welbike Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Here's Arnauds replica, he used a normal style fixing clip thingy. Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 (edited) For good measure a factory shot of the engine of the Flea, I assume James had the same cap?? Lex Edited July 22, 2020 by welbike additional info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 Thanks Chaps.....il use one of them momentary until I source the correct one........just when you think you are nearly finished 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Hahaha, yes! But the devil is in the details! Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Yes mine are all like Lex's. At least two of them are Arnaud's replicas. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 Your correct Lex 🙂 So progress is edging forward with the ignition lead now fitted. The NOS front brake cable is now also fitted and I have now made the throttle cable. Would anyone happen to have a photo of how the decompression cable sits and fixes to the decompression body, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 It's straight forward Steve. You adjust the inner cable free length with the screw clamp. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 Thanks Ron! I just wanted to make sure I was not missing anything 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 Some more parts arrived today! I must say the sprocket is fantastic quality! I am really pleased with the tyres two! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 It’s been a little hectic with work last week but I managed to get a few hours on the James over the weekend! 😀 The wiring is now competed and most of the control cables laid.....the tank is now also fitted along with the seat frame. Its really starting to look like a bike....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Nearly there Steve.👍 During my own restorations of Welbike and ML, I also felt compelled to not paint over some of the nice brass/bronze/silver bits. But I revisited my ML and did it more or less to the book, which in the end I found far more gratifying. My Welbike is now next on the list, as I've collected far more information on how it should be presented. Starting with a complete colour change to "Dark Green" and no tank transfers. Sometimes "Less is more" 😇 Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Ironically if I painted the bike as it should be it would of taken me half the time to restore it as I wouldn’t of spent so much time cleaning and polishing the brass! 😬. My excuse is I was trying to save paint but in reality it’s because I love to see the raw material. Restoration always seam ongoing and ever evolving. I have saved some paint to paint the bling when I get bored 😉 P.S Fantastic Welbike Ron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 " in reality it’s because I love to see the raw material". Absolutely guilty as charged me lud! But I've been through therapy and rehabilitation a and I'm gradually overcoming the desire! I notice a MK2 Welbike in your pictures Steve. I either didn't know or have forgotten that you had one. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 Well spotted Ron! Yes I have owned the Welbike for a number of years now. As I understand, like many, it ended up going to America after the War, where it stayed for a number of years. I believe it came back into the UK approx. 10 years or so ago. It appears fairly original, a few battle scares but all part of the charm. I wonder how many Welbikes have survived? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) Well I think Lex has been keeping a register, maybe he can chip in with his findings. It's a fairly well know fact that because they weren't generally suitable for sale in the UK, that loads were bought by New York department store "Gimbles" and quite a few were procured by Masonic group "The Shriners" who had a thing about miniature vehicles for their parades and were Gloss painted and chromed which probably helped to save them. Ron Edited July 22, 2020 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 Yes it would be nice you know just how many Welbikes exist........those photos are great Ron! Do you know much history of your Welbike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matchlesswdg3 Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Well if any of you Wellbike owners want to complete your display, I have just what you need (and Ron would look great in this) ..... a Shriners hat! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Yes, I've had a couple of Shriners bikes, chromed and all! they do parades all over the US. Haven't counted the register for a while, will check but around 200, which is 5%? but only about 25/30% are MKI's I probably have yours in there Steve. but if you could email the numbers, I can update the list, have been keeping track of them for 30 or more years now, all confidential offcourse. Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 Thanks Ferg but I'll pass on the hat! I've never wanted to be involved with the UK Mason's let alone the madness of the US lot!! My early MK1 ended up in India from where it was repatriated by Peter Miller's son Richard. Richard lived about 3-4 miles from me and I bought it off him over 20 years ago for £2100 which included a BSA Parabike which he'd also found in India. Ron 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 I was never into the Mason's........I didn't think the antlers, apron, funny handshake, one trouser leg rolled up and carrying a half-brick suited me......... Think I'd be more suited to becoming a member of "Sons of the Desert"......after all, I'm regularly in trouble with the wife.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Nice Hat! Ron I like the rear carrier on your Welbike, makes the bike much more practical 😂 Lex, il drop you an email later with my Welbike numbers 👍 Freshly rebuild James wheels have now arrived......more updates to come..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 There's nothing practical about a Welbike........ But expect in India they had to have somewhere to carry a couple of crates of chickens. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Edging ever closer to the finish line now the newly built wheels are prepped and etched primed. Both front and rear hub/ brake plates are now prepped and primed. It was lovely to reveal the OD paint on each of the parts. this leads me on to a few questions:- 1. Can anyone tell me which valve caps should be fitted? 2. What thread sizes are the front and back wheel nuts? I need to replace them. 2. What ‘finish’ should the wooden gear knob be and how best can I replicate it. I was thinking black acrylic paint? Thanks in advance. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Steve. 1) From April 1941 all WD motorcycles were fitted with Schrader Dublchek valve caps. They are still made today I think and often spelt the English way. 2) Rear = 1/2" x 26tpi BSC. Front = 7/16" x 26. 3) Mine is black shiny same as my Flea. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted July 27, 2020 Author Share Posted July 27, 2020 Thanks Ron! Your good! Another coat of primer on the wheels tonight 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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