The new wiring for the rectifier
Nothing in India happens quickly, and that includes servicing and repair of old Matchless motorbikes! So I wasn’t too surprised today when I visited the mechanic’s shop again and found that nothing had really moved on much since Saturday. The auto-electrician had certainly done his part of the re-wiring, but there were lots of bare wires still protruding from various orifices on the bike and useful parts such as headlamps and switches missing. So what was the problem? Well apparently the slight oil leak from under the engine was due to a cracked drain plug and they had to wait for a new one to be delivered.
Now I didn’t want to ask where such an item was being sourced from a such short notice here in India (although I did notice that the Matchless in the garage next door was firmly under wraps today!), but more to the point, exactly why waiting for delivery of a drain plug stops the electrical work being completed is anyone’s guess. So on with the ‘grumpy foreigner’ face and a few choice words from my driver along the lines of ‘could you please hurry up with this bike’ and that was it for today’s tinkering.
On the bright side, I’ve been promised that if I go tomorrow after 2pm the bike will be fully completed and ready for test drive. However, I was also told the same thing about last Wednesday, Friday and Saturday so I’m not going to hold my breathe. But as my driver quite rightly says “Ye India hai!” (this is India) and so what will be will be in it’s own good time. I’ll keep you posted….