Aprilia Cabrio - here we go again

[Dikappa]

A bit off topic Mike, but with the vast selection of new manufactured Lambda spares available today it would be feasable....that opposed to Aprilia's, although Simon is having a good go!

[simonandjuliet]

Only had a few minutes today, so here is the trial fit of the LHS bonnet catches, operated by the chrome lever on the outside

They are not finished because they still have the washers and split pins to be fitted, plus pivots and sliders greased etc - nb one photo has the clasp open, the other closed just for comparison

As always, the S2 is slightly different - the main stronger springs have a different form at one end, the clasp pivots have split pins and the sliders have springs ....

I am looking into having the springs remade and will post details when I get quotes because I have no more spares and the lighter springs (slider return) were both broken

[simonandjuliet]

Bonnet release springs ......

Had a reasonable quote for these -

The smaller ones £20/pair (2 per car)

Both broken on my car so check if they are present/broken. They bring the handle level again and are the same for S1 & S2

Larger ones are £25/pair (4 per car)

Stronger but can stretch, used to hold the clasps in place. Definitely S1, maybe S2 but need to check when they arrive

Available before Christmas - go on treat yourself !

[simonandjuliet]

Back to radiators ..... I had a local machine shop look at the brass plate, but access was too restricted to do anything so I used a selection of your ideas above ....

There was about 0.5mm between high and low points, so I filed down the worst with a diamond chisel sharpener, then emery cloth wrapped around a flat metal block and then finally a thin skim of chemical metal , sanded

I refitted the pump with 2 thin gaskets and no "goo" et voila, no leaks after several hours .... so the rad. can be touched up and fitted

As an aside, I took the bonnet catches apart again, fettled a couple of the screws that were fouling full movement of the clasp, greased everything and fitted split pins

All working nicely 

[Mikenoangelo]

I see you have an original Black and Decker Workmate - we had one in the early 70's - it finally gave out and was scrapped last year after nearly 50 years service!

Mike

[lancialulu]

Back to radiators ..... I had a local machine shop look at the brass plate, but access was too restricted to do anything so I used a selection of your ideas above ....

There was about 0.5mm between high and low points, so I filed down the worst with a diamond chisel sharpener, then emery cloth wrapped around a flat metal block and then finally a thin skim of chemical metal , sanded

I refitted the pump with 2 thin gaskets and no "goo" et voila, no leaks after several hours .... so the rad. can be touched up and fitted

There you go - with the glow of self satisfaction of manual labour!!

[peteracs]

I see you have an original Black and Decker Workmate - we had one in the early 70's - it finally gave out and was scrapped last year after nearly 50 years service!

Mike

Mine is still going strong and used a lot. I also have a later version which is still pristine as it was bought to replace the old one......

Peter

[donw]

I managed to find an original ali one when my pressed tin one gave out I've now been using it for nearly 30 years!

[tzf60]

The various components of the bonnet catches look like they have been cleaned/blasted to the point that they look as if they are new?

[simonandjuliet]

Tim, I polish them with my roloc disks and then spray them with a light coat of acrylic lacquer to protect them - if it is high impact abrasion then I paint/2 pack them

[frankxhv773t]

I too spotted the workmate. I have found the originals with the alloy frame more sturdy than the later pressed metal ones. Where I have experienced problems is with the bolts in the  ends of the alloy frame stripping their threads. I have been successful in drilling them out, plugging them then re-tapping. They have survived several years of very heavy use.

[simonandjuliet]

As well, I received a message via personal email about the Workmate

"Were you (or others on the LMC) aware that the inventor was a Lotus chassis engineer? It was the ultimate result of sawing into an old Victorian chair whilst cutting a small piece of wood in his flat. I’ve liked mine even more ever since learning that."

They have quite a following .....

[frankxhv773t]

It was Ron Hickman who designed the chassis of the Lotus Elan among other Lotus work. It's a bit like the Owen Finlay Maclaren designing the Maclaren collapsible baby buggy when his daughter struggled to get a conventional pushchair onto an airliner. We also have him to thank for the folding camping chairs that are universally available today. Being an aircraft designer specialising in undercarriages was key to both these design classics. Sadly he isn't connected with Mclaren cars which would have been just too much of a coincidence.

[fay66]

I see you have an original Black and Decker Workmate - we had one in the early 70's - it finally gave out and was scrapped last year after nearly 50 years service!

Mike

Mines the earlier version when the whole thing was made of aluminium.
Rather than the metal pressing for the extended legs.
I even bought the extending arms so you can clamp a household door flat.
Brian
8227  

[fay66]

Does anyone else have the smaller version the 'Handy Jack? Which is a small set of steps with a handle that folds up, and a plastic lid over the vice?

Still going strong apart from the the plastic lid that broke years ago.
Brian
8227