bigduke6

Even molded in to the Bricks at the Forte in Corfu, either to stop Squadies selling them to the locals or the locals helping themselves ... They were part of a walkway and stapes that I stumbled upon when searching for the Toilet.

There is or was a cylinder head and barrel for one on ebay. I was watching it too on ebay just out of interest....myself I know little of them at least not enough to bid on one.

Just checking this post and I'd never hit the send button from some time back so, First of , a big thanks to Lex and Ron, Lex for lending me the G3 engine plate and Ron for being the middle man. The plates I,ve made come out well and there are another few on the way, just the reinforce/spacer to do but the leg work is all done. In the words of Rolf HarRis can you tell what it is yet Pic below is the profiles roughed out, the top plate was drilled then tacked to the other so I could drill through and use the top as a guide. Cleaned up and ready for bead blasting.

Thanks for that, will Give Les a shout.....

Looking for break shoes for the above, someone I know has made there own (outstanding work ) after searching for a few months (there not in the UK) just wonder if anyone knows where to source them or ones that can be fettled to suit.

Thanks Lex, Sorry for delay..... internet on ship not so good and now in Corfu so it's hit and miss. Email on the way. At present only looking to make a perfect template, and use when required. I'm looking for someone to do a DXF file. Have two at work roughed out ready to mark out. Ron, my originals come in at 2.8mm which is .3 mm less than than 1/8. The thickness across the plate and spacer/ reinforce for the mag platform is 4.0 mm

Thanks Ron, Wdbikemad and Lex, Ron It was Steve who suggested I repair mine or make a set, as he believed they made the originals too light...... the plates I have, have the reinforce/spacer for the Mag platform so set that as the max thickness, will check again on that measurement. Lex will email you when I can, in the meantime I was thinking even a trace of an original would be sufficient for what I need, as long as I can get the correct dimensions of the holes which would mean measuring them with a vernier and writing it next to the traced hole...... ( if anyone has the spare time to do this, a new made set of plates would be theirs for the effort)

I'm in the process of making my own engine plates and also repairing the ones I have, I've used my originals for templates, but they have some elongated holes which I can just make out some of the centres but its a bit hit and miss. I'm after a NOS one or a reproduction one to buy if anyone has one ? I'm only going to use it as a template and get all the correct diameters of the holes etc. I've got 3mm steel plate but was going to use 3.5mm to beef it up, does anyone know if this would cause any major issues as my originals come in at 2.8mm but are like fag paper in parts where they have worn against the crankcase.

Well said Mike, If we didn't moan then all these things would be ignored and it would turn into a theme park. 6 out 10 for me.

Washers ordered today from AMC, also some bits for the forks. Regarding your G3 bottom end Ron, I'd read somewhere (After I bought my new bottom end) that they can be re ground or skimmed and use harley rollers as they can be bought over size. For anyone reading the thread, I'm going to clean it it up at some point, as it drags because lot of pics missing due to photo bucket pulling a fast one. I'll have time on my hands when I'm sat at the bar next week in Corfu so the pics may not be just of the Matchless....

Guess it will be Tuesday then..........

Cheers Ron, Going by the single one fitted in 55 + engines I can work out the size, I looked on the Russell Motors page and there not listed (not to say Les doesn't have them). Having a read the only purpose they serve is to locate the timing side in the correct position for the oil pump. Just wonder the purpose of the two when later on they went to one ?? I guess the two were replaced by just one when in service , also made a mistake of where the homemade (probably the Army again) shims where, looking at an old photo they sat between the old timing side bearing race and the C/C. Am in need of a few little bits and peaces so will contact Les at Russell Motors and Amc on monday.

Been a while since I touched the Matchless, but just about to assemble the crank case and was looking at the drive side bearings spacing washer, I only have one which is the small one, I remember when I stripped the engine it only had the one but it did have two homemade shims at the end of the drive shaft which sat between the outer bearing and inner of the crank case. Although I'm using different Crank cases and also the timing side bearing has been replaced by the two step bush, just wonder what size is the bigger washer ? anyone have any idea ?, part number is 168-66 the one I have is 16889-A (going by an exploded drawing of the bottom end) In a box of spares I have a big washer which I assume is from the later engine 55 onwards that I can turn down the diameter and then grind it to the correct thickness. Thanks In advance.

