If only I had the time

Things have slowed up a little in the garage.  Unfortunately, to enjoy having projects like this I have to get out and earn some money now and then to fund them, and when I do go earning money it often means being away from home for a while.
Ive just got back from New Zealand where I was working with some very interesting scientists who were looking at how to tackle the increasing global problem of Obesity and Diabetes.  It was a fascinating trip, in which a real highlight was to have breakfast one morning at the fantastic "Shed 5" (I thourougly recommend going to NZ just to visit Shed 5 ;-)
Of course being away from home means that I cant get to the bench and make tangible progress with my project, but it doesnt stop me from thinking about it - and I think this incubation time can actually be quite useful.

I am beginning to get more clarity on my objectives now.  My Manurhin is lacking a good number of parts (some essential to its movement, and some essential to its identity)  Up until now I have been a little confused as to what i was trying to do with this bike; restore it to its original glory, or simply get it up and running and on the road again?  Either way I want to get it running, registered and legal, but the latter route might be the easiest, quickest and cheapest.  To restore the bike to original condition is going to take a lot of searching (and expense) if I am going to insist on original trim and fittings.  For example.....

Another UK based Manurhin has come up on eBay (Im delighted to see so many coming out).  The vendor has done a nice job of breaking the bike down to sell off individual components.  But he didnt seem to be selling the specific parts that Im after, so I emailed him;

"Hi. Very pleased to see you are selling some manurhin parts. I don't suppose you have;
- Rear light
- Handlebar switches
- Front manurhin badge"

He quickly came back to me;

"These seem to be THE parts to have. Other people have asked too but no I'm sorry I don't have these parts"

This reinforces my original thought that perhaps my own bike was once robbed of these parts to feed someone elses project.
And so perhaps I might be fooling myself into thinking that I can ever find these parts (at a price I can afford, or am willing to afford).  I could however over come these deficiencies by fabricating my own 'custom' parts - it would mean the bike wouldn't be concourse, but it could still be cool.

So I am back from working abroad, but i still don't have much time to get in the garage.  Holidays are coming and I'm off to France.
Perhaps there will be an opportunity for me to get out into some French villages and find some old Manurhins gathering dust,
Perhaps I might find some parts that I need,
Perhaps the 'supply and demand' in France isnt so much against me as it is here in the UK,
Perhaps....