Re: Frame, Engine and Contract Numbers
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:44 am
Alan,
Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I'm afraid that I can't supply any useful photos for the purpose of identification as the bike came to me in large chunks as Steve, who I bought it off, had limited storage space so partially dismantled the bike to fit it into the available space. When I started the restoration I dismantled the bike completely to work my way through the various components that needed work and at present I have a rolling chassis but devoid of engine, gearbox and tinware.
Your comment about updating did strike a chord though. One of the first jobs was on the girder forks, which needed replacement spindles and re-bushing, together with replacement headstock bearings. As I stripped and cleaned the fork blades it was clear that there had been a significant repair made to the right hand rear fork tube. The repair looked professional and well executed and I'd no hesitation in re-fitting the forks on the bike.
The repair indicates that the bike was damaged at some point in it's history and as the fork retained its army green and overpainted black It suggests that it was damaged in army service and repaired accordingly, which could also explain why it had later contract parts fitted. I've attached a couple of photos of the repair which might be of interest.
Jim Haydock
Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I'm afraid that I can't supply any useful photos for the purpose of identification as the bike came to me in large chunks as Steve, who I bought it off, had limited storage space so partially dismantled the bike to fit it into the available space. When I started the restoration I dismantled the bike completely to work my way through the various components that needed work and at present I have a rolling chassis but devoid of engine, gearbox and tinware.
Your comment about updating did strike a chord though. One of the first jobs was on the girder forks, which needed replacement spindles and re-bushing, together with replacement headstock bearings. As I stripped and cleaned the fork blades it was clear that there had been a significant repair made to the right hand rear fork tube. The repair looked professional and well executed and I'd no hesitation in re-fitting the forks on the bike.
The repair indicates that the bike was damaged at some point in it's history and as the fork retained its army green and overpainted black It suggests that it was damaged in army service and repaired accordingly, which could also explain why it had later contract parts fitted. I've attached a couple of photos of the repair which might be of interest.
Jim Haydock