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I'll probably have my '72 Triumph T150V at it this time.

Enfield made a few diesels back in the early '70s.

Wanted to alert those interested that my friend Patrick Deason is putting on his third Possum Gathering vintage motorcycle show at the Sevierville, TN fairgrounds May 12 & 13. Many, many vintage bikes (and vintage bikers), swap meet areas, and stationary engine show. If you might be interested in showing your bike, I may be a judge, and I do consider bribes.

I'm a 70 year-old weakling, and never considered the RD400c very heavy. Having it in-frame might help torquing a few bolts, but I rebuilt mine on the bench and stored it in a plastic storage bin until the frame was ready. Maybe all the GL1000s I've wrestled changed my perspective.

A common compression test mistake is not holding the throttle wide open.

Note that the Possum Gathering Vintage Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet is May 12 & 13 at the Sevier County Fairgrounds. Email Pat Deason if interested in renting a swap or camping space pdeason@outlook.com

I paid $1500 for a lot less. May not look perfect, but if it was close and I was still in the market, I'd be all over it. A flipper will pick it up, invest ~$1k, and sell for good money.

Doubt their software can read a shaky hand-written note. And scanning in-person is rare.

If you should consider Harbor Freight LED lights, they are pretty good, but DON'T USE THEIR WIRE!  It will rot out in a year.

I've used ultrasonics for most of my professional life. There are safety precautions that we learned and never violated due to strict oversight. However, many involved good safety theory. ALWAYS use only water directly in the tank (surfactants can be added, but don't leave the in it). If other solvents are needed, put them in a separate container immersed in the bath. If using any hazardous solvents, the cleaner should be operated in a properly vented fume hood. Be aware of the capabilities, hazards, and limits of your solvents. For instance, methanol is very good at removing water, but absorbs water from the atmosphere if left open, is flammable, and can be absorbed through the skin poisoning you. Happily, most rubber, vinyl, and nitrile gloves are good barriers. But I have never found it to be a good cleaning agent. High-purity (>90%) isopropyl alcohol is an excellent solvent, is much less hydroscopic, but is of course very flammable. It will dry out the skin and should be used in well-ventilated areas. There are a few contaminants that I use acetone for, but primarily in a closed container for soaking. Most carb cleaning can be done with hot water and mild surfactant (detergent) in the cleaner Just don't leave aluminum/cast etc. parts in it overnight.

I did clear (because it was waterborne color paint) under AND over the decals. Looks great.

Remember the law of "stuff" - stuff multiplies to occupy all space allotted. Then continues multiplying.

F@#$%, my kids are gonna be rich when I pass.

You'd best make sure they want them, know their value, and what to do with them. I've seen too many collectors pass on and their collections not disposed of wisely by children that didn't know or care. One friend was selling his 13 bikes off because his son said the bikes would go to a scrap metal recycler.

We discussed this at our weekly Time Warp Vintage Motorcycle Club gathering last night. Might be a good destination for a club long-distance (one-way 100 miles is a long distance for some of the bikes and riders) ride in early Spring.

My first bike was a '69 Triumph with hardtail and 12" over springer front end. A great looking bike and ran pretty good (for a Triumph). But I learned early that riding it on a wet road pumped water under the faceshield up my nose!