Motorcycle General Discussion

[will hawkesParticipant @willhawkes78155]

as a reasonably new member it is interesting to me for a few reasons this bit as i have a collection of panther motorcycles all used regularly having just retired after 57 years working on bikes i have my opinions on what was rubbish when new and still is today ,my daily transport is a 1937 panther mod 85 or a recently got 1955 mod 65 as i am only 72 the day i hang up my boots is a long way off my doctor has his orders to keep me fit enough for my competion licence as i hope to keep racing untill at least 75 , some people think i am mad but having finished a new 40 x 30 workshop i now have to move in my collection of engineering machines and tools which include , pallas mill .colchester student , colchester master , elliot 10m shaper geo taylor mill,, elliot horizontal mill,. murad bormilathe ,. murad cadet.,,wolf valve refacer., pollard drill .,,.canning polishing lathe . atlas power hacksaw ..,plus a selection of grinders , drills , decent welders , all to set up to enjoy my retirement,then just sort out the 20 or so projects waiting to be sorted ,so please keep the forum going as it is as i find it has and will be of help to me , as for help if any members want information or help with old motorcycle related things you only have to ask except weds as i have a 1895 simson strickland quadruple expansion steam engine to maintain for the local musuem apoliges for going on a bit will from sunny norfolk

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by John Stevenson on 12/11/2015 21:42:56:

… my workshop was initially setup to work on racing motorcycles and later it progressed to more commercial avenues.

John, what sort of racing bikes did you work on? And what era? Got any pics of racing exotica to share?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Fowlers Fury on 14/11/2015 16:48:42:

> Michael Giiligan.

~ I'll excuse your derogatory comment about "grubby old things"

.

In my defence, I must point out that I was admitting a previous misconception on my part; founded on what I remembered seeing in the early 1960s, when old Panthers were probably least-loved.

[it was rather like when an area of fine Edwardian houses turns into 'bed-sit land' … and I am delighted to see both houses and Panthers being better appreciated]

MichaelG.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Posted by Hopper on 15/11/2015 04:03:25:

Posted by John Stevenson on 12/11/2015 21:42:56:

… my workshop was initially setup to work on racing motorcycles and later it progressed to more commercial avenues.

John, what sort of racing bikes did you work on? And what era? Got any pics of racing exotica to share?

Hopper,

I'll post later tonight, finishing the lights off in the Donald at the moment but the vast majority were the classics of the day, Manx's, 7R's, couple of NSU Sportsmax's and various others.

I have pics of later years 1980 onwards but in the earlier years I backed the wrong horse and took most pictures on transparencies as these were cheaper that paper but time wasn't good to them and they all got so bad they were thrown in the last house move.

Started off doing a bit of racing but was so useless at it I found I got more enjoyment out of making bits than lying in Louth General staring at the ceiling. I was a that frequent visitor I used to get Christmas cards off the nurses ! [ no joke ] St John Ambulance used to wheel me in and a big cry would go up "Here he is, the Horizontal Champ "

However I can recommend it as what with sliding down the track repeatedly and having the piss taken out of you, you do develop a very thick skin.

So more later.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> now have to move in my collection of engineering machines

Hi Will, that sounds like nice challenge…

Neil

[colin hawesParticipant @colinhawes85982]

When I sat on a friend's big panther on a slow tick-over it felt as though the piston stood still and the bike moved up and down! Colin

[John CoatesParticipant @johncoates48577]

Current stable is Honda XRV750 Africa Twin which takes me round Europe and the UK, Kawasaki ZX7R which is the reason I bought a lathe to make spacers for a ZX10R swingarm and ZX14 front end, and a Hongdu GY200

John

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by John Stevenson on 15/11/2015 12:15:00:

Posted by Hopper on 15/11/2015 04:03:25:

Posted by John Stevenson on 12/11/2015 21:42:56:

… my workshop was initially setup to work on racing motorcycles and later it progressed to more commercial avenues.

John, what sort of racing bikes did you work on? And what era? Got any pics of racing exotica to share?

Hopper,

I'll post later tonight, finishing the lights off in the Donald at the moment but the vast majority were the classics of the day, Manx's, 7R's, couple of NSU Sportsmax's and various others.

I have pics of later years 1980 onwards but in the earlier years I backed the wrong horse and took most pictures on transparencies as these were cheaper that paper but time wasn't good to them and they all got so bad they were thrown in the last house move.

Started off doing a bit of racing but was so useless at it I found I got more enjoyment out of making bits than lying in Louth General staring at the ceiling. I was a that frequent visitor I used to get Christmas cards off the nurses ! [ no joke ] St John Ambulance used to wheel me in and a big cry would go up "Here he is, the Horizontal Champ "

However I can recommend it as what with sliding down the track repeatedly and having the piss taken out of you, you do develop a very thick skin.

