{"product_id":"the-shed-129-october-november-2026","title":"The Shed 129, October\/November 2026","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMotorbike customisation – CGR916 Café Racer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccomplished sheddie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChris Gordon's extensive shed work continues, but this latest project comes with a Ducatisti advisory warning: This article contains graphic images and descriptions of procedures that some Ducati fans may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChris wondered: with my previous projects completed, what to do next? Another motorcycle project would be good. I’d never done a café racer. The Gulf Racing livery was nice. What if I combine all of these? I say yes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConsideration was then given to what base vehicle to use. By chance, a work colleague’s beloved 2001 Ducati ST4 Sports Tourer had recently suffered engine failure, leaving him stranded somewhere in the bowels of South Canterbury. Although the bike had been taken to a safe location, he couldn’t see a viable way forward for getting it back on the road. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo purchase a copy of this edition of The Shed, see the bottom of this column.\u003cbr\u003eTo view a fully illustrated content rundown of what’s in this issue, head \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/theshed.nz\/the-shed-magazine-october-november-2026-issue-129-on-sale-now\/\"\u003ehere \u003c\/a\u003eto our website\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA new home for this Men’s shed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Whanganui Community Men’s Shed Trust Inc has found a new home. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Trust opened in March this year in what used to be the Auto Barn of Whanganui businessman and vintage car collector, Ed Boyd.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the archives: Growing up\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA decorative vertical herb planter is the perfect outside addition to the barbecue area for summer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRotting hull to speargun pro\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe restoration of a newly bought boat with a rotting hull gave Matt Debono a challenging apprenticeship that equipped him with the knowledge and confidence to start making high-quality hardwood spearguns. He quickly discovered the benefits of constructing them with the assistance of a CNC machine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMotorbike restoration – Restoring a 1952 AJS – Part 12\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeter laments some restoration errors in this instalment. Several times he has installed parts only to find that before he did X, he should have done Y.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA masterpiece hits the rails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMOTAT was gifted this Whanganui City tram back in 1967. Finally, after decades of work and storage, its rebirth is complete. The restoration is a remarkable product of love and persistence, and the result can only be described as exquisite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElectrical problems – why doesn’t it go?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs a registered electrician for most of his life, Sandy Fergusson felt he should offer some basic electrical info to readers and extol the virtues of owning a $12 digital multimeter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasic woodworking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMortise and tenon part 2 – a cabinet project\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the previous issue of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Shed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, issue 128, Edward explained how to make a mortise and tenon joint. Now it's time to put that knowledge into practice with this stylish cabinet project.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOff the grid: Consolidating, philosophically\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith management out of town, Murray turns the sitting room into a rope maker’s workshop to complete his favoured Amokura model. Happily, YouTube clever buggers and the current world situation with oil keep him alert and focused.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoute 79 Museum\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside Geraldine’s hidden treasure. A passionate, varied collection of vehicles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeraldine could claim to be New Zealand’s museum capital. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHam Radio: Part 3 – Extending the reach\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNigel Young goes even deeper to learn all he can about Ham Radio and is surprised to discover the strong use of Morse Code. Plus, he explores aerials, antennas, the tricky Moonbounce, and the future of this unique method of communication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeyond the Valley of the Dolls\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the 1970s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe Department of Labour sent Glen Wilkin-Holland to the Purfex mannequin factory. He had long hair, too much jewellery and make-up. The owner, Austin Purdy, was a rugby, racing and beer sort of bloke. He took one look at Glen and said, \"You’re a creative type; you’ll be perfect for the job.” Now Glen owns the Purfex mannequin business, one of the very last of its type in NZ.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Shed Shrink: Local focus\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur shrink meets an ex-police officer who has not only done exemplary service here for us, but has also served overseas in conflict zones and trained locals in policing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBack O The Shed – Jim Hopkins – a Kiwi shed legend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI was shocked to hear that Jim Hopkins had died recently. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJim was my predecessor in this column, something that we have had since the start of The Shed magazine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MagStore.nz","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43386889502814,"sku":"The shed 129","price":17.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0306\/3293\/files\/The_Shed_129.jpg?v=1789858769","url":"https:\/\/magstore.nz\/products\/the-shed-129-october-november-2026","provider":"MagStore.nz","version":"1.0","type":"link"}