Rootes75

Some very nice work, I particularly like the smithy skills on show.

The repair sections look good to me, sometimes 'original' doesn't always mean the right way, in this case I agree a modern reinforcement is the right way to go.

Fascinating vehicle.

That is a shame, but at least the collection isnt being sold off. Any ideas where the collection is being moved to?

There are two marks on the starting pulley, and two on the block. Tdc is marked on the block but with the radiator in place you cant see that, so at 90 degrees to that is another white line. The pulley has two marks at 90 degrees to each other that correspond. When tdc is attained all the marks will line up, obviously set like that they can only line up in that position. We turned her over with number 1 plug out on the compression stroke and when the piston was at the top of the stroke we noted the timing marks, they all lined up. Then we took the dizzy cap off and noted that the rotor arm at that point was under the HT of number 1 plug.

We didn't try that Richard, but we are heading down again in the next couple days so will try that.

Looking very good, beautiful bikes.

Well, this morning we tried the Commer and she wouldn't start at all, fired a couple of brief moments but nothing more. So, back to basics. We reset the timing, she was a fraction out. We re-checked all the HT leads were connected in the dizzy. Then we checked the plugs for a spark, it was there but not very good. We then checked the contacts for a spark, it was awful and not consistent. So we cleaned and reset the points and cleaned all of the plugs. We then checked for a spark and it was much much stronger. But, trying to start her again there was absolutely nothing, she didn't fire once. We checked the carb and there is plenty of fuel getting in there, so much so that she kept flooding. We are left scratching our heads again.

Excellent work, looks very good.

I wonder if they will enter it again or maybe give it some time to see if things pick up a bit.

Looking good as always with a coat of paint on it.

Think you have a point there, or two. Online auctions are ok but with a vehicle actually seeing it I think is really important. Interest in vehicles from the 70s onwards has really picked up, I do agree its an age thing. You go for something you remember as a kid etc. I would say though as an owner of pre-war cars that their prices are actually going upwards in most cases. Even starter classics like Morris 8's, Austin 10's and the like all seem to be heading upwards a little.

Wow, did you get it?

Each time it goes into the auction it seems to go down in price at the hammer.

Bottom end of its estimate.

Looks good, always looks nice when you get some paint coats on.

The original carb removed yesterday for a clean up.

A brief update, the Commer starts fine now with the new starter ring fitted but we are still having a lot of problems with her running. She will only start on full choke, that's even when warm. Then she will tick over with the choke pushed back in but as soon as you give her some throttle she back fires a couple times and the engine dies. We have checked the timing again and that is fine, the air retard on the distributor is also working. We have tried her with the original carb and a brand new carb and we have the same result. Our thinking at the moment is that we have an air leak somewhere so a vacuum test may be the next move.

I think that looks great, the detail is very good.

Looking good to me!

That's a very nice bike, in such original condition.

From my previous research the Militia at the top is a reference to them being in the service before the war, I have been advised that in this case it was with the ATC. I have found the AIR 78 record at the National Archives.

This is a copy of the card:

I am researching my Fathers Uncle, he served in the RAF during the second World War. I have a photo of him in his RAF uniform, I have a copy of his index card on AIR78. The one thing I am stumped on is an abbreviation on the bottom of his card, it is 'PSH'? I have had a Google and found some very useful sites that contain listed abbreviations but none show 'PSH', does anyone have any ideas?

Very smart work.