Hamm 2016 dates? = 9-11 Sept

[Tetronator]

I see Sluggy now has pneumatic suspension.

[Diesel Dave]

Know I know old Sluggy can pull - I've towed a Harley with a broken Punsun engine for miles back in 2008.

However - stopping this lot may require some lead time....

[Tetronator]

I can't help myself...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd5ZLJWQmss

See you tomorrow Dave.

[Diesel Dave]

Remember the boat gets in at 8am not 6:30 as the website suggests.

Have you heard from Touchwoodsden?

[Tetronator]

So, you'll be 1:30 hours late? Sure about that?

I've got his phone number, haven't heard anything else.

[touchwoodsden]

Here is the reason that last night I was not on the ferry to Rotterdam.
Here is the reason I will not be smelling diesel fumes in the morning in Hamm.
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DSC05022
The head gasket has gone. Actually, actually, it hasn’t gone, it’s still there, it’s just leaking!
I’ve tried everything I can to stop it overheating including the quick fix pour in solution (last-ditch attempt) and came to the conclusion that head gasket has gone.
Just blowing water out after about 10 miles. I fitted an expansion bottle but that wasn’t working either.
13:00 hours yesterday, I resigned myself to not going.
I wanted to cry.
I could have topped the water up every 25 miles, but that would be stupid.
So, the engine is out and in the boot of the car and off to a friend of mine this morning who does nothing other than rebuild engines. It will just cost me the gaskets which are probably an arm and a leg and a kidney on their own!
I think this is my fault.
I will explain.
I filled it up with water and what I didn’t know is that there is a bleed on the cylinder head. It’s actually the engine coolant temperature sensor (which goes to the ECU) which you pull out and then pop back in again after bleeding. I didn’t bleed it so I imagine there was a big air bubble when I went for my 1st 50 mile run and hence the leak now.
It is also necessary to lean the engine over at 45 degrees to the right when bleeding as that is the angle it is in the car. Heavy bike so it’s a 2 man job or do it using an engine crane.
I don’t know if it’s possible to drill a bleed screw hole somewhere in the head casting to bleed the engine upright.
Bert, how do you bleed the cylinder head on the Eva Track? Through temperature sensor hole with bike leaning over?
What I will do however while the engine and gearbox are out and before I put all the ancillaries back on the engine, is 2 pack paint the whole assembly silver because the finish was letting the whole thing down.
If it wasn’t for the powder coating being 6 weeks late and all the problems with the electronics, (which turned out to be just a faulty dongle in the end) I could have had the problem, engine out, engine fixed, engine back in again, and been easily on my way. Time just conspired against me. There is always next year.

All dressed up and no go 

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[Stuart]

A few shots from Hamm.

[Dan J]

Here is the reason I will not be smelling diesel fumes in the morning in Hamm...Time just conspired against me...There is always next year.

Hang in there mate. Whilst it'll come as no comfort right now the same has unfortunately happened to many here at the last minute - read Ian's tale of woe unfolding from 2010... https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... f=4&t=1267 - he only just made it back the following year too but got to Hamm (and just about back) in the end

I promise when you make it next year it'll be worth every second of the bad times this time round and hopefully the bike will be completely sorted by then. You'll have the 2017 Big Knock to try it out at in advance too

Stuart... What is the BMW? My eyes are saying someone has actually converted the original BM petrol engine but my head says surely not. What is it? I don't recall having seen it before.

Hope everyone who was on their way has made it safe and sound - weather looks great!

[Stuart]

Dan, it's BMW barrels, Hatz heads & German pump. It runs! I love the Frence chopper though

[Stuart]

[Dan J]

Dan, it's BMW barrels, Hatz heads & German pump. It runs! I love the Frence chopper though

Thanks Stuart! That is amazing with the BMW - a real petrol to diesel conversion. Keep the photos coming and hope you guys are having a great time there - do say hello to everyone from me.

[Stuart]

Will do Dan

[Stuart]

It needs no introduction

[Stuart]

[Stuart]

Some guys narrowly missed being hit when a tree came down at a rideout destination today. No injuries. Another's petrol bike trashed though.

[cheesy]

I'm enjoying the pics. Good to see what others have accomplished. Shame about the bike under the tree, was it windy or just fall over?

[Tetronator]

Here is the reason that last night I was not on the ferry to Rotterdam.
Here is the reason I will not be smelling diesel fumes in the morning in Hamm.

Such a shame, I was even waiting for you at the parking lot. But I'll see you at next year's BK.

[Diesel Dave]

Ahh all home safe and sound.

My thanks to the mad Dutchman for leading the way outbound.



Despite a massively overloaded bike and trailer and a rather tall first gear old sludgy chugged his way faithfully and without complaint:



Even saw the odd bit of a Merlin engine that had been left behind on some Canadians a while back:



Had lunch underneath a windmill (more accurately wind pump I suppose)





Lots of stops en-route.





Even went over a bridge too far....





Larked around a bit





Fed the piggies



Met lots of old friends too



And then came home

The end.

[Stuart]

I'm still over here, tonight in Vianden, Luxembourg. Negotiating traffic that expects us to go faster & getting eaten by those mozzi's :-/ lol

[Tetronator]

My thanks to the mad Dutchman for leading the way outbound.

No thanks required, I'll happily repeat it again next year.

[Stuart]

Report here: http://www.dieselbike.net/Hamm16/Hamm16.htm

[pietenpol2002]

Great read Stuart! And from stateside, we can only respond with envy.

[cheesy]

What Ron said. Enjoyed it.

[Stuart]

Cheers Ron, Cheesy