welbike

Graham, I replied to your message, Cheers, Lex

Yes, I was going to look for it, but you found it! Have unfortunatly no more pictures of the tools, we did this in the good old USA! Lex

The bushes are in fact used to set endfloat, and there is a special tool to be made to replace/adjust them, and while you're at it, also replace the felt washers inbetween them! (you will get more oil to the Big-end) you will need a special tool for that too, there is a very informatiuve video on Youtube where we learned all this, I did this process to several rockerboxes 2 years ago. Lex PS be carefull, the nuts are very tight sometimes!!!

OK, but the one I restored in Holland is not on there, but I don't know the details anymore, except it came from north west France. I can investigate, but will take time, same for pictures, must have some non digital ones. Lex

I actually don't know, but suspect AMC themselves, Norton BSA and RE had Lucas parts, but that came from a universal prewar system, they are stamped with Lucas, and a date code, albeit very faint. Lex

I have an old cylinder, that I use for knocking the fins off of, and then grind the pieces to size and MIG weld them just on the edges, still holding out after all these years, but the damage wasn't so severe as on Steve's barrel, I don't think it affects the cooling much, as the OHV design runs a lot cooler than a sidevalve. Cheers, Lex

Nice! I will add it to my database. It was suggested by someone here that the the T8 numbers were made by Enfield, but only a picture of a frame with Enfield transfers on it, and a number starting with T8 to back it up. The more numbers and details we can accumulate, the more of a pattern we can see, might take years, but I have done so succesfully with Welbikes. Cheers, Lex

Very nice! Lex

Yes, they had to loose weight!! and a lot of it too! Lex

G3L, has less fins on the top l/h side, and the pipe pushes in, so it's not that, but what and why, I don't know, is it not G80? larger bore, but same bolt pattern. Cheers, Lex

Getting along nicely Steve! The paint on the throttle looks to be postwar deep bronze green, so must have been from a rebuild, don't think these parts were painted from the factory. Lex

OK, Richard, I will check! no worries, Lex

Ok, fair enough, there is a difference in workshops and sales locations ofcourse. Thanks, Lex

Ok, the frame number is indeed listed as that in the Key Cards, it had C456435 as the C number, and the last users were the 1st Foresters, it was struck off at 26-06-1963 So if it were rebuilt, between 1944 and 1948 it would have had another C number, one that started with 14. so I personally think, the guy who wrote up the info for the Key Cards, noted down some casting number? Spare frames, came without any number..... Wasn't ASH, Ashchurch? just going from memory here, so could be wrong. Cheers, Lex

Well, I cannot possibly read the rebuild plate, but I will see what the ERM number was according to the frame number. Oops, the ERM number is in the description, will have a look. Lex

Ha, Ron, but it's just a lowly M20, not a pukka 16H! and only 250 miles ridden, a red herring for sure, because all the problems will start after 500 miles! Cheers, Lex

Yes, really needs a restoration, the hinge in the rear mudguard is also not original, but as a plus, looks like a Norton Big 4 saddle on it, that I would be very interested in! Toolbox is the very nice early one, I wonder what the framenumber on it is? Cheers, Lex

Vokes filters were pioneered by Norton, already in 1937! but the War Office wasn't really interested, until the North Africa and Far east campains got underway, but by the time the contracts were made for Vokes and Talflow fitted bikes, and the bikes were produced the war was almost over! More can be read here: Air Cleaners (wdnorton.nl) But don't agree to all what Rob writes. Below first contract 1938 Norton Big 4, with Vokes. Lex PS, still have a couple of Vokes and Talflows for sale.

Oh, crap! the 2 clampy bits were on Ebay last week, I forgot about them, but they have sold now. Sorry, Lex

Well I just don't know anymore, but post to the UK can still take 1-2 months 😭 And I used the cheapest way, to send it, just to see what would happen! Lex

OK, but also a barrel to Tom I thought? Too many people restoring G3's! it's like a new trending thing or something like that, I almost took mine out for a spin today, but got a Welbike running instead. No Vokes elbow in yet? Lex af051464-fa52-49f1-9def-753cfa8a23c4.mov

Well it's just ithat I sent out a head and a barrel to 2 different people in the UK last year, but I cannot remember what to who! Lex

Steve the rollers are 1/4"x 6mm. wide, if you use 1/4 x 1/4, there's no side clearance. Someone with a magnetic plate grinder will take the required material off in no time. The barrel on the right is the G3WO one, but do you have the right head? (or did I sell you one?) Lex

Thanks! yes, all the parts are there but I had to fabricate the winch handle, see previous page for that, but now someone in the US is making reproductions! Lex

No, not so common, only about 4000 made, but still due to it's smallness quite a few survivors, but most of them never saw action, the last ones built, were sold as war surpus in 1946 in the US. So on to the steering handles, had several spare ones, and chose the best ones, and blasted and painted them, only to find out I forgot to straighten them! so did it afterwards, paint not damaged too much. Also straightened the seat supports, they are a bit fragile, and always bent, especially when the big hook of the winch is attached to the seat, and then the winch cable rolled up too tight! More small stuff blasted. Then the ballast boxes, had them powder coated, about ten years ago, after some welding, but this was alread going rusty a bit, so some sandblasting, and sanding, and a special clear 2 pack primer was used to get good adhesion, and the next day a final coat of O.D. now only to make one more inspection cover! Seems early models had 2 covers, and late 3 ? Here the left one, still have to fit the covers. Beginning to look like something now! Fitted steering tillers, was some modifications done to them, but is all OK now, but cannot get them adjusted evenly, the left goes about 3/4" more forward then the right, we'll see if this is a problem later. Lex