Chris Mansfield

Not long now

Thursday 16th May 2024

Well what a whirlwind this week has been. Have had my head deep in books and the laptop studying and completing assignments for this semester of my diploma. Why does that matter you kight ask, well it means nothing has happened on the bike front for nearly 2 weeks. 

That is why in the last few posts I said the scrappy paint job on the tank would have to do. I simply have too many fingers in too many pies. Luckily today I got to put some hours into the bike as I am finished with those pesky assignments. Spent the day painting an engine cover and replacing a gasket that seemed to have perished. It perished because that engine cover for the timing chain had a crack in it. No drama before it got a coat of paint, I ground the crack and welded it back together. Then I did the before mentioned painting. After all that I found my flatest work bench and began sanding the cover smooth and flat with 1200 grit paper and then 2000 grit paper. Now it sits perfectly flat with the engine block and creates a nice seal with the gasket. Just like new.

Except the bike is not new it is 43 years old, being built in April 1981, and as such there is a myriad of additives that needed to be prescily measured and poured into the oil and the fuel. Finally a new spark plug to replace the sooty one that was causing a bit of a miss in the engine (I'd say the old carby was over fueling it for some time before I replaced it, not replacing the spark plug of course because laziness).

In other news today is the day I am medically allowed to drive again. Which means tomorrow I shall take the old pig out for a test ride for an hour tomorrow ensuring she is not going to combust, explode or fall apart on the big day. 

Anyway, if I remember to I shall do a blog post after the test tomorrow and if not you will hear from me on Sunday.

Well it's together.... now for the hard part

Saturday 11th May 2024

Well the bike is together and operational. There is a few things to button up but the finish line is near. If I had to ride it today it would be ready enough and safe enough. Everything else from now is just about perfecting it. I have the coming week off to do assignments and maybe I can spend some time finalising everything.

Anyway enjoy a photo of the current product.

I'm feeling it..

Thursday 2nd May 2024

Look I may not know how it feels to get rear ended, but after this past weeks debacle I'm getting a fair idea. Long story short after a reassessment of deadlines, I'm now behind in my assignments. Additionally the idea I had for the paint job on the tank failed.  New plan is to make do and rethink it after the ride. I have to time to go again at it.

Let's hope everything else goes well.

 

Well........

Tuesday 23rd Apr 2024

Well........ That's a fitting way to start this I think. Progress has been made, don't get me wrong, but it has been a matter of 2 steps foward 1 step back. I made a custom exhaust tip out of a Brass pipe. Polished up brilliantly but I then proceeded to put it on backwards. Anyway atleast I'll be less likely to melt my shoe. Then the tank I ordered has come in the wrong specs. No drama I'll just have to make new mounts. Additionally ,to the tank being wrong, the seat no longer fits. No matter I'll just reshape it and reapolster the leather. Then do you reckon you can find metallic Brass paint in Canberra. Nope. No matter, I'll just use the flat finish and see if I can make it pop with the clear coat.

Bloody hell I am earning my way to getting this bike ready for this ride. Better bloody look good and survive the whole day. I'm sure it will. 

I hate bikes!

Wednesday 17th Apr 2024

Right let's start good news. Everything apart from the fuel tank is back on the bike. The wiring is run nice and clean, engine in, accessories in, new chain, new brakes, wheels back on, and the bloody thing fires. We shall look over the fact I got two plugs mixed up and the bike was constantly on. All fixed.

Now that bloody fuel tank. Sourced a few replacements, all were dented or just super over priced. Some how these early 1980's Yamaha SR250's have become collectable and a fuel tank is anywhere between $600 and $1200 dollars. I bought the whole bike in 2021 for $1000. The mind boggles. 

Anyway I have sourced a tank that is not original but does look good and I should be able to make fit with minor fabrication work needed. I have also ordered materials to make a really special exhaust tip.

Keep an eye on this page. I'm hoping I can keep your more updated as d-day comes. For now enjoy the progress shot from me halfway through putting the thing back together!!

Bugger!!!

Tuesday 9th Apr 2024

The title says it all really. It's becoming apparent to me that finding a new nondamaged fuel tank for the bike is impossible. Either no one has one or its dented to hell. In other news though the bike is about 85% complete with only the fuel tank and the odd jobs left to go. Hopefully I can have it sorted by the 16th of May when I get my licence medically returned to me. That will mean I have 3 days to test ride it and make sure I all perfect for the ride. Other than that I have the outfit already sorted and I'm gaining motivation to get this done.

Making Progress

Tuesday 2nd Apr 2024

Easter was a mental time, quick 4 day trip to tassie and then home to paint the bikes frame. A couple of coats of raptor coat have come out a treat. Monday was spent putting the bike backtogether so it rolls around the shed. So what's left? I've got to put the rest of the bloody thing together and still sorce, fix and paint a new fuel tank. The 19th of may inst too far away so I better keep trucking.

 

In other news there is an article on the riotact about this year's ride, and you wouldn't have guessed it but this random rooster appears in.

 

Link https://the-riotact.com/distinguished-gentleman-brings-his-passion-to-work/734283 (https://the-riotact.com/distinguished-gentleman-brings-his-passion-to-work/734283)

 : t.

New year, bigger set backs

Monday 25th Mar 2024

Bloody hell year 3 of my time on this ride is here and it has the tightest of deadlines for me. Currently the SR 250 is in a million parts and half painted. The tank was full of over 25mm of bog, that once removed revealed a pretty sizable dint. I had a seizure back in December making me un able to drive for six months. 

What's this all mean then? Well it means I've got to finish painting the frame and put it all back together. I need to source a new tank as the other one is so badly damaged it weeps fuel from the weld repairs. And I need to get medically cleared to ride on the 15th of May. Giving me 4 days grace from the ride. Will I get it all done? Who knows. I can guarantee that I'm going to give it all my best shot. And document along the way here and on Instagram. 

Well shit, time to stop typing and time to start getting it all done.

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Monday 25th Mar 2024 On Sunday the 19th of May 2024, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.