Peter Roat aka "Roatavator"

No Dave, quite agree. As someone who has forgotten to put the miller drive in neutral when reversing, its definitely something you only do once in a lifetime!

I think, from my very rusty old memeory, that the only 56’s I’ve seen with 2 tanks have had the arrangement your TVO instructions show, Charlie. Suggesting it was only ever an optional extra for the 56, whereas I think all the A5’s I’ve seen pics of have had the 2 combined tanks in the single manufactured assembly, suggesting all were like this…[Read more]

Hi Andy
I’m sure I’ve seen 56’s with 2 tanks, but I think 1 tank was more common. I’ve looked on the French site, there doesn’t seem to be any specific info relating to tanks on the 56, perhaps Charlie will know.

Sorry Dave, I should have said “Anyone apart from Dave…” as I knew you’d be there!

Peter

Hi Andy
Its got 2 tanks. The A5 manual (in English!) which I downloaded from the French site says the machines were supplied with 3 carb needles, one for petrol (or benzol), one for alcohol (!) and one for paraffin. I’ve just trawled a few images of A5’s and every one I can find has 2 tanks. I think 2 tanks were standard, have you seen one without?

Peter

In talking to our French friends on the SIMAR site, they said the A5 is pretty rare on the continent, and they thought more were sold over here. Got me wondering, who else out there has got one? (There are one or two I know about, but no more than that.)

Dave, there’s a fighting chance I’ll be able to make it one of the two days, don’t know which one yet. Do I have to register or can I just turn up?
Peter

You have made some excellent choices. I mean both the SIMARS and the wife!

Were these the ones advertised in the Cultivator? I was very tempted by all the SIMARS but have almost filled up my covered space and value my marriage!

Wish I could be with you, but Swindon from Norfolk at 40mph 95 decibels in the Commer is a step too far!
Hope you all have good weather and a great time, looking forward to seeing photos (and possibly videos?)

Nice one Charlie!
And there are lots of benefits:-
1. You immediately regain the garage.
2. Its big enough for a small but reasonably stocked bar, discreetly concealed in a corner behind a curtain.
3. In the event they fly the nest one day, think how much space there is for an expanded horticultural collection.
4. And if they boomerang there’s…[Read more]

Here’s the link, she will now rev very freely and feels as if she has power to work.

I decided the timing was wrong, adjusted and now running a lot better.

Yes, I wasn’t entirely sure about the running, she was 2 and 4 stroking but then the other SIMARS in my stable do as well. It doesn’t want to rev particularly high, but I’m not sure if this is because it was never meant to being quite a bit older than my 56. And of course she hasn’t run forover 20 years, so might have a bit of clearing out etc.…[Read more]

Well, finally got round to looking at the A5, half a day cleaning and lubricating magneto, fuelled up and away she went! (small video size as rushed indoors to pinch Mrs R’s phone in case it stopped!)
Of course, after stopping it to put oil in gearbox and look at air cleaner, it now won’t go, but hopefully she’ll be reliably running in time for…[Read more]

Yes, arrived yesterday, thanks Alan, excellent read, one of the many benefits of being a member!

Hi Dave and Charlie.
Sorry Dave, I’ve not logged in for several days, I’ll try and call you this weekend.
If Peter or anyone else wants me (as long as I don’t owe them money) perhaps they could send a PM?