Garage Gymnastics – Scottish Edition
| LEFT Garage Bay! | RIGHT Garage Bay! |
Not technically progress on the BSA, mind you — but certainly progress toward the work that’ll eventually be done on the BSA. Aye, it’s a process… like a good whisky, or government paperwork.
This past month I decided to engage in some high-altitude engineering and mounted two 4′ x 8′ ceiling racks in the garage. Borrowed a mate’s 8-foot step ladder for the job — less chance of death than using my 6-footer, and I quite like living, at least until the bike’s finished. I’m now officially in the market for an 8-foot ladder of my own, ideally one that’s only slightly cheaper than a small motorcycle. I’m stalking Facebook Marketplace like a cat on a mouse — or more accurately, a Scot on a “free to good home” post.
The left bay of the garage is now my official repair shop — though “shop” might be generous for what’s currently a pile of BSA bits stacked neatly by module. It’s not heated (yet), so the plan is to sneak bits into the basement for “focused work,” also known as making a mess somewhere warmer while pretending I’m being productive. Still waiting on a few engine parts, and if I’m lucky, I’ll get to Mario’s before the frost arrives and the engine rebuild becomes a spring project… again.
On the right side sits the modern fleet: one Kawasaki 800, two Kawasaki 900s (Custom and Classic), all tucked in tighter than a Scotsman’s wallet in tourist season. There’s even a bit of room left for the snowblower and a path to visit — because nothing says “motorcycle season is over” quite like prepping the machine that reminds you winter’s a thing.
(1) Kawasaki 800, (2) Kawasaki 900 Custom, (3) Kawasaki 900 Classic
I brought my A10 motor in the basement and rebuilt it over the winter , definitely a lot more pleasant then working in a freezing garage my only concern was can I lift it and carry it back up the stairs and put it back in the bike at 75 but turned out to not be a problem with the barrels off .
That’s an encouraging story and Mario said the same. He’s helping me put the top end back together, so hoping to get that done before it’s too cold in his workshop as well. Have some big pieces I need to source through the winter anyway.
Just because you get encouragement from Mario and Sean it doesn’t mean you get permission from your wife that is currently doing ‘real’ work in the basement.
I thought I saw a picture of a fairing on that bike at one point …the fairing is called a dolphin fairing they were quite popular in England when I lived there in the 60s but rare on this side of the pond .
you can buy Lexan [ windshield material ] clear or tinted on line or some plastic dealers will laser cut to your pattern but more $ .
I have the fairing and it was just the first thing I removed and put away.. will need to post a photo. My understanding is that it’s an AVON model and maybe the “dolphin” is just a description name. I’ve certainly heard they are rare.
You say to buy a new Lexan and bend it to fit… at some point I’m pretty sure I’ll need to consider how to replace. First will be to paint it once I get rolling on the re-assembly.
You can go through the links and here is one of the first photos of my Father-In-Law on the bike.. the earliest without and then later with the fairing.
https://blog.brainwalkers.ca/index.php/2025/04/01/the-beginnings/