monty_stubble

Would one of you gentlemen be so kind as to photograph me your front engine mounting (with the engine in place). Thank you. MS

Next step ... engine.

it It’s for a number plate. Possibly an old mudguard ‘recycled’.

Here you are with three coats of spray lacquer.

Yes, I've been lacquering them as you speak. Seems to work well and tightens the sleeve on to the cable outer in the same way that dope tightens up linen.

Had a crack at replica fabric covered cables. Not exactly like an original but not far off. MS

Thats an interesting topic. When does a original become a replica? Both my frames and basic engines are original, most of the cycle parts are too. However much of my fittings are new. So many nuts and bolts are mangled after 77 years I decided to renew. Here's one of my boxes of bsf stuff. I tend to run each one through the lathe to remove the modern letters off the top. One was missing a chainguard so I made one. I've made the brake linkage. Had to renew the gearbox case. I'm re-wiring the bike with modern fabric covered vinyl wire. When is it no longer original but a replica?

I assume they left the factory painted. But certainly if they'd been anywhere near REME for a touch up-everything got sprayed, sometimes even the tyres. It's like bolts. Some restorers like to leave them silver, some paint them. Which is correct?

Got to say, I rather like red oxide.

I think this is from Villiers' 9D service book.

Interesting, thanks Ron. Both the James’ I’ve got have the spark plug on the right (going forward) The last time I was in Villiers Services (2017) they were rebuilding a 9D and that was the same. As you say it doesn’t make much difference. The gearbox outer casing was wrecked on this engine, so I had to fit what I could get, although it didn’t have any numbers on it. MS

It’s like playing “Where’s Jimmy?”.

Narrow.

Reassembly time....

You can alter the angle as the internal shape of the pedal allows this.

Here you go.

Finally finished it.

Rivets it is. They hold no fear for me! I have a WW2 Mk VI Cockle, made by Warwick Aviation and spent many happy hours re-riveting while my wife, bless her was contorted inside holding the dolly. Like being shut up in a drum she said ... seemed OK to me?

I went for repair instead of buying a new one in an effort to stay as original as possible. Question ... are all the mudguard stays riveted or are some blind headed bolts?

Hipster bike ... my beards not long enough or coiffured enough.

It's probably going to end up like Arial and Brough, making phenomenally expensive bespoke motorcycles. Even more likely is Norton, where people get ripped off. It's hard to see how a domestic motorcycle company could ever compete with the Chinese in terms of production. Look at the once proud name of AJS - maybe that's what they'll do. import cheap bikes and re-badge them.

Is this a wind up? http://www.thefamousjames.co.uk/

How long and how wide is that spring?

Won't be when I finish. 🙂 Just checking with a nut. I'll have to make a nut as I don't seem to have one the right size.

So far so good.