"ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY ......."




Where are my Decals??

 Thanks to a virtually non existent postal system that still refuses to deliver the goods in a timely
manner I have been forced to wait and wait to get the decals and logos to adorn UGLY BETTY. Over 2
weeks now to get a couple of simple envelopes from England to Colorado and not much better from
Phoenix to here! Of course I have no TRUE idea when these items were dispatched, or even if they
have been, as "trust" like so many other things in modern day life seems to be waning as the fabric
of Society slowly shreds. 




Might be in here ? 

 There can be all manner of excuses, Postal Strikes in the UK, "The Christmas Rush", "Thanksgiving
over here", and no doubt a whole bunch more that I haven't heard yet but I personally find the whole
thing totally unacceptable!!! There are DAILY flights to just about every City in the US, and yes, I'll buy
the fact that overseas mail is subject to Customs but why oh why does it take over 2 F****** weeks to
get a letter across the pond. Chay Blythe could row it over quicker!




Somewhere in the sorting office maybe ? 

 As you have probably gathered I'm not too happy with the state of affairs, however there is nothing I
can do other than politely ask when the items were sent and then be patient. Patience is unfortunately
not my strong suit, never has been, and as I get older joins the same bag as suffering fools gladly !

 Wayne Weedon sent me one of his nice Gold Number plates and I've managed to get the SWM front
brake cable retainer connected but now I'm running into a minor problem attaching same to the forks
as the cable ties don't like the single point fixing. Looks like I'll be drilling another 4 holes in the plate to
get it on to my satisfaction.



 

Wayne's Plate drilled and fitted

 So now I have Jumbo complete but its a bit like a Christmas tree without the lights and decorations.....
just doesn't look right! The plate is now on and looks good, the kickstart now misses the footrest and
all the other minor trivia items have been done. The forks are as stiff as a brick but that may be
temperature related plus the fact they haven't moved in over 3 years to my knowledge. Might have to
drain them again and try less oil until they move more freely. Crown nuts dismantled, cleaned, and
refitted, .... marginal improvement but I'm still of the opinion that  220cc per leg is a bit much. I'll try
150cc and see how that feels.


 

A "naked" Ugly Betty from her Playboy shoot

 Now December 7th and the snow has started again with the forecast of 100% snow for the next 2
days with accumulation of to 16 inches! However, the post DID get through and the two envelopes
from the UK arrived. In from the cold and feverish excitement to open the well sealed packets. The
excitement turns to shocked anger as the first contains only one sticker for the tank and the invoice
states that I ordered and paid for 2 !  Quick telephone call to Phoenix to see where the SWM badges
are as last Monday I was told they would be in the post. They were not sent until FRIDAY !!!! so I'm
guessing this Wednesday or Thursday.

 This morning the snow has turned into a blizzard and looks really nasty with a 30 mph wind blowing.
Snowfall now over 12" so their prediction of 16" could easily be correct. A lot of power surges and
dimming of lights and apart from dog walking this is a day for staying IN! Dug my way out to the
workshop and drained off some of the oil but there was still some of the previous Shadetree lubricant
in there??? Down to 150 cc a leg and at least they move freely but I'm thinking a good flushing is the
order of the day and then progressively refill up to the 220cc spec. Needless to say nothing in today's
post even from Phoenix.

 With nothing else to do time to try and affix the decals I have and hope the others come today. The
seat section area went well with the 4 put in place to stop the legs rubbing off the new paint so that
end is complete. Moving up to the tank a quick rewash to get rid of any bits of dog and cat hair which
could ruin the whole thing and begin lining things up. The JPS center piece goes on easily  and looks
good followed by the roundel over where the SWM logo will be. Now for the gold elephants and they
go on perfectly but the bloody JPS roundel has started to lift! I had a couple of these gel Yamaha ones
that did exactly the same so now its going to have to be some sort of super glue and hope I don't make
a mess of it. Nothing again in today's post! 


 

Only 1 of these arrived..... and now it's lifting!


 Now Friday and running out of time again as nothing from Phoenix yet again, I just wonder if the guy 
ever posted them..... very frustrating as I want to get the photo shoot done. Also I need the tank in my
hands rather than try and fit everything in place with the tank and seat on. Amazing that some logos
have glue that will never part company yet others can't stick the bloody thing to a sheet of paper! I'm
looking at cutting up some other logos as I'm at my wits end and seriously unimpressed but I will give
my man in Phoenix one more day then he is toast!

 Time seems to have beaten me on this one as the owner may be coming to collect the Jumbo this
weekend and I'm still short of 3 decals. Just a very slim chance they may arrive today but once again
its forecast for a load more snow so that could delay things even further! C'mon Santa, we have done 
"The dreaming of a White Christmas".... thank you! now please fill the rest of the wish list....
"All I want for Christmas is my TWO front decals" 



TONY DOWN 

P.S. Finally! the long awaited decal from Phoenix arrived......Hooooray! They look good and are now
fitted and Richard says he will be here on Sunday.

P.P.S The weather forecast is for another winter storm today with over a foot of the white stuff so I'm
doubting whether Dick will venture out in it with a trailer? I think I would wait.