James May: The Reassembler

James May explores the intricacies and engineering marvels of various objects by putting them back together again from a pile of hundreds of their component parts. Not only must he make sure every piece is put back together in order, and explain the purpose of every single nut and bolt, he also has to hope that the reassembled machine will actually work at the end of the process. James is faced with the 331 pieces that make up a 1959 petrol lawn mower.

James concludes his quest to truly understand everyday objects by putting them back together piece by piece with an electric guitar. 147 pieces must be reassembled carefully and in the correct order, this will entail soldering, extensive use of James' precision Japanese screwdrivers and some fiddly electronics. The electric guitar transformed the music industry and society itself and channelling his namesake Brian, James will plug in his reassembled guitar and hope he put all the bits together correctly as he gets ready to perform one of the most unexpected guitar solos of all time.

Much like Santa Claus, James May has spent the year in his workshop getting ready for Christmas, in a festive special in which he reassembles his favourite childhood Christmas present. This isn't just any Christmas present, but one that changed his life and sent him on a path of mechanical intrigue and reassembly. This is the Hornby Flying Scotsman, with realistic chuffing sounds which James ripped open on Christmas Day 1972. Laid out in all its 138 tiny component parts, James lovingly reassembles the train as well as his memories of bygone Christmases and toys from the past. From the exhilarating re-magnetising of the motor's magnets to some thrilling wheel-quartering amidst a backdrop of James' continued bafflement at electricity, we watch as James rebuilds the entire train set and hopes, at the end, that his Christmas wish will come true and the train will start up and realistically chuff into the night.

As James May spends most of his spare time in his workshop tinkering around with old motorbikes, we thought we'd film it. James is faced with reassembling a 1970s Honda Z50A Mini Trail Motorcycle from all its 303 component parts. This exciting and portable mini motorcycle was fun for all the family and got a whole generation of kids hooked on motorcycles for the rest of their lives. This is an object James can't wait to reassemble, but along the way he faces a very real and very hostile battle with some springs, ponders over correct workshop etiquette and contemplates the lifelong debate - what's the difference between a bolt and a screw?