Project Money Pit !

[Stirlingmoz]

I sort of know Steve having met him a few times, but to say we are friends would be a stretch.

Last time we met he was developing innovative ignition systems for automotive use. He had to be discrete as he was working with some well known manufacturers but it was to do with burn efficiency including with alternative fuels.

He did have a racing Guzzi engine on the bench though. Think that was about 2 years ago.

 

[shedman]

I have had a couple of sets of boxer cylinder heads worked on by Les Patterson of the Cylinder Head Shop, 07810 273600. One set with unleaded seats, new valves and the guides lined, super work. Perhaps email a couple of pics of your heads for a comment/quotation - [email protected]
Not related in any way, just happy with work done.
Steve

 

[Homer]

Any recommendations for valve seat replacement ?

No amount of lapping could get the inlet valve to seal on this seat.

View attachment 462822

The exhaust valve doesn’t leak but looks scabby.

Needs an exhaust valve guide and the rocker cover stud replacing too.

I have a twin plugged Head reconditioned by Steve Scrimmanger but never been refitted .Came with assorted parts in one of his tidy outs. P.M me if any use.

 

[Homer]

I have a twin plugged Head reconditioned by Steve Scrimmanger but never been refitted .Came with assorted parts in one of his tidy outs. P.M me if any use.

Found a photo

 

[Stirlingmoz]

That is very kind - thank you

 

[Bubb]

Still got the r80 barrels n pistons…. And rocker covers waiting for you mate……

 

[Stirlingmoz]

I dug the right hand cylinder head out of the box all the engine parts came in to see what we have to work with..





I began stripping it to see what it’s like.

I couldn’t remove the centre rocker cover stud by double nutting so resorted to welding a big old nut on there..



A bit of heat from welding and a 17mm spanner got it moving.

I cleaned up the exhaust thread next. This was contaminated with a white powdery residue. Fortunately it came off pretty easy with a wire brush and the big star nut now spins on and off nicely.

Valves out next, but didn’t have time for that today.

 

[Paradiso]

I had 2 exhaust valve guides and an exhaust thread done fairly recently by Roger Bennet.

Roger Bennett engineering
8 Bradley Mills Rd,
Bradley Mills,
Huddersfield
HD1 6PQ
01484 536126

 

[Stirlingmoz]

The saga of the left cylinder head..

I have found people who can replace the valve seats but it’s quite an expensive job and I’ll still have a pock marked combustion chamber.

I have since tracked down another cylinder head..





Spent some time this morning, stripping, cleaning and fully expecting to have to do the exhaust valve guide.

Fortunately I have been lucky this time.

The head cleaned up nicely and didn’t need a new guide..



A shot comparing the 2 heads

 

[Stirlingmoz]

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything about Money Pit.

My son moved out just before Christmas and I’ve spent a lot of spare time helping renovate his flat, which has slowed progress considerably.

With a bit of time on my hands today, I got the bike back into one coherent piece.

Still a few jobs to complete but we’re getting close now.



He likes the silver wheels but I still think they would look better in white

 

[Mad Hatter]

I like the wheels too, they really suit the bike. They'll look mint powder coated white

 

[Stirlingmoz]

Still pushing forward with this.

Today I changed the last of the older variant of valve rocker to the monolever type.

This will result in this engine now being full monolever spec.

This the left inlet rocker removed and one button (rocker seat) removed



This a comparison of rocker types.

The newer (replacement) monolever version on the left.



I’ve got a few spare shims so can hopefully get it within spec.

I have now finished up the wiring and topped off all the fluids.

Need to source some cable ties - I have managed to run out to secure the wiring in a couple of places.

Not going to try and start it until the weekend as my sons wants to be here.

 

[Stirlingmoz]

On page 11 (April 2025) I noticed a faint glow from the charge warning light.

I kinda forgot to do anything about that.

While checking the bike over this afternoon and having the front engine cover off I noticed an important wire was missing.

On the right side of this photo, there is no wire from the diode board back to the starter motor - and in turn back to the battery.



Quick check of my spares stash and I had this..



Makes me think I ordered it, and forgot to fit it.

Should look like this..



Hopefully that’s another problem sorted.

Will put the battery on charge Friday in anticipation of a fire up over the weekend.

 

[Stirlingmoz]

And finally today, what to do with this ?

 

[GTMorgan]

Reminds me of this picture I saved years ago, always wanted to recreate something similar but, as with many things, never got around to it.

 

[Bubb]

Frame…… stick it on eBay.. must be worth something to someone ( especially if it’s got a logbook)
Or weigh it on for scrap!
Or donate it to mikeyboy to create a special of some sort.
….i take it you meant the frame, and not the cat!

Good to see moneypenny ( thought that a better name than moneypit) is nearly finished and on the road…..
Looks good, and I’m sure your lad will be happy with her.

 

[Stirlingmoz]

Frame…… stick it on eBay.. must be worth something to someone ( especially if it’s got a logbook)
Or weigh it on for scrap!
Or donate it to mikeyboy to create a special of some sort.
….i take it you meant the frame, and not the cat!

Good to see moneypenny ( thought that a better name than moneypit) is nearly finished and on the road…..
Looks good, and I’m sure your lad will be happy with her.

Thanks Dave. I couldn’t part with the cat - she thinks she’s a dog and follows me everywhere. When I’m at home, it doesn’t matter where I’m working, she’s only ever a few feet away.

I do think we’re down to cosmetics now. Fingers crossed, it’s mechanically finished.

 

[Stirlingmoz]

Reminds me of this picture I saved years ago, always wanted to recreate something similar but, as with many things, never got around to it.

View attachment 482825

Unlike a lot of cafe racer conversions, I quite like the look of that but those handlebars would cripple me.

 

[Littledumptruck]

So you’ve a spare frame and engine? Surely the start of moneypit2. A nice bobber maybe…..

 

[Stirlingmoz]

Happy to report that Money Pit was treated to 5 litres of BP’s finest 98 Ron this sunny Saturday morning and rewarded us by firing up on the 2nd press of the start button.

Very happy son..



The charge warning light fully extinguishes now so that is a problem solved.

The bike soon settled into a nice even burbly idle at 1100 rpm.

It needs a couple of tyres as the ones on it are ancient and just fitted so we could move it around and I realised we don’t have a number plate for it .

I sense we are close to concluding this thread and the final shot of the bike disappearing up the road to its new home, will be on here soon.