I'm steadily moving closer to what I think is the best part in any bikes life. Hearing it come to life the first time, whether it's a full resto or just a service after a winter lay up, feels like such a momentous occasion. In the scheme of things it isn't really a big deal and I should be looking forward to riding it more than I am to just kicking it over for the first time.

First job is to get it back on it's wheels so I can roll it out to give the engine a blast and degrease. The front tyre was the first job. A Pirelli City Demon, hardly very sticky but well up to the job. Nothing much more to say about it other than it's done. I will pull both wheels later to balance them. I blasted the brake back plate, cleaned and drained the front forks and re-installed the front wheel. The forks need new seals and dust caps but they will be fine for now. I've also cleaned and painted the top yoke, polished the bars and lubed all the cables.

The carbs were next on the list. They both got a blast with the soda gun and a liberal soak of carb cleaner just to get them apart. The right carb came apart easily but it was a fair bit grottier than the left. After a clean with a blast of air it went back together without any dramas. The left was a different story. After removing the main jet I had a struggle to get the emulsion tube out and as a result nearly stuffed the thread in it. A bit of careful working the jet in and out has sorted it but I'm not really happy with it. I think that I'll get a rebuild kit to put on the shelf for the next clean in case the thread strips. My tip for life with a two stroke - always plan for the next rebuild.

I'm waiting on a few parts to arrive from Yambits.co.uk before I can go much further. I've haven't used them before so I'll let you know how I go. I needed a new carb to airbox 'Y', oil tank filler tube, rear cush drive rubbers and fork dust seals. I also ordered a fuel tap kit, a fuel tank cap seal kit and front sprocket lock washers just to put on the shelf. As I said before, always planning for the inevitable.