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Identify these bikes! / Re: Great Uncle Ben's 1920's bike...any ideas?
« on: Today at 10:35:06 AM »Did Calthorpe supply engines to other makers ?
I don't think so.
Leon
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I don't think so.
Leon
2
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: Manx Norton
« on: Today at 05:04:54 AM »https://www.imuseum.im/search/collections/people/mnh-agent-1276374.html
https://www.iomtt.com/tt-database/events/races?meet_code=ALL&ride_id=1968
A long and successful career by the look of it. In addition to Norton he rode Velocette, Matchless, AJS, EMC, Yamaha, Villiers, Kawasaki, Coleshill Seeley, Aermacchi, and Goddard Bultaco at various TT or Manx Grand Prix events between 1956 and 1972. There should be no shortage of information out there.
Good luck.
Leon
3
Identify these bikes! / Re: Great Uncle Ben's 1920's bike...any ideas?
« on: Today at 01:06:10 AM »Maybe a customized New Hudson with Calthorpe engine ?
Which had to be canted slightly forward to fit in the frame?
My immediate thoughts on this bike were "Calthorpe", but when I looked at the model range I could make no sense of it. New Hudson (or similar) with Calthorpe motor is not a bad guess. The depression was a time for making do with what was about.
Cheers
Leon
4
Identify these bikes! / Re: Help identify Coventry Eagle, 1928 or 1929?
« on: August 03, 2018, 01:15:48 AM »The image in the post above comes from The Motor Cycle, 27 Oct 1927 - "First Special Show Number". I had a flip through the following week's issue (you guessed it - "Second Special Show Number") and there is another description of the Coventry Eagle range, which included "LAST YEAR'S MODEL" of the "FLYING 500". So it's likely that image of the 500 from the previous week shows it in 1927 trim, and re-iterates earlier comments about Cov Eagle offering last year's model while they were still available. Based on all this, it wouldn't surprise me if a 1928-numbered Coventry Eagle left the factory in later 1928 or early 1929 with a 1929 JAP motor.
Cheers
Leon
5
Identify these bikes! / Re: Help identify Coventry Eagle, 1928 or 1929?
« on: August 03, 2018, 12:51:41 AM »
Hi Michael,
Nice project.
We seem to talk about Coventry Eagles quite a lot here: use the search box at the top to have a look at older discussions. For example have a look at http://classicmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=5610 where we discussed 1928-29-30 models.
42529 as a Coventry Eagle frame number seems to be more 1928 than 1929, and your frame is of the earlier type with the gearbox mounted from the top, and bolt-on stays from the bottom of the gearbox plates to the lugs dangling down from the frame near the rear axle.
The 1928 models at the Olympia Show in October 1927 included a sports 350 to this spec. The attached illustration from The Motor Cycle shows the 500 - a bit different from your bike with curved front down tube and Brampton (?) fork. But note comments in earlier discussions about Cov Eagle - small firm with varying specification that depended on what old stuff was lying around the factory at the time.
Cheers
Leon
Nice project.
We seem to talk about Coventry Eagles quite a lot here: use the search box at the top to have a look at older discussions. For example have a look at http://classicmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=5610 where we discussed 1928-29-30 models.
42529 as a Coventry Eagle frame number seems to be more 1928 than 1929, and your frame is of the earlier type with the gearbox mounted from the top, and bolt-on stays from the bottom of the gearbox plates to the lugs dangling down from the frame near the rear axle.
The 1928 models at the Olympia Show in October 1927 included a sports 350 to this spec. The attached illustration from The Motor Cycle shows the 500 - a bit different from your bike with curved front down tube and Brampton (?) fork. But note comments in earlier discussions about Cov Eagle - small firm with varying specification that depended on what old stuff was lying around the factory at the time.
Cheers
Leon
6
British Bikes / Re: 1952 Norton ES2 spark plug
« on: July 19, 2018, 12:34:20 PM »In vintage times it was common practice to hide the spark plug in a deep hole away from the combustion chamber...
My favourite is the EW Douglas (350 side-valve twin) from the late 1920s - the plugs are well masked down a hole, and the ignition timing is a staggering 50 degrees BTDC!
Leon
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Identify these bikes! / Re: Any help with ID of this 1900's frame ?
« on: June 18, 2018, 01:22:56 PM »Metric measurements make sense, because the frame is French, from a 1904-5 Alcyon. This model was usually seen with a Buchet motor - it appears there was a lightweight version using a Swiss Zedel motor, but this used a slightly different central lug.
The black-and-white illustration shows the Alcyon-Buchet. I had trouble finding drawings or photos that showed the frame details to compare with the surviving frame, but I did find some photos of a "restored" Alcyon "racer", fitted with an OHV Buchet motor. I strongly suspect this machine is not what it pretends to be, and that the frame is the standard Alcyon frame with the lower tank rail removed to make room for the tall OHV engine. I could be wrong; perhaps it is real. Anyway, if you study the photos I think you'll find - lower tank rail detail apart - that the frame is the same as the one under discussion here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/amelien/599426892
https://www.flickr.com/photos/amelien/599117041
Cheers
Leon
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Identify these bikes! / Re: Any help with ID of this 1900's frame ?
