When you are pulling apart engines, machinery, and hydraulics, and you need protection to plug off or cap fluid lines, ports and threads, throw away the rags and the tape and contact Hi-Q components.
They stock the Stockcap range, manufactured by Australia’s Sinclair & Rush, who produce hundreds if not thousands of protective plastic caps and plugs for applications including high-temperature masking, shipping protection, contamination control, and health and safety.
For more information or to request a catalogue, contact sales@hiq.co.nz, or phone 0800 800 293, or buy online at https://www.hiq.co.nz/
The Shed magazine October/November 2026 issue 129 on sale now
20 September 2026
Accomplished sheddie Chris 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.
Chris 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.
Consideration 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.
It’s where?
Discussions throughout the week resulted in a deal being done, and then I was the proud owner. Slight wrinkle: it was in Woodbury, a small town just out from Geraldine, South Canterbury. A van trip south, and the bike was in my possession. During the loading of the bike in Woodbury, it became very apparent that this was a hefty beast. As I work alone, special considerations and handling techniques would be required to prevent further damage to the bike… or indeed, me.
