James May: The Reassembler

[evilmunkey]

watched the Kenwood episode last night. have to say i really enjoyed it, i'm a tinkerer and like repairing things and figuring out mechanisms etc so is right up my ally. Also love the laid back style too. James's enthusiasm about doing the gears was lovley, plus as the above poster says you pick up little things that can help revive good kit that may have a small issue thats simple enough to fix. got the train one to watch and as i missed most of the first series ill be looking for those online.

[boxst]

Mr. May was on good form today -- thoroughly enjoyed the episode on reassembling the mini-bike.

[miniman]

Definitely a candidate for an hour-long episode though. Lots of bits appeared on the bike unexplained. It was good nonetheless, but all the episodes deserve an hour IMO.

[Trophy200]

miniman said:

Definitely a candidate for an hour-long episode though. Lots of bits appeared on the bike unexplained. It was good nonetheless, but all the episodes deserve an hour IMO.

I have to agree.

Thoroughly enjoyed this episode but unlike others I've watched it felt slightly rushed.

On another note, does anyone know what year this model of monkey bike was?

Trophy200

[outnumbered]

I actually didn't enjoy the monkey bike as much as the Kenwood mixer... I suppose because I already know the basics about what bits go to make up a bike, and there didn't seem to be any clever engineering things to look at.

[peterg1955]

Trophy200 said:

I have to agree.

Thoroughly enjoyed this episode but unlike others I've watched it felt slightly rushed.

On another note, does anyone know what year this model of monkey bike was?

Trophy200

I can't recall the registration plate (was it an F suffix?) anyway, as it didn't have rear suspension it would be a pre-1972 model

[heebeegeetee]

Very enjoyable set of programmes, but I'm surprised by the cheapness of his tools, that coarse ratchet really grates.

[checkmate91]

Wow, nerd alert 36 or 72 ratchet teeth... I must admit that I always went for the finer click (i.e more) but had a sneaking suspicion that the coarser unit was stronger.

Just watched the monkey bike episode, thoroughly enjoyed it, witty and informative. Of course we all know on here that his mate Colin is Goodwin, who also makes thing for fun, in his garden no less! And a number of his lines made me laugh out loud plus the humility of his inability to pull the brake shoes was quite endearing.

All in all, a magic formula which go on for ages, especially with his research and presentation style.

[gregs656]

It's very easy to watch. Are any more planned?

[checkmate91]

He's still got to remake the record player but as for another series, who knows...

[eldar]

peterg1955 said:

I can't recall the registration plate (was it an F suffix?) anyway, as it didn't have rear suspension it would be a pre-1972 model

It did have rear suspension. The spring/damper units were on the frame.

[MartG]

Loved when he played a tune on his spanners, then got his shirt caught in the brake

[Ayahuasca]

He didn't seem to love the motorbike as much as the lawnmower or the toy train, I think this came across a bit.

[227bhp]

This program is so dull, it's like watching paint dry.

[anonymous-user]

Then don't fking watch it then! fk me, some people

[227bhp]

MercScot said:

Then don't fking watch it then! fk me, some people

How was I going to find out how boring it was without watching it?

Some people.

[gareth_r]

checkmate91 said:

...the humility of his inability to pull the brake shoes was quite endearing...

I am surprised he doesn't know the trick to fitting brake shoes - assemble the shoes and springs, put one shoe either side of the pivot & cam with the shoes vertical, then push the shoes into the horizontal position. That way you lever the shoes apart, stretching the spring with ease.

[generationx]

Really enjoyed the Monkey Bike episode - JM was on great form and this programme is a great antidote to all the dross that usually leaks out of the telly.

[peterg1955]

eldar said:

peterg1955 said:

I can't recall the registration plate (was it an F suffix?) anyway, as it didn't have rear suspension it would be a pre-1972 model

It did have rear suspension. The spring/damper units were on the frame.

hahaha somehow managed to completely miss those! I blame old age....

[WinstonWolf]

Love the programme but he doesn't know how to snap a pair of brake shoes on, does he