1939 XWD VH500 first startup

[alan.moore]

First of all I want to give thanks to all those members who have responded to my questions via the forum, and in person. Without your help I would have struggled to complete the restoration of my Grandpa's 1939 VH500 Red Hunter.

Just to recap...the bike was originally sold to a gentleman in Germany in August 1939. However, the clouds of war scuppered that transaction and two days after war was declared XG85** was despatched to the Ministry of Supply. It is not possible to determine where it saw service in those war years, but in 1944 it was 'demobbed' and registered as a civilian bike in Plymouth UK.

My Grandpa bought it for the princely sum of £5 in 1962, but in 1966, after a few years use,it was relegated to a shed. My dad started a superficial restoration in the late seventies but apart from a new coat of paint 'shed life' was all the old girl received.

My restoration began in late 2014 and has been a 'slow burn' affair. I was intent on doing everything myself...engine rebuild, gearbox, spraying, wheel building, electrics, carb, dynamo etc, in fact everything other than the crank rebuild, re-bore and the magneto.

Well today, 19th November 2018, I could find no overwhelming excuses for not attempting to start the old girl. The video that follows is the true first attempts at bringing this nearly 80 year old classic bike back to life.
Click on the YouTube text to look at it full screen

[Steven.Carter]

Well done Alan although I can't see your video. Could you post a link as my tablet says it "cant playthe plug in" whatever that means

[alan.moore]

Is that any better?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... 99fYaOApf8

[chris.shearwood]

Hi Alan,
Congratulations! The bike looks and sounds great. Was that some oil dripping?
Regards, Chris

[Steven.Carter]

Brilliant Alan, very well done. She sounds great. Even the dynamo works. I can see the light get brighter with the revs.

[Leejm]

I call that music to my ears! There's nonthing like the very first start up after a rebuild to let you know all your hard work was worth all the effort. Its very satisfying to hear the music.

[Brian_Walker]

Great day great job time for beer and nibbles!

[simon.holyfield]

I could listen to that all day. Looks great Alan!

[alan.moore]

Hi Alan,
Congratulations! The bike looks and sounds great. Was that some oil dripping?
Regards, Chris

Well spotted...I had the clutch dome off and oil from the primary was coming out of the bottom rear screw hole !!

[Eero.Korhonen]

Sounds great!
Br, Eero