When I picked this bike up from Cornwall last December I hadn't really given much thought to what I was letting myself in for. It immediately became apparent that the machine was in a dire state. It didn't occur to me to question what I was up to, I simply let the the sub-conscious analyser process it all and by the time we had the bike at Diplo HQ there were no questions to ask, no deliberation - we simply set about taking the thing to bits. There was no feeling of low spirits, concern over the huge hill we had to climb or the slightest glimmer of defeat.
The beauty, to me, of these mechanical challenges is that they contain all the answers for you - "what state'll the brakes be in ?" - simply take the bugger to bits and have a look. The less demanding approach is to start from scratch with a stack of replacement parts - this may not be appropriate on economic grounds, but it does mean you are dealing with no more than a complicated Airfix kit. This is all very well but requires cash, lots of parts ordering and seems a bit of a cheat. I've always had an irrational desire to fix things that don't work - I really don't like to be defeated by a motor that won't run or a door that doesn't shut properly. I had thought the wheels on the CB Special were shot and even bid on some replacements on e-bay. Tinkering in the 'shop between coats of paint, I took a wheel to one side and set about cleaning it up - 1/2 an hour later I had a pretty presentable rim and a pile of rust, the spokes received the same treatment and it transpired that only two or three were bent and a little pitted. I couldn't shift the adjusters in the rim so applied a bit of heat and left them soaking in the patent cure-all juice. A week later a bit more gas heat and some pressure from the spoke spanner and they all came free - whipped out the offending items, straightened them up, a bit of a polish and reassembled. I've repeated this exercise on the second wheel and the pair of scrap rims and spokes are now back in service. I'm particularly pleased with rim tapes I made up out of some strips of old butyl pond liner and a bit of vulcanising. The wheels don't look new but are fit for purpose, leaving me feeling quite smug and confirmed in my "fix it" approach. There's really very little that can't be fixed - the limiting factor, more often than not, being our own failure to see the problem for what it is. MORE RECYCLING !
Sunshine and signs of life in the garden at Diplo Hall mean al fresco dining. (The picture above was actually taken last July). It has to be said that it's often colder than it looks ! Top solution in these circumstances is to set fire to everything combustible and get a few glasses down you.
I have found myself deserted on more than one occasion as less hardy diners retreat indoors. The sound of laughter and music waft across from the East wing to the preferred outdoor eating place under the fruit trees. Wrapped in many layers with a fine Izmir smoke on, clutching a glass and tipping one's head back to take in the night sky is a solitary pass time. I feel very happy to be out here.
Gradually the candles dwindle, the last one expiring with a little flurry, and then darkness - as I look around the sky, the roof line of Diplo hall stands out, dark against a soft whitish glow, what's this ? - more light pollution ! Closer inspection following a lurching stroll around to the front of the house - horror, they've fixed the bloody street light again. This is getting serious. Somebody's calling this in to the local feds and we need it stopped. MORE DARKNESS !
