So ! While Belgium enjoys the never ending bar of beer pumps Blighty is hard at work. Deep down in the cellars under the town hall of Picklington town restoration has continued on the Presley CB72.
Let not anyone come forward and say this bike is a fake. Ney, and trice nay for this priceless velocepede has carried 'the' rock n roller. Known to many karaoke wannabees as 'The King' ! Hu Hu ! I'm all shuck up ! Hu Hu Hu!

A breakdown on the maiden run after over 30 years hibenation is unthinkable. But - the chances of the ignition fading whilst on the upper slopes of Pen-y-ghent are a reality if restoration work is not carried out.


Last sparked - 1978 - Urgent fettling required !


Deep down in the H.T. coil workings lurks terminal corrosion....The lead was flapping....unattached.......incapable of firing high voltage pulses to ignite petrol.
Surely this is not the end of the road for our hero ? Fear not !
For Albert has a stash, a pile of what the unknowledgeable may call junk, to the enlightened it is TREASURE ! Hidden from the view of gypsies and rag and bone men that frequent this area are the very parts that will enable sparks to travel from points to plug.

A momentous occasion - For I will lift the Barbour jacket (that incidently was worn by Steve McQueen when he competed in the 1964 International 6 day Trail) and reveal to the world for one night only CB72 heaven............

Tune in tomorrow for full spares exposure !

Below - The very same McQueen Barbour suit - Now used as a tarpolin in 'The Old Sidevalve Bar'

Yesterday evening I've been mostly ........

...... drinking famous Geuze with my friends in Brussels in a bar with 47 beer taps.....and some strange 'beer nuts'

Snake Eyes French Fries ...but did you notice...

Crackleport's bike on 2:22, mine on 0:33 and the lovely orange tree ??

Snake Eyes French Fries by Jason Lee Parry and Gandja Monteiro from Jason Lee Parry on Vimeo.

Postie brings parcel

The Old Sidevalve Bar is in party atmosphere. Oh yes, for a parcel of megga excitement has just arrived. Vital parts for the Presley CB72. All the way from my chum Billy-Bob in downtown Illinois.
In fact his 'shop' (Bob-Jo Cycles) is next door to the Sycamore Speedway. Wow! How cool is that. I have the letter of authenticity for the keys.....Yep ! Genuine keys.....................complete with Billy-Bob keyring.



Now if that 'aint Rock 'n' Roll you 'aint got no mo-jo man.....Time for a celebratory flagon of falling down cider

This ain't Rock 'n' Roll

Albert here....Reporting from Blighty.
Calling all 'Oilyracers' and Jailhouse Rockerbillies...
Whats been happening this week Alb?
Well, I've done a bit of sitting on my butt. All in a good cause mind because I've been searching worldwide for parts to make the Presley CB72 roadworthy.
First job was find an ignition key. The original having been lost years ago. Bought one..........from Billy-Bob at Bob-Jo Cycles in Illinois. Just waiting for it to cross the pond at the mo'
Then got me an front engine spocket for just 8 bucks all the way from Ohio !.......

Too much sitting is bad for the figure..?!? So, as the sun was doing its best to shine I made the effort too and wheeled the aforementioned machine out of the garage for a look-see and a bit of fettling.
First bit - remove engine cover and look where the new sprocket will go. Hum....can't be fitting a new shiney bit onto a shitey bit, cleaning cloths at the ready, I'm gonna splash the paraffin -


Blighty awaits parcels from America.....

The reborn 125

Tried to get the secret 125 Balen-Beach-Bike project (AKA the mini-bobber-project) going again by trying to start its engine and see what happened....

against all odds it started pretty easy .....

I even succeeded in letting that old baby-battery doing some jive moves....Rock'n Roll on a Thursday afternoon ....

Rocking Barn Find !

Greetings ! It is 'I' Albert Crackleport. My winter hibenation is over, the shutters are up and 'The Old Sidevalve Bar' is once more open for business.
What's planned Alb ?
Crikey ! What a ridiculous question. 2012 hopefully will have the same agenda as 2011.....
Bikes will be built, beer will be brewed and drunk, buckets will be lit and poor unsuspecting onions will be peeled and pickled before being sacrificially balanced on a Jacobs with a goodly wedge of local cheese....
Life in the fast lane ! or what ?

It is also rumoured that there will be a Belgium inter-connection too. A joining of 2 of the worlds most powerful nations in a melding of Vintafaking intelligence, to further the mission to ease the suffering of the lost souls of Viragoland.
Transport will be needed.....a machine befitting the occasion. 'The Old Sidevalve Bar' houses many historic devices. After much deliberation I made my choice.
I will ride the ex Elvis Presley Honda Super Dream.

This rare piece of Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia has suffered very little over the years and should be rebuildable in time.

The chance to ride on the very pillion which a denim clad Barbara Stanwyck shared with the 'King' in the film Roustabout is still up for grabs.....I'm open to offers.....

Last on the road in the late 70's just after Elvis's death.
The little Honda's 33 year sleep is over, it's soon gonna be 'all shuck up !'




Thats all for now Oilyracers. Stay tuned for further updates. Albert over and out...

-12 °C in the shed