Confirmation that the decompressor on my Victa Lawnmower had failed and this was the reason that It wouldn't start. Comparison with a good valve from a 2nd hand lawnmower confirms the correct operation of these valves, which are operated by the inlet manifold vacuum. My solution to the problem was to simply dispense with the valve completely and replace it with an old spark plug - just as a convenient way of blocking up the decompressor hole. The engine operates fine without the valve. Maybe the starting torque is slightly higher on the pull-cord but this is hardly noticeable.
Remember that you'll need to seal up the vacuum take-off that is normally connected to the decompressor valve diaphragm via the plastic tube. I put a blob of silicone sealant on mine and let it set overnight . Simple, effective and easy to remove later if necessary. [L] ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tjX07G_MZg
May not have been entirely sober(?) Stabbed the brakes, so probably realised the error . . .but went for it anyway.
Be careful out there; especially late evenings.
[L]
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwl_6k3ITmw
Two pulls to draw the petroil mix into the cylinder / crank case and starts on the third pull. About normal from cold, provided the fuel is reasonably fresh (not left over the winter), the plug and electrics are in good condition and set up correctly. There's really not much else that can be wrong. May have started on 2nd pull if I hadn't had the throttle open too wide.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmbuPLORkwo
I was surprised when my local BMW francise announced that they were going to change the cardan shaft on my BMW R1200GS while the bike was in for a routine service. I turns out that there's a general instruction to BMW dealers to consider doing this on bikes that meet particular criteria. The swap was performed free of charge, though is not a 'recall', in the legal sense.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mALqRfNpm0M
OpenSCAD model of UK 13A surface mount box face plate. Available on Thingyverse, here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5774900
Easy to add holes and other features specific to a particular project, e.g. a temperature display, control buttons, switches, or similar.
NOTE: for use with low voltage electric projects only - not mains voltages
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbVAiODsPJE
A look at what's inside a cheap Chinese flow switch.
The main electronic component is a TRIAC (not a "transistor", as I incorrectly say in the video). The magnetic reed switch puts a low voltage, low current signal on the TRIACs gate, via the resistor. This voltage switches the TRIAC on.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4X8sp7i8qw
I decided to design & 3D print a simple tool for safely handling the 12 pointed nuts on the old Daimler V8 engines. Mine is printed in PLA and with a 100% infill the tool works well.
The CAD design and 3D STL file are freely available on ThingyVerse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6016086/files
LINKS:-
01:00 Repair of acrylic spanner https://youtu.be/AJASoJJJIHM
01:42 2 Stroke Stuffing https://youtu.be/Q7EaQVzPOUQ
02:00 PLA Air Filter Adaptors https://youtu.be/LTbFz-QMjYo
03:53 Free Download of OpenSCAD https://openscad.org/downloads.html
04:45 Link to design files https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6016086
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNkDUAfArjI
I recklessly bought this BSA from a dealer importer. Looks like it's spent most of its life in Colorado, USA and has gone through a few changes over the years. I'm looking forward to getting it going again, UK registered and back on the road.
[L]
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqbPTx_B37I
Idylic seaside villages just a ferry ride from Plymouth. Lots of facinating millitary remains on the hill above dating from 1779 to 1945 (incl. largely intact heavy anti-aircraft battery)
Cawsand and Kingsand are twin villages in southeast Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village is situated on the Rame Peninsula and is in the parish of Maker-with-Rame. Cawsand overlooks Plymouth Sound and adjoins Kingsand, formerly on the border of Devon and Cornwall. (WIkipedia)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjCVdKOy-7w