Tag Archives: Smart

Smart Repairs to SLK Bumper

I recently had some small scuffs imparted to the rear bumper of my SLK by a nice lady who reversed into it in a car park. I thought I’d try the “Smart Repair” available from a local dealer as opposed to the full-blown insurance repair (about £400!) and at 1pm today, George duly arrived in his white van with all his kit.

Apologies in advance for the photos – it was really bright this morning and he was working so fast that I had to take what I could whilst trying to get around the deep contrast caused by the direct sunlight on a silver car…

Her he is masking the job off:

After rubbing it down:

Five coats of silver paint and one coat of lacquer:

Heat treatment:

Job done!

While George was here, I asked him what I should do about the wheel nuts, which were rusty (and ridiculously expensive to replace)

Before:

After:

Silver engine paint and a funnel made out of an old cornflake packet to stop the overspray. Maybe it won’t last long; we shall see!

90 minutes and £80.

Job done.

Nirvana @ Brands for the BSB 8th Aug 2009

More action with “Readies Roadies” as we went down to Brands for the BSB – but really to support Phil in his classic rides with a host of 60’s and 70’s road racing stars.

It was a blistering hot and sunny day. Phil was riding the ex-Kenny Roberts OW48 500 square four Yamaha which developed a serious front-end patter on the first outing. Never having worked on a GP bike before, I volunteered immediately (as you do) and found myself with the Snap-On chest and the front end of a valuable GP bike. Many years of spannering on 70’s Hondas helped here as it was basically the same layout, but fantastically engineered with remote (anti-dive?) front forks and twin discs.
Phil blagged a wheel balance from the Dunlop tent next door and we refitted the wheel, struggled a bit with the calipers and spacers but finally got it all back together. Thinking that Phil was due back out on it gives impetus to the torquing of fork bolts and caliper bolts!

At this time I realised that the Superbike race had just finished; I’d missed it completely.

Here’s Phil on the Yamaha.

Phil Read on the ex-Kenny Roberts 500 Yamaha

Some of the people (Wendy = “Mrs” Read)

Wendy and Tommy Robb
Wendy and Tommy Robb

Wendy, Ago and Colin Seeley
Wendy, Ago and Colin Seeley

Steve & Ago
Steve & Ago

Mick Grant & Wendy
Mick Grant & Wendy

Jim Minding the Shop
Jim Minding the Shop

Mick Grant KR750
Mick Grant KR750

John Cooper 1966 Seely G50
John Cooper 1966 Seely G50

Paul Smart 1972 Suzuki TR750
Paul Smart 1972 Suzuki TR750

David Hailwood Honda-4 (which one?)
David Hailwood Honda-4 (which one?)

Ago MV (replica?)
Ago MV (replica?)

Steve Parrish Seeley
Steve Parrish Seeley