago I purchased a new set of rotor covers off standen engineering. The price was quite eye watering, however because the covers on this machine were definatley past it, I decided to use them on it. They needed a lot of modifying to match the older type with metal being let in, seems welded up etc then smoothed off with filler.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

After painting the oil filter housing and rotor shaft clutch plate,the handles and tank were dry enough to refit.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

I trial fitted the rotor chain backing plate to make sure everything still lined up. Then set about changing the bearings. The bottom one took over 2 hours to extract with a lot of banging and swearing! Even our 75 tonne press wouldn’t touch it, however it was a common metric one so pleasantly cost only a few pounds.

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[Author]

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