So more later.

LOL, there's worse things in life than being called the "Horizontal Champion" by a bunch of nurses.

Manxes and 7Rs, now those were the glory days of motorcycle racing.

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Before leaving the UK I had a friend who was a very keen road racer. Sadly he used to fall off a lot and always seemed to land on his head. His crew had specific instructions to NOT take him to the nearest hospital to Brands Hatch as he had had some bad experiences there. His preference was to go to the military hospital at Haslar, near Gosport. The staff there got so used to him and treating his head injuries, as well as other injuries, that as there was some doubt, they gave him a very official looking certificate certifying that he was actually sane!! The certificate was duly framed and took pride of place in his shop!!

cheers

Bill

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

The above post features my latest new toy. My air cooled monoshock trials bike project. 1989 Aprilia Climber rolling chassis and bodywork with a 96 Yamaha RXZ 135 air cooled 5 speed motor bored out to a current 142cc. Have about £200 into it on top of the £340 purchase price, and in excess of 100 hours work. Goes well now, especially after fitting Boyesen Dual Stage reeds and making a new exhaust system. Certainly more capable than the owner at trials, but its all good fun…

[Roger Williams 2Participant @rogerwilliams2]

Thaiguzzi, very nice job you've done there !.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Thank you RW. That £200 spent inc $32 for the Boyesen reeds, and £42 for some footrest bling from the UK, plus postage. The rest were the usual outstanding prices and value for money up here in NE Thailand.

Paint job, 8 x pieces of plastic inc fuel tank £50.

Seat recover £3.

New 420 chain, 132 links £4.

Set of 6 stickers, custom made with computer, next day turnaround £5.

steel tube material to make exhaust, inc 4 x 90 degree bends £4.

New fuel tap £3.

90 degree throttle c/w bearing for cable run, and nice grips £6.

Full gasket set £1.80.

Inner tubes £1.40 ea.

etc etc. Marvelous.

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

Should you intend to alter a tubular frame:

http://www.bsaotter.com/2015_news_page..html

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

For any straight line speed event members here is the latest 2016 meetings

Top Speed days and wheelie practice days all at Elvington

Tuesday 15th March

Tuesday 12th April

Tuesday 14th June

Tuesday 19th July

Tuesday 18th October

Other mid week dates may be added subject to demand

Records Events

14th 15th May Elvington National flying 1/4 Kilo and Mile

20th 21st August World Wheelie Event

17th 18th September Elvington provisional

BRITISH NATIONAL SPEED WEEK

A full seven days of Top Speed action at four venues for cars and bikes

using the Bonneville class structure we have classes for any bike or car all records broken or established will get a UK Timing Association Records certificate and an ACU one where applicable

We hope to be able to run a long course at Pembrey and Pendine and are aiming at over two miles

14th 15th May Elvington

16th May Day of Rest

17th 18th of May Pembrey Sands

19th May Pembrey Airport

20th Day of Rest

21st 22nd May Pendine Sands

Regs will be available in the new year as will costing but the more you do the better the deal will be, we will also have accommodation packages available in the area and workshop facilities for those mishaps and engine rebuilds

There will be entertainment throughout the week each night and there will be a prize giving and party on the final night

Spectator passes will be available as will the accommodation package

This is a first for the UK and has been a long time in the planning and with the uncertainty at Bonneville this event will be very popular with both UK and riders from abroad

[LathejackParticipant @lathejack]

Well I couldn't resist it, I had to buy this original low milage 1971 BSA 250 Victor Trail, it was a Christmas treat to myself.

It is one of the infamous Oil In Frame type machines, and is quite a contrast to the more traditional style and build of British bikes produced upto 1970, such as the 1969 BSA Starfire that I also bought last year, although the engines of both are just about the same.

A year or two after this bike was produced it was just about all over for the once mighty BSA Small Heath Factory.

Edited By Lathejack on 04/03/2016 20:42:42

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I was suppoosed to start at BSA as a graduate apprentice in sept '71. About August I got made redundant! Shame really, but I went into gas turbines, gas centrifuges and nuclear power so a pretty interesting life all round. Now I play with silly little steam engines as SWMBO won't let me have a bike!

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

I forgot there was a dedicated forum topic for motorcycles. Here are a couple of pictures of a couple of my bikes.

1927 Humber 350 Side By Side Valve Sports Model (my description would be somewhat different because sports is definitely not the word for it.

The next picture is of my Velocette that I have recently just fitted a Thruxton head and Mikuni Carburettor.

I make bits and pieces for bikes and also am in process of restoring a 1929 350 OHC Humber as well as a 1928 OHV 350 Humber and a couple of 3509 Side valve Humbers.

Here is a link to me test running a 1933 Sunbeam engine after a total rebuild.

Here are some links to video footage of me making a few bits and pieces for bikes.

