We are still looking for further contributions to our Bikeisaurus of engineering terms, send them to the usual address below.
Rod's Bikeisaurus
Donor Bike – A new and very fast bike purchased by a ‘born again’ biker who probably won’t need certain body parts in the near future.
Teflon Superslides – The type of tyre fitted to most early Japanese motorcycles in the 70’s.
Desmodromic Piston – What you have in your engine for a short while should you fail to set the valve timing correctly.
Suck, squeeze, bang, blow – The perfect end to an evening in the garage!
* Thanks to Tony B for the above new entries!
Barnsley screwdriver: Lump hammer.
Bling: A highly reflective finish much
favoured by motorcycle restorers for paint and brightwork.
Dearth: A scarcity. Opposite of plethora.
Embassy packet: Measurement in precision engineering. “The bore measures about the same as an Embassy packet held sideways.”
Gnat’s cock hair: Measurement in precision engineering. “I’ve machined a gnat’s cock hair off the piston, but it’s still tight in the bore.”
Goosed: See Shot.
Nail: (Noun) motorcycle in poor condition (see Shed); (verb) to fit a component: “I’ve nailed a set of lumpy cams in but it still runs like a dog.”
Old nail: Vintage motorcycle of questionable mechanical reliability. Anything with side valves.
Plethora: An abundance. Opposite of dearth.
Right nail: Motorcycle lacking in design elegance. “That new model GZXR750VFF throws a wobbly at the hint of a bend. It’s a right nail.”
Shed: A dearth of bling.
Smidgeon: Measurement in precision engineering. Bigger than a gnat’s cock hair but smaller than an Embassy packet.
Stuff: Plural of thing.
Tappometer: See Barnsley Screwdriver.
Tart’s handbag: A plethora of bling.
Thing: Singular of stuff.
Unobtanium: Rare metal. “Can’t get them any more mate, they’re made from unobtanium.”
• Add your phrases to our online Bikeisaurus by emailing:
Bikeisaurus@classicmechanics.com
Any sohc4 guys got any more??? Mail them in.
