Ron Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 (edited) All quiet on the motorcycle page at the moment, but I feel A Velo MDD restoration project coming along. So in anticipation, here is mine that I restored some years ago and another one that I've recently acquired (civilianized). Both have matching frame and engine numbers. Ron Edited December 19, 2021 by Ron 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenkinov Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Great restoration project . Looks unoriginal ...curios what do you anticipate replacing ....can't see the horn..seat springs? Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 20, 2021 Author Share Posted December 20, 2021 (edited) Hi Jenk. There is another MDD out there ready for restoration which I'll be interested to follow. Just waiting for the owner to make a start. The black one of mine is all up and running and will go for repaint and fettling by a new owner at some point. (Horn is a Lucas and not the correct Clearhooters, the saddle springs are correct but chromed. Cheers Ron Edited December 20, 2021 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Hi All. So after the completion of my Matchless G3 panel tank restoration earlier in the year I said to myself ‘no more projects’. Having always wanted to get my hands a rare WD Velocette, when the opportunity of an original, mostly untouched MDD came up, I could not resist, here it is! Currently the bike sports a civilian livery and a few civilian modifications but in the main many of the parts are still original. Under the thick black paint most components bare the original WD finish, including the fuel tank, which I am itching to rub down to see if any numbers or insignias exist. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 20, 2021 Author Share Posted December 20, 2021 Good to see Steve, and don't forget, you can't work the census number out for these in the usual fashion by frame number sequence.😖 Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Thanks Ron! Work on the bike has already started in the hope of commissioning it back to running health, during the festive period! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 So I understand the Velo MDD had a Miller rear ‘pork pie’ tail light fitted. I have several parts to crate a nice one, however, how many connections should the light have at the back, 1 or 2? 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 21, 2021 Author Share Posted December 21, 2021 Only one according to the parts list illustration. No brake light back then. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 That's a nice Norton Doherty twistgrip on there, Steve. Presumably pre-war civvy as it's 7/8"...The colour underneath looks more like Olive Drab a than KG3...Could it have been a WD restoration taken back to black again at a time when WD bikes weren't fetching ? 1970s wiring colours by the look of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 It’s my understanding the bike was demobbed in 1946 and Road registered later that same year. I have taken a look over the bike and there are traces of KG3 this was apparent when I rubbed back the paint to reveal the frame number. The inner chain case is definitely lighter than the photo portrayals but there is a darker ‘olive drab’ finish over the KG3 in some places I have checked. Maybe a later service paint job? If only the bike could talk 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 21, 2021 Author Share Posted December 21, 2021 Steve I was in Armours today just for a visit and Christmas cheer. They mentioned you and I suggested they ask you about your front pipe. Now I look at your pictures again. I see it has the later MAF pipe. 1 3/4" reduced to 1 1/2". The MDD pipe is 1 3/4" throughout. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 On 12/21/2021 at 10:31 PM, Ron said: Steve I was in Armours today just for a visit and Christmas cheer. They mentioned you and I suggested they ask you about your front pipe. Now I look at your pictures again. I see it has the later MAF pipe. 1 3/4" reduced to 1 1/2". The MDD pipe is 1 3/4" throughout. Ron Thanks Ron. Do you know what I missed that completely. I best order a new front pipe too…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 I have been going through my stock pile of motorcycle parts and I have found what I believe to be the correct rear number plate. The bike came with a 1944 dated Lucas Dynamo, I am unsure if this was a REME mod or something later but I am now on the hunt for the correct Miller Dynamo. From literature and the parts list it’s appears the MDD was fitted with a miller ‘DVR’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 I have now managed to finish the last few little jobs before attempting to start up the bike. The carb has been stripped and cleaned and all control cables now made/fitted. After closer inspection the oil feed line had been modified with a stop tap fitted. I decided to strip the oil lines back, remove the tap and take the oil tank completely off so I could give it a good clean. After a few kicks, hey presto! I have gently started bringing up the engine to temperature at low revs, a few creaks and grones but that can be forgive after 35 years or rest! IMG_3967.MOV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 28, 2021 Author Share Posted December 28, 2021 Well done Steve. I had my black one up and running for it's new owner, who says it's very lively on the road. They are very light bikes. They are renown for wet sumping and I believe it was Veloce themselves who invented the anti sumping valve which they fitted as standard at some point after ours. My MAF came with one fitted and previous to that I fitted one to my MDD. (They screw into the bottom of the tank). Regards Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 Thanks Ron. I was surprised just how light the bike is. I and still in the process of rounding up the remainder of the drive chain components which I am missing, but itching to ride it! I may need to introduce an anti sumping value, I just had a ginormous crude tap fitted, it had to go! I am finding the bike starts with ease but it’s what I would call a slightly ‘noisy’ engine unlike some of the smother I have. I am unsure at this stage if this is ‘normal’ or if I need to inspect further. 🤔 Out of curiosity is there an MDD owners register? I am intrigued to know how many have survived? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted December 28, 2021 Author Share Posted December 28, 2021 Yes Colin Goodwin at VOC is the best guy to ask. I'll send you his email address. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Hi All. Firstly a Happy New Year to you all! I am intrigued to know what the original spark plug was recommended for this Velo and also what is the modern day equivalent? I am also unsure as to which spark plug cap is correct for this bike? I assume a Lodge type as found on the Flying Flea? All the best Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 Happy new year Steve. MAC's were originally fitted with KLG 831 (Mica insulation) and later (MAF) the KLG F70 (Corundite insulation) . These are the detachable type plugs. The ones you can take apart to clean. There was no plug cap on these, just a brass spade held with either a spring clip or knurled nut. As for modern plugs, I've used Champion for years (I don't like NGK). But I've reverted to Bosch in recent times. By research and trial and error, the standard spec that I've found the most suitable is:- SV's = Champion L86C and Bosch W8AC OHV's = Champion L82C and Bosch W7AC I buy all this stuff from Tim Green. https://www.gsparkplug.com/ignition?gclid=Cj0KCQiAlMCOBhCZARIsANLid6Yr2YNOlZiuMkJPv3mhGKreuyP_GCAqukrDKPGo1d2QyzGvOTPDAOkaApk5EALw_wcB Regards Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Thanks Ron. That’s really helpful indeed! After such good progress I encountered starting issues……after a few hours of felting I traces it back to some play in the points, it’s now runs much better and of course starts well again so I can now progress with some of the other outstanding jobs. I came across a bolt today at the top of the engine cases on the near side, marked ‘jet’ naively I have not a clue what it’s for? Steve IMG_4015.MOV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 It's what feeds oil to the cylinder. Ron 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Thanks Ron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfleasteve Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 So a bit of a head scratch moment. The rear number plate I have appeared to be correct but when lining it up to the rear mudguard it’s interfering with the stand clip? I’m missing something but not sure what it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 What's the overall height of it? I'll measure mine later. What does the top look like? Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 PS I just measured mine at about 9 1/2" top to bottom. It also seems to lay at a different angle to yours. ooow Matron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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