I will post occasionally with progress. Current project is to make 3 sets of fork spindle for girder forks.

[Involute CurveParticipant @involutecurve]

The next picture is of my Velocette that I have recently just fitted a Thruxton head and Mikuni Carburettor.

Hiya Bob, what was it originally Venom? and where did you get the head from?

Nice bike

Shaun

Edited By Involute Curve on 05/03/2016 08:59:49

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Shaun, yes it was originally a Venom. I got it from the previous owner who had bought it because it looked so good but rapidly became disgruntled by the amount of oil leaks that the bike had. He had previously owned a Thruxton and wanted to bring back memories. Shortly after he had it the Alton Electric start failed and that coupled with the oil leaks made him decide to get rid of it.

The day after I bought it the magneto failed and I fitted a BTH self generating magneto to it. I stripped the engine down as far as the top of the crankshaft and rebuilt it paying careful attention to getting the engine oil tight, I was successful with this and the engine is oil tight. The clutch was an absolute pain so I decided to fit one of Thurstons belt drive conversions to it, this solved the clutch problems (I think it had been made up of all sorts of odd bits from various Velocette clutches and no matter what you did it was impossible to adjust properly).

About the time I bought the belt drive conversion I thought that it didn't look right with the small carburettor on it and decided to splash out on a Thruxton head from a batch that Kevin Thurston was getting made.

Because the bike was running so well when I got the new head I decided to keep it running for a season then fit the new head along with the Mikuni 34mm (I think it is 34MM) carburettor.

The bike starts easily on the kick start with the new head but sometimes, just to show off I start it on the button.

[Involute CurveParticipant @involutecurve]

I have a Venom, its in original condition so I'm undecided if I should restore it, one of the things I have done is fit a Mikuni carb, If I decide to restore it I will probably fit a belt drive, but Ill make my own basket etc, I think Thursdon use R1 clutch plates, acording to its history mine had the complete clutch replaced just before I bought it, but its still a pain to adjust, Did you repair the Alton lecky foot or replace it?

Shaun

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Shaun,

I repaired the Electric starter myself. All that had happened was that the pinion on the starter motor itself had shredded its soft resin core that was supposed to act as a kind of shock absorber. It was a common fault with the Alton Starters when they first came out.and replacements use a different resin Te previous owner had ordered one from Alton but it took forever to arrive but was an easy fix.

I do like the alternator that comes with this kit, it has lots of spare electricity, however ,I hear lots of folk complaining about the Alton starter kits self destructing. I think this may well be down to poor material choices or even incorrect fitting. I know with my starter the chain was rubbing against one of the spacer plates that houses the outrigger bearings for the sprocket and pinion. I ended up removing material from the plate and it seems OK now. The glass fibre cover that replaces the original is an absolute joke, it just doesn't fit properly at all but fortunately with the full fairing fitted this is not obvious.

One Velo owner near me has had his destruct twice and the last time it resulted in a bent crankshaft, needless to say he doesn't think much of them.

The owner prior to the one I bought this bike from wired the system up and didn't include an ignition switch so I disconnect the battery every time I put the bike away otherwise it drains the battery slowly. I did have, in very wet weather, the starter suddenly came on while I was riding the bike, the noise awoke me from my reverie somewhat sharply. (Typically I was on my way to get it MOT'd), no matter what I did I couldn't get it to switch off so I had to disconnect the battery and continue to the MOT centre without a charging system. Once the bike dried out and I re-connected the battery it was fine.

[will hawkesParticipant @willhawkes78155]

hi folks i have been looking at fitting a electric starter to one of my big overbored panthers ,i have a selection of 725cc engines that i have built and sorted out any problems in solo and sidecar forms , the starter will be for when i am getting over a major rebuild of my left leg due soon ,then it will be back to the kickstart,as i reckon that the day i cannot start a big panther without help some one up there is telling me its time to retire from riding , seems a long way off as at only 72 i will continue building and racing vintage bikes and if the acu keep giving a competition licence, for as long as i can at least till 2022 with luck cheers will

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Regarding A.C.U. competition licence a local lad http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/32961758 gives hope for us young at heart brigade.

Myself I will require an A.C.U. licence if my latest long term project is a success but even passing the D.V.L.A eye test is no guarantee for me as their rules are stricter according to my optician.

At least I have permission to test ride at a couple of venues providing I'm legal to drive on the road.

a bit tatty but brings back pleasant memories at an unknown venue and Zandvoort

 

 

Edited By Windy on 07/03/2016 15:17:50

Edited By Windy on 07/03/2016 15:20:23

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

Me on the Gilera, Geoff Duke brought them back to the TT, I think it was Derek Minter and John Hartel that raced them that year.

The sound of those bikes up on the Cam was music to my young ears.

Mike.

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