Although the deadline for LDR bookings is the 23rd Feb, all the accommodation is now booked up. A group of us has decamped to the nearby (500m) Cheviot Hotel which is now also booked up although there is one last double/twin room left which I have provisionally booked for AOMCC but have to confirm b...

I think that the 'swastica' was also a symbol used by the Buddhist religion, I have seen it often on the end of eaves tiles on Buddhist shrines in the far east. However, someone told me that it is the opposite way round to the Nazi version (but I have never actually checked), which in any case would...

I remember that Wali did a bit in Cheval a few years ago all about Lucas smoke theory including the need to return the harness to Lucas in order for it to be refilled with smoke after a short circuit... and other fun things about Lucas, but the best one I remember was that Joseph Lucas applied to pa...

I agree that the shallow front gaurd with a nacelle and full width front hub makes that bit of the bike 1956, I have only seen the left side of the bike but on the right side it should have the one gallon larger oil tank introduced for 1956 but the drain plug at the bottom was only added in 1957...s...

Hi Andrus I am with the rest of the pack on this, please do not restore this bike, they are getting rarer than a rare thing in this condition. Sure, replace a few bits and pieces but try to maintain the character. I know of a square four in Berlin which was found near you in Lithuania, it had been o...

I have now answered my own question as nobody else appeared to be able to so do. It is possible to fit the late top collar and stepped collets to a MkI but I am not going to do it right now instead I am just using the later valve guides with a chamfered top designed to take the oil away from the val...

Hi Brenton The KH was not a very popular machine, a fair few were sold but probably a lesser proprtion have survived than of VHs and certainly than of square fours. However, there appear to be pleny of KH engines hanging around but only of the iron head type. I have met autojumble stall holders almo...

The advantage of these 1954 non s/arm machines is that you get a nice traditional plodder in a rigid/tele rolling chassis ...but all with a decent side stand that actually works! Please do not 'restore' it.
Ben

I posed the same question to FTW (who do my magneto work) last year after my HS tank split and the petrol took all the paint of my mag, I can't remember the answer (so that is helpful I hear you say) but at least I know someone who does know the answer, FTW are on 0114 2336269, ask for Mick Hall.
Ben

Hi John
If you want better brakes for the lady in your life why not fit a QD rear wheel from a square four which has a bigger drum because, I suppose, it was designed to stop a heavier bike, I am just condsidering doing the same on my wife's 1949 Ansty link VCH project.
Ben