Andrew Smith

Steve w's posts above inspired me to find a good XL250, and now I've gone an added to the motorbike collection and bought a 1973 unrestored UK model Honda XL250 K0 Motosport with 10,280 miles from new and a great original number plate (UKX 73L), it comes complete with a set of NOS boxed mudguards and tank (fitted for the photos) - UK models are very rare as Honda only imported about 200 into the UK between 1972 - 73 and not many survive. It's due to be delivered in a few weeks. Having now been medically retired from the Army, my plan moving forward since Bev sadly passed away on 30th Dece

Glad you got the problem sorted Colin - would that be Martin of 'Martin's Fuel Injection'? If I remember correctly he worked out of his home garage in Essex in the 80's and really knew his stuff on Bosch and Lucas systems. I thought Martin had retired many years ago - it would be good to know if he's back on business and how to contact him. Cheers, Andrew

Whether kept in a garage or not, get the maximum CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) for your money as CCA capacity is often overlooked or not even considered. Cheers, Andrew

+1 for Peter Burgess, he gas-flowed VUX's head and fitted hardened valve seat inserts, stainless steel valves and bronze valve guides for the PO back in 2003. Cheers, Andrew

Denis, This photos (by Derek Graham) is an original water pump for an early TR6 (part No 201316) and maybe (likely) the same as fitted to the TR5, in any event if yours in an original it will have the part number stamped into it and a grease nipple as you mentioned. Regards, Andrew Edit: PS: +1 for EP Services, they've done lots of stuff for me over the years, always do a great job and with a lifetime guarantee.

Ordered a 4.6m length as recommended by Stuart above and have just spoken to THINK Automotive https://www.thinkauto.com/acatalog/Hoses--Pipes---Fittings.html who have BSP fittings in stock but happy to crimp those I supply when they eventually reopen post mid-April. Cheers, Andrew

Waldi, Its a Bosch (when Bosch was still Bosch and not a 'Bosch type' as now sold) and was fitted in April 2004 by the PO and was on VUX when I bought the old girl back in 2010, the pump hasn't caused any problems since - but the braided hoses have.... Regards, Andrew

Thanks Pete - just down the road from Moss. Cheers, Andrew

Thanks Stuart and everyone, lot's of useful tips, advice and links - I did use the search facility but only for 'resonance' so the thread about fuel smell didn't some up. That's said, if I had been a more frequent visitor (as I used to be) I would have not missed that one. Will have to address that. Yes Steve, I'll drop you a PM. Cheers, Andrew

The dreaded ‘VuVuZela’ resonance sound has returned in VUX's s/s braided fuel line. Since 2010 and I’ve gone through two of the Prestige s/s 40” PTFE braided pipes, I've tried removing and refitting and gently 'tapping' the PRV but no joy, so time for a change me thinks! Set up as below. I thought I had located a number of local suppliers of Gates Barricade fuel hose https://www.gates.com/gb/en/fluid-power/engine-hose/fuel-line-hose.p.4219-000000-000000.v.4219-5653.html but several telephone calls later, despite being listed on the Gates’ website, they couldn’t supply it or find even it

As you say Bruce, this problem has existed for over 10 years and most owners find their own solution. I trust the 'bemoan' comment was a generalisation? Cheers, Andrew

Same old problem Waldi, the majority of suppliers manufacture to a price the market will bear and not to a high quality which would be far more expensive - it's not a just Moss problem, but pretty widespread and has been for years that's why I always look for NOS or good used original parts when available. As for the PQI scheme, what significant successes have there been in recent times? Cheers, Andrew

The OEM green throttle cable is a rare thing as is a period replacement, but they do crop up on eBay from time-to-time. I bought a few of these a few years ago from Fitchett's which have proper brass ferrules and have had one fitted for about 5,000 miles without any issues; it replaced a useless repro on from Moss which pulled straight through the bulkhead within minutes on the outside lane of the M3 at Sunbury - that shows how far I got from Moss....... Cheers, Andrew

Enjoy your trip folks whenever it happens, hopefully sooner rather than later as Northern Spain offers some fantastic roads and the scenery in the Picos is absolutely breathtaking - we drove from Northern Spain down to the coast in June 2019 on our 3-week/3.000 mile Euro tour. These photos were taken on the N621 driving to Potes, Cantabria via San Glorio Mountain Pass. Cheers, Andrew

RIP Capt Sir Tom