Cylinder head back on

Now that really is a difference. Kicking the motor over now needs a hefty swing to turn it over. Before there was no resistance at all. Now its reluctant to go past TDC without a hefty kick. Looking good.

New piston and barrel for Siegfried

New piston and cylinder for Siegfried the Simson

Other side of cylinder insert sleeve

No isea where all that metal went. What with this and the state of the piston it is a wonder that Siegfried ran at all.

Simson mice

Look at the base of the liner surround. This is under the carb so mystery oil on fins there can only have come from here.

Knachered piston

Scored piston

Just look at that scoring

Top oil ring gap

All rings v loose with lots of free play up and down. Top oil ring had a 10mm loose piece floating in the groove.

Siegfried - the guilty party at last

As suspected loads of burning on the exhaust side of piston.

Siegfried at Grafham Water

Siegfried still running rich

Took a first look at Siegfried tonight after his Isle of Man duty. Disappointed by same old black sooty plug. Checked ignition timing - it is spot on. This only now leaves the piston and barrel. ADF do a complete new piston and barrel set for around £150 so I will now order one. Thinking here is that external oil appearing on the cooling fins is not coming from the cylinder base, head gasket or rocker box cover. It can only be coming from the inside so something is not right. After Sunday's rally Siegfried will retire for the winter and will be stripped down to the crankcase. I am hoping to find a piston with signs of burning and oil blow by on the exhaust side. That would prove my suspicions.

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Siegfried at Ramsey sprint 2015

Amazing meeting at Ramsey Sprint

Here with Hendrik Knechtel, left and Stromgardt Kraft to his right. These gentlemen have friends with a collection of 6 Simson AWO racers that they want to parade at next year's Classic TT. They asked if I would help to facilitate this.

At Ramsey Sprint with Connor Cummins

Gary Vines, winner, picks up his trophies

With Yuri Burigan

Yuri bravely droned round on his 400cc Yamaha Supermotard hiding behind a tiny screen. Got a finishers medal too ! Braaaap

Last race so time to pack up for another year

Gary Vines 2015 Manx Grand Prix Newcomers B WINNER !

All marshal's essentials to hand here !

Siegfried arrives for work

Great fun. Long delays so we all sang I wanna be like you hoo hoo in the sun

Team Lost a Spanner at Jurby

My great friend Claudet and his mate Georges at Jurby

Here we are, Team Lost a Spanner, enjoying the comforts of Mike Griffith's motor home. Living the dream.

Siegfried good to go to Jurby, have ukulele, will travel

Alpine Cottage memorial

Alpine is very fast and has some sad history

Do I get Nectar points ?

Chopper refueling base at Alpine Cottage

Marshal on tea duty

Rudi the helicopter doctor

Milepost at Alpine Cottage

Alpine Cottage the way out - next is Ballaugh bridge

Alpine cottage - the way in

Chopper pilot relaxing at Alpine Cottage

Siegfried arrives on Isle of Man

Siegfried resting before another day on The Isle of Man

And here is Gary Vines hard at work

Gary Vines TZ Yamaha

This year I have backed Manx GP Newcomer Gary Vines on his stunning TZ Yamaha

Guernsey St Peter Port mini sprint paddock

Next - The Manx GP

At last its nearly here. All booked, trailer and Siegfried sorted. Signed on as marshal, now waiting for Jurby entry confirmation - not long now !

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Twin engined Ariel Arrow Donington Park

Amusingly this was offered to Ariel club members to parade but no takers !

Areil Arrow with 2 motors Donington Park

Siegfried the Simson all set for Donington Park classic festival

Ah, I wonder if Freddie Spencer, Wayne Gardner will long remember the day they shared the same track as Siegfried.

St Peter Port mini sprint

Great fun to watch, super twisty car park layout on harbour front

Nice Greeves in Guernsey

St Peter Port

Favourite in Guernsey

St Peter Port

St Peter Port Guernsy - motor sports Sunday

Irish newspaper bike

Scrutineering at Pre TT Classic Billown

Paddock scene Pre TT Classic Billown

Pre TT Classic Billown Isle of Man 2015

This is old time racing like nowhere else. All grass paddock, tent city and massed start racing on 4.25 miles of closed public roads.