Grahame Aldington

Thanks Andy. Well know I was done over with the cleaning. I asked my garage if they had a ultrasonic cleaner, but they did not, but said a neighbour did. So used him. Later chatted with a mechanic from my garage and they said he was not up to much and struggled for work. But thats yesterdays news and have moved on. Have a storage facility…[Read more]

Just noticed the image of the old friction plate could not upload because the file size was too large. Have reduced it

An update about the Gem. Found a chap with an ultrasonic cleaner who runs a garage specializing in vehicle electrics. Took a two Zenith 2T4 carbs, the Walbro carb and the petrol tap to him. He said the proper cleaning fluid is expensive, so uses dishwasher tablets and guitar strings to clean the jets. Went back to collect, the items were a lot…[Read more]

Thanks Andy,

Did not know what to expect when I arrived at the hospital as had no contact with the consultant since the day of diagnosis 14 months ago. They have developed less invasive techniques, so a wire with an ultrasonic probe burnt the inside walls of the deep vein. A chemical foam was injected into the shallow vein. All went well and…[Read more]

Hi all,

Work on the Gem will be curtailed for a while. Was on an 18 month NHS waiting list for an op for a blocked vein on my leg. With 4 months to go had a call to say there was a slot available yesterday from a cancellation. Took it and am now laid up for a while. When I get active again will be flat out on my veg plot, soft fruit and…[Read more]

Dear Andy,

If the pump is causing the problem will get a new pattern diapham from China a £5.80p. Always fit a fuel filter to my working machines as a small bit of rust can come off the inside of the tank, rubber particles from pipes, even with E5 petrol and dirt from the petrol can when filling up. A local hire company always fit a fuel…[Read more]

Hi John,

The tread direction was what was on the machine when I collect it. The tyres have been fitted, but have never touched soil. They were deflated and the righthand one ‘set’ over towards the gearbox. When pumped up there was a bump on the inner wall, so it rubbed against the gearbox. It was a devil to move the machine. When I got it…[Read more]

Dear Andy,

A big thank you again for your sound advice.

Am 95% certain the rotovator was a good machine before it was put away 25+ years ago. The only nagging doubt I have is over the clutch, why is there some ‘feel’ on the handlebar lever only when both adjuster are tightened to their full extent. Do not want to spent time and money on it,…[Read more]

Many thanks Andy for replying to the post.

Will work my way through the fuel system until I find what is the matter. Got to get the petrol tap flowing freely first. Also will soak the carb in cellulose thinners, acetone or white vinegar. Think I will experiment with all three on different parts to see which one performs the best. If there are…[Read more]

Hi all,

An update on the Trusty. Struggled to get the clip off and did not want to grind it out unless absolutely necessary. So decided to firstly try to do a (agricultural) repair in-situ. The shaft was twisted, so jacked up one wheel, put another jack under a spade lug and another jack on the other wheel’s spade lug, which would turn the w…[Read more]

Dear Geoff,

Many thanks for your invaluable advice. Found that my machine did not have a screw with locking wire over the slot. But a spring clip with a pin that would locate the sprocket bush. The flat spring clip goes about two thirds around the sprocket hub. Still have a problem though because the clip appears twisted and no matter what I…[Read more]