Practical Sportsbikes

I stumbled across this magazine today when I popped into my local town. My brother had mentioned about the magazine previously but I didn't realise the magazine only caters for 70s, 80s and 90s bikes.

As it's only really these three decades of bikes that I am interested in I have now found my bike magazine fix. Here are a few photos of the magazine,

Whilst I was in town I bought a few tools for the garage too as they were cheap,

Project Garage: The Middle and Nearing the End

Thanks to the lack of internet this project has sort of been and gone without many updates. The garage is now complete so this is a huge post showing everything that has been done since I last reported on this some time ago. Here it goes,

I spent quite some time re pointing the brick work in the garage. The garage had been quite badly neglected so whilst I was in the process of cementing the garage floor the brickwork had some attention too.

The shelving was change for lighter wood.

Part of the garage floor that I had to cement. I didn't care that the finish wasn't totally flat, I just wanted a steady surface that I could put weight on.

I made slight ramp into the garage too because I wanted to neaten up the appearance.

Work bench worktop,

I bought some concrete sealer and spent an evening breathing in the lovely fumes,

Once the sealer had dried I bought some garage floor paint and set to painting.

Once the floor was dry I could store the car and bikes in the garage. I then began to mark out how much room I'd have for a work shop area,

Esso sign being put to use that I bought from the Silverstone Classic,

Home made padding so I don't bash the door of the car,

Cabinets in place and my old posters being put to use,

Garage door with similar treatment,

The workshop area. My grandad has his tools set out exactly like this with peg board and clips. I was given some tools to help me start out. I'm sure this collection will grow over time.

Lastly, a touch of my childhood. I went back to my parents house to pick up some bits and pieces and my mum had put these to one side. I wasn't that fussed about them but it was suggested that I kept them. For now they are on display...until I need that room for things.

I still have some posters that need framing and putting up so I still have little jobs to do here and there. On the whole the garage is nearly finished though.                                                                                                            

Project Garage: Cleaning Up and Making a Mess

Last weekend I gave the garage a bit of a sweep so I could tidy it up a bit as it hadn't been touched in a long time. Once I had cleaned it I could begin to think where I was going to start.

Earlier this week I went to Focus DIY and bought a huge tub of garden fence wood stain. I've been spending a lot of my time painting the wooden beams and planks on the roof to help protect them but also give a nicer look. I've nearly finished the roof now so next will be the walls, then cement work on the floor as well as floor paint.

My dad fixed up the side door too as well as painting it with under coat and then a white top coat. Thanks to it being April a lot of bugs decided to fly into it so I now have the job of removing all the lady birds and flies.

We cleared the bushes at the back of the garage too.

Project Garage: It Begins

I've been quiet in recent months on the car front due to one major factor, I have just bought a house. The main attraction for me was the 21ft X 11ft garage. It is easily big enough for the Roadster, a couple of bikes, my car parts and a good work bench. I went down to the house today with a mate of mine and we made a start. It needs some cement, paint, wood stain, and other bits and pieces. Stay tuned for more progress. I thought it would be years until I had my own garage!

The back of the garage was covered in Ivy that was killing the bricks and mortar. We set too and removed it.

The roof and side of the garage was also covered in Ivy. A good three hours was spent removing it all and clearing down the side of the garage. The photos below show how the Ivy had spread into the garage. After a bit of patience it was coming off.

I'll be spending most of my spare time down there so the car front will be quiet for a while. Still, it's for a good cause.