classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: Wardill on October 15, 2018, 04:59:58 PM

Title: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: Wardill on October 15, 2018, 04:59:58 PM
Hello all, quite some time back I came on here to ask about the Wardill motorcycle, built by my great grandfather during the 1920's I have since found out white a bit about the bike and have started to build a tribute using original parts.  I have also been quite side-tracked and decided to continue what my great grandfather started 91 years ago and re-launch the Wardill brand. we have built the Wardill4 it is based on the original motorcycle built by my great grandfather, but with all new parts.

Here is the bike in question its a prototype at the moment, but will be going into production in the new year, it will be hand made in the Uk (Wales). I hope you like it(http://wardillmotorcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180701_090109791_iOS.jpg)

you can find out more information on out website www.wardillmotorcycles.com (http://www.wardillmotorcycles.com)
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: Oggers on October 15, 2018, 08:10:13 PM
How utterly splendid.......Frighten me with a price.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: TGR90B on October 15, 2018, 08:29:25 PM
Yes, and some technical details please. The website didn't have much on it.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: Wardill on October 15, 2018, 08:53:43 PM
Thank you for your kind words, they will start at £11,500.

Our website is being updated gradually, but there is a specification page here;

http://wardillmotorcycles.com/the-wardill-4/the-wardill-4-specification (http://wardillmotorcycles.com/the-wardill-4/the-wardill-4-specification)


This is a prototype so some changes will be made for the production bike, notably the rake on the front forks.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: TGR90B on October 15, 2018, 09:17:18 PM
Thanks for that, not for me, but every success to your venture.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: mini-me on October 15, 2018, 09:17:28 PM
Limited market, limited taste, but good luck.

It'll appeal to the hipsters.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: Rex on October 15, 2018, 09:40:34 PM
At least it looks more "of a piece" than the Black Douglas. Does yours have FW hubs? The Black Douglas' do and  I think it looks duff. Old bikes had 1/2 width hubs which are more aesthetic in my view.


Salty money though...you can buy a lot of bike for that amount but I hope you do well.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: Wardill on October 15, 2018, 09:50:38 PM
Thanks all, its been an enjoyable journey so far and I have had so much encouragement from the people that have seen it.

My goal has been to build a motorcycle thats has the look and feel of a 1920's flat tanker, but with reliability of a modern bike.

It does have full width hubs, the hubs have been the hardest part to find, as we needed parts that are plentifull in supply, there are very few new bikes with front drums, so had to use what is available.


Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: murdo on October 15, 2018, 09:52:38 PM
Very nice, looks good. Chinese engine I'm guessing? Why 20" wheels? Surely some size easier to get tyres/rims for would help with pricing?
Good luck to you and I hope you do well with it.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: Wardill on October 15, 2018, 10:02:40 PM
Yes, its a Chinese engine, based on a Suzuki GN250 unit. the bike has been based on the bike originally built by my great grandfather, it had 26" beaded edge wheels, the 20" wheel and tyre has an overall height of 26"

this should take you to a link of the both bikes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bot6pIkgNBN/?taken-by=wardill_motorcycle_company (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bot6pIkgNBN/?taken-by=wardill_motorcycle_company)
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: iansoady on October 16, 2018, 10:03:27 AM
It does look pretty but is there a market at that price? I would have doubted it but then I never thought Vincent twins would fetch more than a couple of hundred quid.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: TGR90B on October 16, 2018, 10:14:32 AM
Almost a parallel to an oft. used sporting quote. "Form is temporary, class is permanent." It's no surprise that those who criticise Vincents and Broughs do not own one.
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: mini-me on October 16, 2018, 11:06:06 AM
But a lot of those who have had them , won't have another.

Should you pop in again one day I'll wear your ears out with tales about Broughs,Vincents and the defects of  both the bikes and their owners.

Both marques  seem to be owned by the watertight ducks arse  mob.  Vincent owners will rob their mothers for parts, every time I had stuff nicked from my stalls at Jumbles it would be Vincent parts 75% of the time.
I still remember how back in my youth I was robbed of 4 heavyweight Sturmey boxes by a Brough owner who was too tight to pay the asking price, well below the going rate because of my greeness, but not too tight to drive 150 miles of an evening to do it.

I'll also relate the tale of the  wealthy SS100 owner who I once arranged to meet on Chelsea bridge at the dog stall, 'why there?' he asked, 'because if you don't pay my effing bill  I am going to heave the effing thing  over the side into the Thames.'
 Like drawing teeth  getting paid by that guy, 8 months late.

Class is not defined by paying silly money for an obsolete machine.

When I learned to ride , 1963, my uncle who taught me was a total Vincent nut, along with his neighbour, who bought Vins for breaking, rule was, £40 for a twin, £5 for a Comet if it had good tyres, because they wanted the front heads.
Cheapest running twin I came across was £25, a bloke at the side of the road who had not realised how much fuel it would use and was pushing it home.
I suppose I have been mentally scarred by the experiences :o as I can't see the value of  them now either.

Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: TGR90B on October 16, 2018, 12:53:20 PM
You've got to put the right bait on your hook. ;D
Title: Re: Wardill Motorcycle Company
Post by: mini-me on October 16, 2018, 01:56:27 PM
Huh