Greetings to all

[pj1958]

My name is Peter and I live in Adelaide (capital of South Australia in case a non Ossie is reading this)
I have been reading these forums for quite a while as part of my preliminary investigation towards one of the projects that I have been promising to get around to.
Many years ago I purchased an RL250 that was about 6 months old and started competing in observed trials. I joined the AJS club (I wonder if they still exist?) and had a wonderful time learning to ride really slowly. Someone once said to me “the slower you go – the harder it gets” and they were not joking! Valuable lessons in clutch control and balance were learnt along with the locating of an unmanned bike which had a mind of its own and often went in a different direction to me midway through a section. These lessons have served me well through my life and I believe that I am a better rider today because of them.
But I digress. I still own that same bike (After all it was my first and who amongst us can ever forget our first without fond memories. BIKE – get back on topic people) and I am now looking at restoring it to the condition it was in when we first met. Our lives together has been rather one sided. Historically I treated the ol’ Suzie with scant respect but she never failed to start and regardless of the terrain that I steered her into she served me well so I will now lavish onto her the care and attention that maybe I should have 30 odd years ago.
So for the past couple of years I have been plotting a course of restoration for her and am now about to start the strip down process. And this, good people, is perhaps the underlying reason for my registration on this forum. I will need help and guidance from those who have been there before me.
Following is a current photo of her and as you can see she has had a rough life but she is complete and almost all original. The astute viewer of the image will note the custom made front sprocket cover and lack of chain and you may even notice the head and tail light. Yes she was registered. Not an easy feat since the ’74 did not have a compliance plate.
My first task is to have the aluminum tank fixed. And this is where I will be calling upon all who can advise on a suitable place to start making inquiries about dent removal and polishing of aluminum.
Cheers for now
Peter

[mike-b]

Hi Peter

Yes AJS still exist and i have just loaded the bikes ready for a early start tomorrow to a trial up in the Clare valley and this year they have started a twin-shock/classic class so get your bike sorted and come and join us and have some fun

[David Lahey]

for tank repairs
http://www.geoffmorrisconcepts.com/

[pj1958]

To mike-b
It's good to her that the AJS club is still going. There is always the small chance of me getting back into the saddle but not for a while yet. Both the bike and the owner need some work. (there needs to be more of the bike and less of the rider) A twin shock/classic category - does that mean twin shock bike and classic aged rider?

To David
Thanks for the link - his website is entertaining to read. I am hoping that someone will know someone in Adelaide that does alloy tanks but, hey, Victoria is not far away - after all we are only an outer suburb of Melbourne

cheers all
Peter

[tat ty]

Peter

Ariel Owners Club recommends an Adelaide based Co called Vintage Tin Australia.

Google vintagetin.com.au.

They seem to do guards, fuel tanks and the like.

Let us all know how things pan out.

Alastair

[pj1958]

Hi Alistair

Thanks for the link. I have sent an email and am now waiting patiently (it's only been 5 minutes so far but I will wait)

Regards
Peter