Rode over to NLM today to have an annoying flat spot on my carbs sorted and a new lug welded on to the frame, or so I thought. I was alarmed to find out that the primary drive nut on the crankshaft was loose and was the cause of an unidentifiable (to me) knock when the engine was started and running at low revs. This followed the unexpected news from Alex that my Strada was not a Strada, but in fact a Sport and with the peakier cam the Armour S/steel exhaust cans were not suited to the Sport engine. Further joyful news was that all of the jets in the carbs were original and more suited to sunny Italy than our shores and good old fashioned proper petrol not the tree hugger stuff we have to put up with now.
So after a bit of consideration, I decided to change the cans for the original seam welded variety which would suit the engine more and obviously have all the correct jetting done at the same time. however, when Alex started the engine and heard the knock he immediately shut her down and declared that the Primary drive nut was loose and if I had been unfortunate there could be a lot of expensive damage
At this time I went up to the parts dept fulfilling my job as gofer, and I happened to see a AJS twin parked outside, when I got to the top of the stairs, I met the owner who I found out to be Steve Brown with whom I had been carrying out a lengthy correspondence on the Ajay/Matchie forum and who was instrumental in introducing me to the wonderful world of Morinisti along with Alan Jennings. It was a real pleasure to meet you at last Steve
Alex was also on a tight schedule as he had a flying lesson booked for that afternoon and had to be finished for 13.30 and he had not factored the time in for a primary drive strip-down and examination. When the sump plug was removed, there was no sign of any ground up metal adhering to the magnetic sump plug that the previous owner had installed only an M6 washer, but from where? I must say that I was starting to feel doubtful that I would be riding home. However, Alex, aided by Ellis and Olly stripped her down and replaced the shonky nut and Woodruff key re built her before I could scuttle across the road for some more carb bits. Now came the nail biting moment when Alex asked Ellis to fill her up with oil and then he turned on the ignition and pressed the electric leg button.......
I was expecting to hear the sound of tortured big end shells as Alex told me prior to strip down that the primary drive nut also drove the oil pump. Buuuut, all we heard was the sweet sound of the engine minus the 'orrible knock' After checking the ignition timing and balancing and setting up the carbs, Alex took her for a road test. when he came back, he had a smile on his face so all had gone well.
After parting with a not unreasonable, but hefty 500 notes including 3.5 hours labour, I mounted up and started my Journey home. However, after reaching the M42 without mishap she started to run very rough on one pot, so I turned her around and Hied myself to NLM again. Olly soon found the culprit, Champion plugs! don't use em in a Morini they are shite
After a very pleasant scratch through the Leicestershire countryside, I finally got home, lighter of pocket yes, but have met some very professional and knowledgeable people and had the opportunity to have escaped a bolloxed engine so
all round .... A Tutto Gas 
My Camel is nearly usable now, still need to sort out a rear shock for it. And yes, I really was at work when you rang, but no I'm not a vicar. Just saintly.