Other hobbies/interests

[Easydrinker]

What I find relaxing, is something that I can already do, maybe even eyes closed.
Now, doing something new, that really piques my interest, is not really relaxing, but it does seem invigorating.
Even if it seems like hard work.
Go figure.

Robert.

[myles]

Any of you folks into kites. I was mad keen when younger and built all sorts of big ones for the kids.
Still have a book full of plans etc. I used to have easy access to parachute material (orange) so for me it was an easy thing to get into.

[Jennysgin]

We built a couple and went to a few kite festivals when we were wee
The building was quite tricky if I remember rightly. Getting the balance point right etc

[StillDave]

I too used to build kites, only simple ones tho, no rip stop monsters for me. I still have one somewhere made out of a binbag and some wooden dowels. It used to go out of sight nearly!

[DorsetScott]

I reckon may be the only one here, but I am quite into Obstacle Course races.

The Tough Mudder type events with obstacles/mud etc.

[Elecrafter]

Any of you folks into kites. I was mad keen when younger and built all sorts of big ones for the kids.
Still have a book full of plans etc. I used to have easy access to parachute material (orange) so for me it was an easy thing to get into.

Wow.. this forum never ceases to amaze me!

Somewhere in the loft I have a 8ft (2.4m) Delta-wing kite and a 4ft (1.2m) Triangular Box kite that I bought from Foskett Kites in Swindon during the 80's. Both are rip-stop nylon. Haven't flown them in years, but did have the Delta-wing up at 1200 ft (yeah.. Not a legal height) on a beach in Cornwall many (30) years ago. You couldn't get it of the ground in anything more than a puff of wind. But at 1200ft it was trying to rip your arms off! Only did that the once, as its a lot of (100lb breaking strain) cord to wind back in! They did a 17ft delta-wing for lifting Video Cameras up, nowadays its a small drone and Hi resolution mini camera with full feedback video. My how times have changed!

Ele.

[myles]

Cornwall 30 years ago had me on Trevose Head flying a 12 foot winged box kite version of a dragon.

[Mash]

We go there every year. I have a huge pink parafoil kite.
I think it has just made the packing list.. Trevose Head here we come.

[buffalobob]

I was interested in kite fishing for a while but that was superseded by drone fishing but that can get expensive , I still fancy making a bait launcher/cannon tho They are cheap to make and impressive distances achievable. Anything is possible with the aid of YouTube

[Maker]

I made this a while ago, wheels from the 40's, bullet 350 motor from the 50's fully rebuilt, saddle off a bicycle, made everything else from what I had, looks cool but was exciting to ride...

[Elecrafter]

Cornwall 30 years ago had me on Trevose Head flying a 12 foot winged box kite version of a dragon.

Been on Trevose head so many times I cant count. usually with a Pile of Pasties from The Chough bakery in Padstow, and then eat them up in the car park near the lighthouse. Love that place, been going there since the 1950's (No dual carriageways let alone motorways then!).
Ele.

[Easydrinker]

I made this a while ago, wheels from the 40's, bullet 350 motor from the 50's fully rebuilt, saddle off a bicycle, made everything else from what I had, looks cool but was exciting to ride...

I can't decide whether that is cute or sexy!
Did you get it road legal?
It looks very like a stretch version of a Malagutti that I owned nearly 45 years ago.
Hats off to you mate.

Robert.

[Maker]

It's road legal as it's pre 1960, well the number plate is...so no need for tax or mot.
I bought an engine and a log book for 250 quid off ebay, this is the result.

[Easydrinker]

As Terry Pratchett wrote - 'In-sewer-ants?'
They, - "Has the vehicle been modified in any way, sir?"
You, - "No, just as it was built!"

Robert.

[StillDave]

Maker, that is beautiful! What's the frame from?

[gaza the instructor]

Now that is COOl Maker, very nice.

[Maker]

Maker, that is beautiful! What's the frame from?

Thick walled 1" steel tube, I had some but not enough, think it was £13 for 6 meters.
Got one of these to bend it https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-HEAVY- ... Swqd1dfoOt

[Maker]

As Terry Pratchett wrote - 'In-sewer-ants?'
They, - "Has the vehicle been modified in any way, sir?"
You, - "No, just as it was built!"

Robert.

The law is a bit 'sketchy' when it comes to modifying bikes, I have a 78 hard tail chop that doe's not have a single component from the original bike, all legal.
At least with the enfield the reg docs match the engine!

[Maker]

For those wondering how do I design such a machine, it's simple, I use CAD (cardboard-aided-design), very high tec

[Easydrinker]

LOL!

Robert.

[StillDave]

Maker, that is beautiful! What's the frame from?

Thick walled 1" steel tube, I had some but not enough, think it was £13 for 6 meters.
Got one of these to bend it https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-HEAVY- ... Swqd1dfoOt

Brilliant! Not Reynolds 531 molybdenum?..

I had an Enfield 500 Meteor Minor.....same gearbox with the infamous neutral finder!.....

[buffalobob]

That brings memories flooding back. I have some Norwegian biker mates who brought their old bikes over here to hunt for spares. One of them had a 700 enfield with running boards and the neutral lever.
Maker I know why you chose that moniker now. Your little Enfield looks mint

[Maker]

I've used cold drawn to make other bikes but this one I just went with heavy duty welded tube as it was just a plodder.
Gearbox had to be rebuilt so new bearings and filled up with ATF if I remember correctly, certainly not standard but helped it to behave!
Someone needs to notice how clean the throttle assembly is, it's the part I'm most pleased with on the whole build...

[Maker]

Buffalobob, the old Enfields were awesome, shame they cheaped out but thats just how it goes.
I was pretty pleased with the end result, flogged it now though, I'll dig out some pics of other builds, did an XS650 a few years ago, won a prize and got in MCN

[buffalobob]

I did notice your handle bar set up and front end mate, really neat. I also like the old Yam 650, it has a great motor and good for custom work. I got an XS750 triple shaft drive in 79 or 80 brand spanking new, it's still going strong now unfortunately with another owner tho . Another great bike for customizing, seen a few. Cheers Maker