Strada Revival

[GeoffJH]

Long story in brief, my wifes Strada and my Sport have been stored for 16 years due to children taking over. A month ago I took a deep breath and set about reviving the Strada. Many new parts and hours later we have a taxed and MOT'd bike looking reasonable ready to go. The internet was in its infancy 16 years ago and information was limited to the club magazine and the workshop manual. Today its great to see so much information available. I do however have a few questions which may be easy for some of you.
I used leaded petrol previously, is it best to use standard unleaded or super with some Moreys additive ?
I have used Castrol GTX 3 for old engines semi synthetic oil has anyone any experience with this oil ?
The gearbox works OK but neutral is impossible to find with the engine running is this common ?
The headlamp is as hopeless as ever is there a complete halogen headlamp conversion available ?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[EVguru]

I mostly use Shell V-Power in my '77 Sport, but it runs fine on ordinary unleaded, whilch I'll use if I need fuel and am not within easy range of a Shell station.

I think the engine runs a bit crisper and uses a little less fuel on the high octane. Trying to bend the tach needle against the stop at club trackdays doesn't seem to have caused any issues with valve seat recession either. I think the additves are a waste of money on these bikes.

Oil wise, I run what was specified for the late engines; 10W40 Semi Synthetic, usually Halford's own brand (especcialy when it's on offer). I tend to base my oilchange interval on whether I can see the oil level on the dipstick without the aid of a piece of paper.

They're not the easiest bikes to find neutral on. It's worth cleaning the clutch.

NLM have H4 conversions for the headlamp.

[GeoffJH]

Hi Paul, thanks for the tips, looks like I am not far off with the fuel and oil. Like the tip on the oil colour hopefully will get enough miles in before the passage of time means an oil change. I have tried cleaning the clutch plates with isopropol alcohol, noticed a few of the plates were not perfectly flat which may be the cause of the drag and no neutral. The clutch is adjusted to the max, may be its time to splash out the cash. Time to start on the sport shame the nights are drawing in.

[Daddy Dom]

Haha, the nights are just drawing out, here in NZ. Welcome back to Morini-land.
DD