Good To meet up again Mike, although very short..... spent too much time in the trade stands. I said my bit in the latest thread on the W&P, all in all a good day, but disappointed they shelved the half price for the Veterans and Serving members, I can accept the extra £10 but feel the veterans have been let down.

Went Tuesday, had a good day all round but was pushed for time, the Tuesday start is a good idea though as I work Wednesday to Wednesday so at least I can one day in before I start work hopefully next year will have the Matchless with me and stay down for the 5 days etc. What did get my back up is having to get out the way of vehicles driving to and from the trade stands on the small stretch of road from the entrance. Toilets were just the same (limited in my view) and the no discount on the gate for serving Forces members or Veterans...... can accept paying the extra £10, but think they could at least give the veterans a free entry, found that a that a bit naughty myself........ Good to meet up with a few members of another forum but again didn't have enough time although I was there 6 1/2 hrs. I have to admit I much preferred it when it was at Western Hanger easy access for public transport off the train and straight into the ground.

Luis, its Geoff same Bigduke6 as on Milsurps, can't help you out on above measurements but can help out on the pannier frames you were after as I'm doing a bit of work on the Matchless this week, its all been boxed up since last year whilst waiting for some land for my new workshop still waiting for the land and as the weather is unbelievable at present I've hauled out some bits and pieces to work on.

Thats Interesting regarding the reserves, I mention not being at Sea long, as most in the Junior Engineer Rank soon became 4th and 3rd Engineers, back then the Board of Trade exams were for Second and Chief Engineers...... so no certificate was needed for the junior ranks, although when discharged Sea service testimonials would be issued plus the Discharge Book stamped accordingly. A lot of young lads when in there last year of Apprenticeship could finish it at Sea in some cases, also some straight out of there time, (like myself) went to Sea. During the war tradesmen just under the maximum age of enlistment would probably remain in there trade as they were more valuable in that position, Some over the age and wanting to do something would volunteer for The Merchant Navy. You Grandfather being a Junior Engineer, this was a Merchant Navy Officer Rank, So When the the vessel come under the command of the RN he and the other crew would of been transferred to RNR or RNVR but would still receive his MN pay. As a POW there is probably a lot more you can find out though the National Archives. Also try the Royal Navy as the Vessel was sunk and also being under the RN they would have crew lists etc.

What an Interesting thread, I started my career at Sea as a Junior Engineer after I completed my Apprenticeship as a Fitter & Turner in a shipyard, although this was in 1990 the Junior Engineer rank was generally from lads who had completed there Apprentice ship ashore in a shipyard or similar and went straight in the Merchant Navy as Junior Engineer. The only thing they need to do was learn the running of the engine room as they already were Tradesman so knew how to use tools ext. Looking at the date of The Letter from the General Register and Record office of Shipping and Seaman I would guess he had not been at Sea long unless he had been a cadet ? The Address on the bottom is The Bungalow, Hightown , Nr Liverpool, this is now Formby but Hightown still exists ......... Altacar Rifle ranges are there. POW's were normally held in any nearest available camp until processed.

My kind of medicine cabinet, When I lived in Cumbria, my Doctor always said take plenty of fluids...........

Thanks to all and must apologise for the late reply, been a busy last few months with work etc, also had the pleasure of two weeks in BATUS......with very limited comms too. The Volume 3 book looks to be very interesting.

As said better to say nothing , the only get out clause is when we leave the EU, as mentioned, how long this window is open before it gets re written who knows, but anyone thinking of selling then wait, there will be folk in long line with wads of cash, for those who have invested a lot of money and I know a few its the ideal time.

Cheers, watched it last night through catch up on sky, quite an eye opener when you think how accurate the GPS is.

What was the programme ? I finally watched the rest of the Tank build, excellent programme and think the drive from the start of the battle beats the original plan hands down.

I've only managed to watch part on catchup tv, but was impressed with what I've seen so far, I would say its far more fitting to take it back to where it was used rather than built, to be fair to Guy Martin he does have an engineering background, so not just a TV personality as for Fred, same meat different gravy. Seeing the modern process of cutting etc is something I've been looking at for a very future project I'd like to do, I'm just looking for plans etc for the project. Looking forward to getting home and watching the rest.......

Did anyone attend the auction today, as it seems they went for £73,160.00 ?