Mods n' Ends aka beating the shot bolt & temp job blues

So there I was belting along the dusky back roads, putting another days’ temp job frustration into perspective and seeing the bigger picture. This heady mix of serenity and pragmatism was rudely interrupted by the sound of metal bouncing across asphalt… Thankfully not the handlebar cam mount, rather this largely likeable Lucas king of the road front light.

Aesthetically pleasing, I’ve never really been convinced by the ornate clasp’s durability and found the knurled bolt uniting its resin bracket unnecessarily fiddly. The lamp itself is another commuter plus model that produces 565lumens in top, with navigational clout through sticksville to around 25mph and 2.5 hours from a full charge.

An easily accessible li-on cell and inexpensive replacements allow extended playtimes with minimal bulk. However, just entering dusk, mine was sipping reserves in flashing…

Meanwhile back at the roadside, I’d leant the Ilpompino against a gate and began foraging through overgrown verges, hoping to find said fastener gleaming in the fading sun. Several minutes hence, I resigned myself to its loss, popped lamp ensemble in my wedge pack and resumed a brisk cadence-mentally scouring Perspex boxes for suitable substitute.    

This materialised as a stray stainless fender eyelet bolt, which aside from improving tenure, makes the bracket harder to swipe. I also discovered another (!) helmet strap complete with Go-Pro mount, so have bolted the Knog pattern atop. These will be tethered to a lid and trialled over the coming weeks.

I’d deliberately allowed the Ilpompino to cultivate a grimy patina during this time to test the effectiveness of some eagerly awaited bike washes, foaming chain cleaners and lubricants of varying viscosity. Air temperatures are still holding around the 20c mark, thus sludgy black frame preserve continues to leach stubbornly from my fleet’s breathe holes and bottom bracket shells.

Ideal conditions for basting the KA’s underside and chassis with my medieval medicine…Previous coats have remained firmly ensconced; albeit slightly weathered, thus bi-annual top-ups stop anything nasty getting a foothold.   

Most cleaners are now designed with composites in mind, eliminating risk of solvent damage. Genuinely effective on light to middleweight summer lubes, filmy residual road spatter and organic stuff; heavy duty wet potions demand three, sometimes four helpings and concerted coaxing from medium firm bristle plots.

Freelancing is synonymous with competence-if you’re not, you don’t last. Very occasionally, we might receive a stiff, though constructive editorial rebuke. Critically evaluate, raise your game and avoid repeat offences.

By contrast, incompetence is one of my biggest bugbears. Present temp role mirrors that this time two years ago, though I’m channelling frustrations into creative endeavours, while assuming an economically pragmatic, means-to-end focus. Stressing the positive, I’m off to play with some rather exciting chain lubes, check progress with my collaborators and work on some drafts before Monday’s 5.30 awakening.