I've been trying to improve the bike as I restore it. In some case I do the best with what I have and keep a look out for better parts.
Here's the original swingarm chain guide, not pretty:


I managed to source a better swingarm and it came with a near perfect guide:


I'm not that happy about the corrosion you can see on the lower edge of the swingarm. The replacement arm is in powder coating, more on that later.

While generally messing around with the wiring and trying to get the best routing I found this.
Thankfully before I was stranded miles away from anywhere.


I'll cut back to good wire and put a new connector and terminals on it.

jibber wrote: Fri Jan 30, 2026 9:59 am This carb kit skipped past me, can not remember you posting about it how long was it to ship over? Taxes/duties?

Hi It's a Mikuni TM42. Came from Australia. They're about $1000 Australian, after tax and delivery it was around £600. I think it took around three weeks from order.
It was bought to go on the modified white 1VJ but because that's got the later engine in the top cooling fin on the barrel needs removing, on the inlet side. I didn't want to disassemble the engine or do it in situ.
The 1VJ barrel has smaller fins so it went on this bike.
I have sourced a later 3AJ barrel and modified the top fin, it's been vapour blasted and is waiting for me to take it to Grampian for a bore and will get sprayed after. The intention is to put the whole later top end on this 1VJ.

cadno wrote: Sun Feb 01, 2026 11:30 am I've been trying to improve the bike as I restore it. In some case I do the best with what I have and keep a look out for better parts.
Here's the original swingarm chain guide, not pretty:

It has a certain rustic charm.

It's yours if you want it

You could probably plastic weld that, but I'll think about it....

Got some finishing touches type stuff done today.
The front relay mount got replaced with a brand new connector:

Found a similar situation on the coil wire, sorted that.
Ran the bike up to temperature and sorted some small oil leaks, checked the torque on all the engine fasteners.
Set the idle speed.
Put a gear lever on it, but it's not the correct one.
Got the bike off the Abba stand and got the rear brake, and footrests back on.
Then went out for a few miles....
Conclusions.
The bike starts extremely well, straight on the button.
It pulls real clean and feels more lively than my other Tenere 600s.
The engine is really quiet, which is always good.
To do:
Find a correct gear lever or buy a new one.
I need to find or buy a front relay, I'm currently running two of the rear ones, this allows the bike to start but you don't get the output to the neutral light.
Get it MOT'd!

Back on the Abba stand after her trip out awoken after the two year slumber.

Front left side view:


I'll get the MOT done, and post some more photos.