Thanks for the replies folks. I will certainly look into the timing etc. and have a search on ebay for measuring doodah. It's also good to know I can use regular car oil in extremis and I'll definately keep an eye out for those warning signs of nipping up. Slow roads and taking it easy are the order of the day, I reckon.

I'm well aware the bantam isn't the ideal touring moto, but that's kinda why I bought it. The cycle of my life now means I don't have the extended periods of time necessary for monster trips abroad over many months, so taking my XT to Africa or Asia just isn't on the cards (for a while at least!). I've now taken a reliable jap bike to europe enough times that to do it again would be a bit 'samey'. So to inject a bit of 'adventure' into a trip to Ireland, France or Germany (or possibly further east into europe) I decided to get a bike that would make the ride a bit more challenging. Perverse? Maybe so - but this site is full of perverts! And actually, back in the 60s Bantams were regularly used by folks who would now be known as 'overlanders' or 'adventure motorcyclists'. Quite a few Aussies rode them home from the UK and there was one quite famous case of a lady who rode hers in all sorts of places round the world, including one trip round Canada and the States carrying her dog in a box on her parcel shelf!

Oh, Backofbeyond, rest assured the Bantam is fun to ride! With skinny tyres, no indicators or mirrors and a tiny lightweight frame and tank, it's like someone strapped a 175cc motor to a bicycle!

Thanks again for the info folks. I'm in a position of total ignorance about strokers at the moment, so its all good!

Matt

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!