I guess its not called "the brick" for nothing!
I don't believe the Comet to be a lightweight either, though I may be spoiled with my experience of modern bikes.
I take some heart, Bill, that at least I am not the only one then to concern themselves over reliability, even though you have never been afflicted with a breakdown. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
I decided this afternoon to get my butt into gear and take the head and barrel/piston off this weekend and send to Simon Linford who I only managed to call today when I found myself at home this afternoon nursing a sick daughter. He will assess and let me know its condition. I will have my mate take a look as well, before I send it off and see what he thinks as he has had a few of his bikes in bits, so should be able to point out any obvious short comings.
So I am at least addressing my own trepidation. Time is always in short supply, and money, well as my late mother-in-law used to say " to hell with poverty"!
As a Scotsman, I am not reckless with money, I am just careful where I spend it and Simon seemed "straight up" and provided as much info as he felt he could without seeing what was needing done. We shall discuss any costs before work starts and the VOC Spares company will benefit from the sales of any spares required. I have no objection to any of that, if it fixes the issue and I am happier and the bike runs better.
I will then be wiser about the innards of my Comet
and have had some fun and education along the way!
Additionally, I am sure I will gain some satisfaction over having done some of the disassembly and assembly myself.
Its not the first job I have done to the Comet and I did feel good about improving the bike, previously. Some of that cost me nothing, some of it cost me "a little more" than nothing.
Ok, fingers-crossed as the weekend is not far away........