flyingfleasteve

Thanks Ron! Perfect!

Well spotted Ron. If you could point me in the right direction that would be great, my saddle frame has seen better days too! I have got a good few coats of primer coats on most parts now.... looking better already! My aim is to get a rolling chassis as swiftly as possible before the cold weather sets in! Can I ask which size tyres you G3 owners are using? I was thinking 3.50 front and rear? secondly can anyone confirm the size and quantity of the bearings used in the headstock, please? With thanks!

Very nice!!

Thanks Ron! Out of my modest WW2 bike collection this is the bike which is destined to be my ‘daily’ rider. I have now stripped it down but due to the current condition of it there was a lot of snapped bolts! Normally I prep most restorations by hand so it was a bit of a treat to have them blasted.....

Thanks as always Lex! Your help on this restoration is greatly appreciated!

Hi All. After recently completing my James ML restoration idle hands set in again. I said to myself no more projects, but after the opportunity of an early Matchless G3 panel tank came up I just could not resist. I have always had a soft spot for this bike and its fantastic pre war look so when I collected the project a dream came true for me! Quite possibly the trickiest of my restorations to date, I am sure it will be worth it in the end! The pace of this restoration will be a little slower so watch this space!

I have found one!!! Arrived this week, a little bit of surface rust but very solid and will clean up lovely!

Interesting.... I was of the opinion there were two types of filter for the Flea.....

Thanks Lex! I have turnt into a rivit counter 😂

Hi all . I am currently searching out the correct air maze air filter for this bike. Can anyone confirm how many rivits are used to hold/join the filter mesh together? Hope this makes sense?

Looks great Ron! Axholme are fantastic, they worked with me to get the James Ml font just right.....I noticed the Lodge HT cap, is that the same as found on the Flea & ML?

Keep up the good work! I look forward to more photos!

Looking good Ron! The colour looks great! I bet it was hard painting over those shiny bit!

Forgot the chain 😦

Thanks Lex! Yes I did have a few minor issues with my transfers. I am pleased to say the Famous James ML is now finished (We nearly) I cannot quiet believe it! I want to say a massive thank you to each and everyone of you who has taken the time to get involved and provide me with such great advice and information! Without you all I would of never finished the bike! There are a few shiny bits I know should be painted but I am really pleased with the end result! Ron I am ready to meet you on that race track now 😉 So as some of you no I already have my next project lined up.....watch this space!

The saddle has now also been finished and looks great! I took the advantage of the good weather and started applying stencils and transfers.......

Hi Lex! I have had a week off from work this week so the project has moved on well! The rear wheel has now been reconstructed and fitted and the newly made brake rods added to the bike....

Hi All! I hope you are all well! I have been rather hectic the last few weeks but things are now starting to move again with my project! The rear wheel is now back and re-painted, both brake rods are now made, threaded and painted and the restoration of the original ginal seat cover is now under way....... nearly there!

Thanks Ron. That’s great! Out of interest what sorts of brands/manufacturers would of been used originally? (For the chain) Steve

So as I wait for the rear when to come back I am now on the hunt for a new rear chain, has anyone got any recommendations?

That’s the clips I have gone for, from drags. They look the part!

Well after my setback I have now stripped the wheel back and removed the spindle, tyre and sprocket...it’s all packed up and ready to go back to the wheel builders 😔. Whilst I wait for the wheel to come back I have started threading my brake rods.....

Thanks Ron! This is what I suspected 🙈. Gutted!

Hi All. So I thought I would get an early start this morning and put the back wheel together. I have gone to fit it and I have a horrible feeling the rear wheel has been spoked/rebuilt incorrectly. I can see the brake plate is larger than the hub, my spokes have been fixed to both the inner and outer faces of the rear hub on the brake plate side, hence the brake plate does not fit snug to the hub (hope this makes sense) would anyone happen to have any photos of the rear wheel spoke pattern and even better how the rear brake plate mates to the hub? Thanks All!

So the front hub is now rebuilt, and the investment of time has been well worth it, the wheel fits perfectly and spins like a top! Rear wheel next!