EXTREME MAKEOVER "THE REVEAL"
EXTREME MAKEOVER "THE REVEAL"
Here at the Zoo, in the elephant house, we are proud to unveil our latest creation the "JPS" Is it the
"John Player Special" edition of the SWM or "Jumbo Parts by Shadetree"? Who can tell? Is this the
rave machine, or are the readership in for a big disappointment, all will be revealed .....SOON !
The crowd is on it's toes as the moment draws near..... eager children and trials riders alike press
forward to get their first glimpse .....avid members of the press are ready with cameras and notebooks
.......... a roll on the drums........what will be under the cloth? Why is Nigel Mansell here? ...... and all
these other Formula 1 drivers, ......."Oh hello Jenson,........ nice to see you Lewis".... are they at the right
venue? .......... and then we have all these circus people from Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey and
Chipperfield's, what do they know that I don't ?
No, its not one of "these", although I would loved to have driven one, but I did WIN a day driving
Formula Fords at Thruxton when I was in the Royal Air Force... (yet another story)
Not a new one of "these" either!
So what is under the cloth? ..........wait for it, ...... more drum rolls please............ and SWOOOSH
Finally after close on one month in the rebuild phase the SWM Jumbo is finished and offered
here for comments. What started as a restoration on a less than desirable piece of junk has
been completed, oil has been replenished, fresh tires and cables, new bars and fenders, tired
alloy brought back to life and the whole thing given a new livery that might promote
"pride of ownership".
It is now free to roam the plains, play in mud holes, knock over trees and generally do what it
was intended for. However I suspect it may join the other 80 strong machines the owner has
in his warehouse. Maybe one day I might be allowed to take it on a non AHRMA trial and see
how it performs. What a disgrace that AHRMA still refuses to let the last of these post 79 Twin
Shock machines compete.
The last few days leading up to the event have been problematic waiting for other people and
as always the POST! My fingers are crossed as I type (may account for the sfpeqlling errors)
but the throttle cable did arrive yesterday so I'm now left waiting on 3 different sets of logos
and Wayne Weedon's Gold Number plate. Hopefully in the 2 days remaining before going to
press there will be a breakthrough and it will all come together. I have faith! Need to keep
praying as today's post had nothing!
I'm running out of time to make the deadline, the last few touches have been done, cable
fitted in the new Domino, kicker and shifter repolished and fitted, last checks on the rewired
kill switch. Just the new grips to put on and maybe bend the left footrest back to shape.....
C'mon post don't let me down now.
Another day and nothing! Grips fitted, footrest reshaped, but the postal system has let me
down again. Today would have been the day but I can't go to press with an incomplete
machine.
Some progress the Wayne Weedon Gold No Plate arrived, many thanks Wayne, and do
check his other "bling" especially if you are a Bultaco fan. No sign of the logos which were
posted on 23 November. Never ceases to amaze me how difficult it is to get a letter across
the Atlantic! So now I'm 3 days behind and getting annoyed.
....Monday and its started to snow! Forecast is for about 8" and it will go on until Tuesday
evening, seems I'm delayed even further but the white might be a good contrast and back
drop. So another 2 days loom of nothing and patience is being stretched beyond belief.
Some logos arrived along with nearly a foot of snow which has now moved to blizzard
conditions. No outside photography for the next few days! Can't even get to the workshop
and amid all this fun only ONE of the tank badges arrived despite ordering and paying
for 2, so bear with me. I suppose I could do a "naked shoot" along the lines of Playboy,
sort of a "topless" SWM, Miss December, may be appropriate for a thing called UGLY
BETTY.
....Wednesday, and still no sign of the missing logos which are the final hold up. Forks
were as stiff as a brick and although the 220cc of SAE10 was loaded I have drained some
off to test the action. There may still be some of the Shadetree mix in those forks and I
may be draining and flushing a few more times to get it right. While inspecting other trivia
I noticed the rear brake pedal still needs a "tweak" so with time on hand another mini task
before Richard comes to collect his beastie.
Saturday, and maybe Richard will be coming to collect Ugly Betty this weekend so I must
fit the tank and seat arrangement with or without the missing decals, but I now see we are in
for yet more snow so that may affect his travel plans and give me some grace time.
The SWM logos finally made it so I'm only short one JPS roundel. Another foot of snow
forecast for today but the show must go on. Outside photography would seem out of the
question so maybe have to bring Ugly Betty in by the "I love Me Wall" and complete the photo
mission there after the snow melts off her tires.
The blizzard has gone, the temps are up and the crowd is here! So at last here it is....
The ALL NEW SWM TL350 JUMBO, JPS Edition......
The "JPS"
I'm a JUMBO
Now I can breathe!
Lest we forget
Looking better
Yuk !
Oooooh! .......Wow!
What a mess!
Hard ridden, put away wet.....
Just a few more pictures as I doubt you will ever see this one in action
Wasn't me ....it was a Harley that marked it's spot! .... you may not get to
ride me to my full potential....... but I know a man who can.....
One of the chosen few that could ride a Jumbo
Yet another rebuilding saga from the "Blackcat" workshops
TONY DOWN
Very pretty, worth the wait and your effort.
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That was enjoyable Tony! Beats a phony O.C.C. episode any day!
What's next? It's going to be a long winter!
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Nice one Tony, Mart were't bad on one either!!!
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Tony - Bravo!!! the bike turned out great. I still don't see why you think the bike is so ugly? We'll talk later. I really like the colors - much better than stock. I hope you get to ride the Jumbo before the old owner picks it up.
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That's what happens when a Gasser Raga mates with an SWM Jumbo!
Did you run out of purple paint?
Very tidy young Tony.
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Tony ; If I still had my '72 Lotus europa JPS (#40 out of 100 ), The Jumbo would look just right sharing a garage stall ... But one way or the other you've got to get a few hours of peg time on it , Your thoughts on what beauty is will change ...
Another unique bike from the Down Mind ...
Glenn
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Work of art! Now if I can get your address I`ll send you a TL125!
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Lovely job, but having tried to paint plastic tanks in the past and found the paint bubbles after a short while, I wonder how your SWM tank was painted?
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Hi Tony, Really tasteful and it looks purposeful too. Looks like your hard work paid off. From chrysalid to butterfly sums it up for me. Regards from an old team mate.
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