A lucky 13th Vega

Apologies for the skewif photo but I just wanted to show that the project has largely been pulled down from the loft.

In the last month, I have had another bit of welding done to the casing to repair an old weld that wasn’t gas right, I have fitted rivnuts to replace the self tapping rear mudguard attachment and I am on the verge of getting an engine stand made.

Good to see some progress. Replacing the self tapers is definitely worth while.

Snails wrote:Good to see some progress. Replacing the self tapers is definitely worth while.

Yes, when I did an attempt at a basic dry build, I could see that the self tappers was a bad idea, doubtless driven by cost cutting at the time.

Trying to get on a bit of a roll with this, finally. Sadly, it was another false start today as, when just about to set off to get a Casa conrod pressed in to my crank, I thought I’d just check it was okay. It wasn’t. Despite what it says on the packaging, the crankpin is the shorter Lui one

Annoying isn't it. Especially when you cant remember things because it's been so long between purchase and use. Hopefully something else you can do whilst wait for replacement

Well, I was given Vittorio Tessera’s email address. He responded this morning and is popping the correct crankpin in the post to me. Can’t argue with that for customer service

Nope you can't. If only it was always so easy

Engine was completed a month or two back. Bodywork is with the painter so, maybe just maybe, this will see the road by the end of the year.

Looks nice. Get the frame back and you're coming round the corner into the home straight

Snails wrote:Looks nice. Get the frame back and you're coming round the corner into the home straight

I am still missing a few bits and bobs but, I think, they are all available from Rimini.

Getting there.

Looks good, I’m just about to embark on a project and suspect a similar time frame. Can I ask who did the welding on your engine please? I’d prefer to use someone who knows what they are doing.

That is looking good, keep on it your closer to the end

mickey c wrote:Looks good, I’m just about to embark on a project and suspect a similar time frame. Can I ask who did the welding on your engine please? I’d prefer to use someone who knows what they are doing.

I took it to a fabricator local to me in Wallasey, Wirral. I knew he was a more than competent welder, in particular, in aluminium as he had welded casings up for me in the past. I am more than happy to pass his details on but I know he is ridiculously busy at the moment.

The previous welding had, to my untrained eye, been pretty well done. It was just that when I got it dye penetrant tested, it showed it was slightly porous in one part. My welder dug a trench in the old welding and welded that up. Of course, I haven’t yet run it with oil.

I managed to get it all wired up today, only to find that I had the loom routed incorrectly and in a manner which would cause me issues when I come to fit the tunnel.

After that I need to get the clutch and gear cables attached so I can move it into neutral. For some reason I built it in second gear which is getting a pain moving it around

You should be able to rock it into neutral without any cables attached by pushing the swivel at the same time. The clutch is only needed when it's running.

I have tried that, Dave. It didn’t want to budge. I should have the trunnions in the post tomorrow.

I am now awaiting a first registration number (it transpired that the plate that came with the parts I originally bought was for 1969 whereas the frame is 1971 ) to set it up properly on the road.

Looks great. Good to see it nearly ready for the road!

Thanks, Ed. Whilst I did a dry build following the welding of the struts, in hindsight, I should have put the tunnel on at that point and it would have shown that one or two gaps are out.

It fits a lot better than mine!

I need to get the struts redone but can't be bothered at mo!

that does look good, well played sir!
the DVLA issued me with a reg on a barn find / import recently, it came through much quicker than I was expecting but I guess things will slow down over Christmas.

It's looking very good and is testament to all the work you've put in. On the subject of registrations - don't forget that I do these and can answer queries if you need help

Admin wrote:It's looking very good and is testament to all the work you've put in. On the subject of registrations - don't forget that I do these and can answer queries if you need help

Cheers. I never thought to look on your BLA website re the chassis number although I did get the archive record for the plate which was issued to a Vega in Feb’69. I just assumed that the plate was linked to this Vega. I even sent the paperwork through to the DVLA to re validate it. It was when the DVLA said no that I checked the BLA website and then had to apologise to the DVLA for wasting their time.

My one concern now that I have sent a first registration application through is that they have a previous record for the frame number. I hope not.

I now have the first registration plate and actually have the Vega on the road

I am now going through the snag list - broken Speedo cable, water ingress into headset blowing the headlight, opening the airbox and jetting the carb and trying to smooth the gear change which is very clunky at the moment.

Wish me luck