Ruffgeezer Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Hope it's ok for me to put up a build thread for my RE here, she's based on the WW2 Flying Flea, but as far as I can tell she's a civvy version... Ok well this little lady has been hiding for a long time now, and recently with the completion of my own workshop, I decided to take on a small(!) project to fill it with, and with that in mind, Re was subsequently exhumed: She's in here somewhere: Ah, there she is! The first sight of her in full for probably 30 years: So yeah, that's her, in need of a lot of care and attention, I'd be happy to hear of any other Flea/125RE owners out there as I'm sure I'll need their advice along the way! I have since started stripping the front end down, and I'm compiling a required parts list, the top of which is a front wheel of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 As long as you have the hub, the rest is easy. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Can't see the saddle nose bracket (on the frame) but if vertical (not "banana" shaped) this is an ex-WD Flea.......... I note that it is still fitted with folding footrests and the Miller 7" lamp, all WD fittings, although in fairness some early civvy manufacture did still feature these to use up stock......... Any idea on the frame number ? (stamped on the headstock)......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffgeezer Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 I'll see if I can find the frame number tomorrow, I did find another wheel stored with the bike, but the hub is bigger than the original, so perhaps the rim could be re-spoken onto the original hub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Yes the post war Flea was upgraded from the wartime 4" front drum to a 5" drum. But still used the same WM0 rim. As Steve says you might have a Genuine WD Flea that has been upgraded for civy use and registered after demob in 1946. I was also looking for the front saddle mount, which should be this shape. It was extended from the pre war position to enable the tool box to fit under the saddle as the carb 'mace air filter' fitted to the WD bikes took up more space. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffgeezer Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 The frame number looks to be 11561, and the seat mount is shorter than the one pictured above. Today I've continued the strip down, and have found I'll need some replacement arms for the front end, there is some ovalling of the inner mounts unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Your frame number looks to be from the last 1000 that were cancelled by the War Office in 1945. It should therefore have that same saddle lug. Unless it was modified back to civy spec? Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesm_ndt Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffgeezer Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 Here is the seat mount now I've removed whatever it was that was covering the seat! And a just about legible frame number: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane.c Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Good luck with the restoration I like the flying flea I have always wanted one myself, so keep us up todate with pics and info, :thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Here is the seat mount now I've removed whatever it was that was covering the seat! [ATTACH=CONFIG]80048[/ATTACH] And a just about legible frame number: [ATTACH=CONFIG]80049[/ATTACH] That little leather strap with buckle just visible above the toolbox is a nice original part.......listed in the parts book to secure the wiring and cables.......worth preserving if you can.......I think the early civvy production, even if cancelled WD stock, did revert to the civvy frame even though some other parts remained "WD" (such as the foot-rests, headlight, kickstarter, etc)......other immediate changes included the carburetter reverting to the civvy pattern rather than the larger WD Villiers type........note that the WD carb assemblies are interchangeable between the James ML and Flea, BUT they do have a different needle between the models though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffgeezer Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 There are a couple of those straps still on the frame, today I've been working through the complete bodge up on the wiring side of things, I think I will end up making a complete new loom for the bike, as this one is a total disaster! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 LOOM?? I think that is a bit of an over statement Ha Ha! From memory there is one cable from the mag to the headlamp and one from the headlamp to the rear lamp. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 LOOM?? I think that is a bit of an over statement Ha Ha! From memory there is one cable from the mag to the headlamp and one from the headlamp to the rear lamp. Ron Lol !!! Correct as ever me old mate :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffgeezer Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 Yes, mine has the disadvantage of having several extra wires thrown in for good measure, I have the workshop manual so I'll rewire it all with modern cabling, but perhaps try and track down some original looking sleeving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Yes, mine has the disadvantage of having several extra wires thrown in for good measure, I have the workshop manual so I'll rewire it all with modern cabling, but perhaps try and track down some original looking sleeving. No sleeving necessary....loose cables only ! Seller on Ebay has a good repro of the original rubber-covered wiring cable........worth investing in.......:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffgeezer Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 Well sad to say there is little progress on this one, the engine appears to be scrap on several counts. The piston was seized at tdc, and has gotten tighter despite soaking in diesel for weeks,the barrel is broken around one of the studs, the kick start is missing and the teeth are worn, neither chain looks much cop, oh yes and the clutch appears to be borked. Whilst I still want to being her back from the brink, I fear the limiting factor will be having the funds to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesm_ndt Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 weird, I was just about to ask, how it was going....... if not in a mad hurry, you can take your time and accumulate pieces as you find them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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