« on: June 18, 2018, 12:34:57 AM »Yes it could be a small v-twin, or equally a single. I haven't looked at Sarolea, but I was thinking of Fafnir. Can you measure the width of the lugs that take the engine plates? Fafnir motors used very narrow lugs.
Against a continental id is that some of the frame lugs are quite heavy, particularly the one at the lower end of the steering head. European stuff was typically quite elegant. Brown Bros was a good thought, but I can't see the funny bottom bracket lug anywhere in the Brown range.
Cheers
Leon
9
British Bikes / Re: Coventry Eagle Silent Superb Fuel Tap
« on: June 16, 2018, 12:47:59 AM »Looks like the sliding tap is correct.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/9383961@N05/2829534285/in/album-72157607123448789/
Leon
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British Bikes / Re: Coventry Eagle Silent Superb Fuel Tap
« on: June 16, 2018, 12:27:40 AM »Here's an earlier discussion on the hexagON tap: http://classicmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=5335.msg22597#msg22597
A google search for "ewarts plunger tap" brings up lots of photos, like the one below.
Both tap types were widely used, and there are lots of variants, and lots of modern reproductions.
Cheers
Leon
11
British Bikes / Re: Coventry Eagle Silent Superb Fuel Tap
« on: June 15, 2018, 12:34:44 AM »Hi Mike,
A quick google shows most restored Cov Eagles of this type use a sliding push-pull (hexag-on) type tap, with a flat slide and cork seals in the body.
However I think I spy in some period photos and adverts an Ewarts-type push-pull tap - the one with the single-ended cylindrical slider with the cork seal attached.
If you want the bike to be very correct, perhaps contact the Cov Eagle marque specialist at the VMCC, or try John Hodson via https://www.coventryeaglemotorcycle.org.uk/index.html to get the real story.
In either case, instead of the tap screwing into the fitting, there is obviously a couple of brass pieces required to complement the tap: a top bit with a thread, and a bottom bit, to secure the tap in position.
Interesting detail - let us know if you come up with an illustration of the original.
Cheers
Leon
12
Identify these bikes! / Re: Any help with ID of this 1900's frame ?
« on: June 15, 2018, 12:07:30 AM »Oh very nice. Probably around 1904-1906, but not Werner, Peugeot, or indeed not one of the more common machines. The key identifying feature will be the one-piece lug that forms the rear engine mount and the pedal bracket. It doesn't ring any bells at the moment, but an excellent challenge!
Cheers
Leon
13
British Bikes / Re: Watney m/c
« on: June 12, 2018, 08:02:15 AM »
The rule of thumb is that the number of crosses should be less than the number of spokes divided by 9. Thus 4-cross is ok for 40-spoke wheels, possible for 36, but unstable for 32 or anything less.
If the wheel is asymmetric - different flange sizes or different offsets - the lacing pattern is sometimes different on each side.
If you follow the link in the post above to my spoke length calculator, you'll find suggestions there for how to deal with asymmetric wheels. Make the appropriate measurements, plug the numbers into the calculator, and it will tell you the spoke lengths required.
Have fun.
Leon
If the wheel is asymmetric - different flange sizes or different offsets - the lacing pattern is sometimes different on each side.
If you follow the link in the post above to my spoke length calculator, you'll find suggestions there for how to deal with asymmetric wheels. Make the appropriate measurements, plug the numbers into the calculator, and it will tell you the spoke lengths required.
Have fun.
Leon
14
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 03, 2018, 08:42:24 AM »Unfortunately the Show Edition of the Motor Cycle in 1938 has a description of the "redesigned" James range for 1939, but no illustrations. The description does, however, mention a few things relevant to our discussion. The new heavily valanced guards we've noticed, but another new feature was the one-piece guard to enclose both the primary chain and the drive chain to the Lucas dynamo, mounted behind the motor. I reckon you can see this in our machine. Also the front wheel stand is mentioned.
Here's a photo of another of the 1939 range, albeit with a smaller engine. https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/james-1939/James-1939c-150cc.htm
Most of the bikes in the 1939 range used the new single-tube loop frame, and the rather angular tank on the 150 gives me real confidence that we're looking at a 1939 250 James. I would imagine that there aren't too many survivors, but you never know.
Cheers
Leon
15
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 03, 2018, 07:56:36 AM »Ain't it all fun.
Yes, it is!
For the record, the last time I saw a Utility was in the early 1980s, in the hands of a chap called Fred Delfine (?), but that was a Utility-JAP. He lived up in the Dandenongs somewhere, and was burnt out in the bushfires. I don't know if that Utility survived, but I'm sure they're around, possibly not identified.
But back to Alex's dad's Villiers. Of course we're not guaranteed that it's in original condition in the photos, but some of the identifying points would be:
1. The heavily valanced front guard, and the heavily valanced front half of the rear guard
2. No rear axle stand visible, so it probably had a centre stand
3. The headlamp with ammeter and switch
4. The gear change gate up high on the tank, with a lever that looks straight-ish beyond the pivot
5. One-piece pressed steel tail-light and number-plate mount
6. Squarish-looking stuff under the saddle (battery/toolbox) where the round autolube tank goes on the vintage models
Anyway, I reckon most of this stuff adds up to late 1930s James, but I'm way short of an expert on such things. That tank has me a bit mystified - maybe they had some old ones to get rid of on the "colonial model"? I don't suppose Waratah bought a batch of bikes from James?
Cheers
Leon