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British Bikes / Re: need help villiersengine
« on: December 11, 2018, 06:55:21 AM »
Is this subject stll locked ?
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British Bikes / Re: bsa lightning
« on: December 03, 2018, 10:02:26 PM »how does one know if its working correctly
Engines are a number of 'systems', so each system has to be working - hopefully each at its best.
Spark plugs are a vital link in the chain - have you checked the plug gaps. ?
Reducing the plug gaps down is always a 1st step if you suspect that the spark is weak.
If this improves things, you know its (probably) in this area...
Determining the voltage of those coils might be useful to know too.
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British Bikes / Re: Nut Sizes
« on: December 03, 2018, 09:41:46 PM »
Hang on to that set of whitworth sockets !
You'll need them.....
1/2" W is actually quite a large nut.
The next size up/down should fit it ?
As mentioned, BS (British Standard) sockets and spanners will fit, although they are branded as one size different to W sizes.
So 3/8W is also 7/16 BS, for example.
Someone hasn't bodged it with the wrong nut, have they ?
You'll need them.....
1/2" W is actually quite a large nut.
The next size up/down should fit it ?
As mentioned, BS (British Standard) sockets and spanners will fit, although they are branded as one size different to W sizes.
So 3/8W is also 7/16 BS, for example.
Someone hasn't bodged it with the wrong nut, have they ?
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British Bikes / Re: Reworked old motorcycle frame .
« on: December 01, 2018, 09:54:48 PM »
Check if the wheelnuts are metric or imperial - that will give a clue as to origin.
The rear wheel sprocket on the right might be a giveaway - if the wheel is in the correct way.
Looks like quite a lot added to it - for competition perhaps ?
The rear wheel sprocket on the right might be a giveaway - if the wheel is in the correct way.
Looks like quite a lot added to it - for competition perhaps ?
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British Bikes / Re: Polychromatic/Shell blue.
« on: November 24, 2018, 10:17:09 AM »
Its also worth commenting that lots of things used poly blue, over quite some years.
Also beats me why everyone else seems more organised than motorcycle enthusiasts,
when did you last see something as clearcut as this...
And note the changes of color along the way.
Also beats me why everyone else seems more organised than motorcycle enthusiasts,
when did you last see something as clearcut as this...
And note the changes of color along the way.
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British Bikes / Re: Polychromatic/Shell blue.
« on: November 22, 2018, 10:40:37 PM »
You could always ask RS if the paint they supply is a match for that color ?
I've seen it mentioned though that they are somewhat expensive for what you get.
A local supplier could be better ?
And some Triumph dealers (for older bikes) used to be able to supply Amaranth Red in cans ready mixed,
maybe that blue similarly ?
I've seen it mentioned though that they are somewhat expensive for what you get.
A local supplier could be better ?
And some Triumph dealers (for older bikes) used to be able to supply Amaranth Red in cans ready mixed,
maybe that blue similarly ?
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British Bikes / Re: Polychromatic/Shell blue.
« on: November 22, 2018, 10:25:05 PM »
Indeed, Enfields were one of the earlier users of polychromatic paints amongst motorcycle makers,
they had a polychromatic green tank prewar, and it was described as such in the brochure,
and a range of such greys and reds and greens and blues through the late 40s and then 1950s.
Sunbeam had a poly grey on some of those big 2 cyl ohc gentlemans tourers in the late 1940s.
Triumph had their 'silver sheen' for 1950, and then various blues and greys, and it spread like wildfire after that.
Bicycle makers were huge users too, once they cottoned on to it.
Maybe, but AMC/Norton did some of their compy bikes in Candy Red in the 1960s, and the wording in the brochure was exactly that.
And there were also blues and greens too. Aimed at the US market obviously, you couldn't even buy them in Britain ?
Then the japanese makers got hold of it....
Cheers.
they had a polychromatic green tank prewar, and it was described as such in the brochure,
and a range of such greys and reds and greens and blues through the late 40s and then 1950s.
Sunbeam had a poly grey on some of those big 2 cyl ohc gentlemans tourers in the late 1940s.
Triumph had their 'silver sheen' for 1950, and then various blues and greys, and it spread like wildfire after that.
Bicycle makers were huge users too, once they cottoned on to it.
Candy apple was an American term back in the 1960s, no custom junk/go faster flames here at that time. mostly just brushing Belco.
Maybe, but AMC/Norton did some of their compy bikes in Candy Red in the 1960s, and the wording in the brochure was exactly that.
And there were also blues and greens too. Aimed at the US market obviously, you couldn't even buy them in Britain ?
Then the japanese makers got hold of it....
Cheers.
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British Bikes / Re: 1974 model T100R tank colours.
« on: November 21, 2018, 10:25:23 PM »
Its possible to get the formula to mix up older type paints - but the accounts above are (partly) right,
the ingredients to do it like that are no longer available. !!
Under their old names - according to the old formulas.
They can start from scratch, and try to get modern ingredients to get a good match.
Including having these computer color scans to try to get the ingredient mix right.
The skill of the operator plays no small part in this, aren't there said to be so many possible shades these
days that every vehicle on the planet could be a (slightly) different color.
the ingredients to do it like that are no longer available. !!
Under their old names - according to the old formulas.
They can start from scratch, and try to get modern ingredients to get a good match.
Including having these computer color scans to try to get the ingredient mix right.
The skill of the operator plays no small part in this, aren't there said to be so many possible shades these
days that every vehicle on the planet could be a (slightly) different color.
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British Bikes / Re: Polychromatic/Shell blue.
« on: November 21, 2018, 10:02:44 PM »
A silver base coat with a transparent color top coat is generally called a candy apple.
Folks these days will tell you thats how they were done, but the poly blues and greens I've seen
and sprayed were a single coat enamel, with powdered aluminium/glass in it.
(an early version of 'metallic' paint, but so fine you can't see the individual particles)
The 'poly' refers to that it looks different in different lights, and even what angle the sun is shining on it.
Yes the colors can vary, can by can even ?, and when I was looking for the pic above there were a variety of shades to choose from.
Triumph look to have quite a darker blue version in later years, and also just a solid color light blue.
So finding a good match for it may take some hunting around - or someone who can match paint by eye.
Folks these days will tell you thats how they were done, but the poly blues and greens I've seen
and sprayed were a single coat enamel, with powdered aluminium/glass in it.
(an early version of 'metallic' paint, but so fine you can't see the individual particles)
The 'poly' refers to that it looks different in different lights, and even what angle the sun is shining on it.
Yes the colors can vary, can by can even ?, and when I was looking for the pic above there were a variety of shades to choose from.
Triumph look to have quite a darker blue version in later years, and also just a solid color light blue.
So finding a good match for it may take some hunting around - or someone who can match paint by eye.
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British Bikes / Re: Polychromatic/Shell blue.
« on: November 21, 2018, 02:47:20 AM »I have a Triumph Tigress scooter. Im told its blue colour is either polychromatic blue,Im not sure of this as a spray can I bought is way too dark ( this is for sale btw)or shell blue.
Something like this one ?
Polychromatic blue comes in about as many shades as every other color does, even 'white' has about 60 million+++ shades. ?
Good paint shops usually have someone who can match colors by eye, a declining skill these days perhaps ?
Do you have a good sample to get a match from ?
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British Bikes / Re: 1974 model T100R tank colours.
« on: November 20, 2018, 08:49:44 PM »
Some paint suppliers have books of colour chips, select the one you like ?
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British Bikes / Re: T 100 490cc 1968
« on: November 08, 2018, 10:09:33 PM »
If you have the bottom of the forks cushioned with something soft on the ground (old towel etc),
you can usually push down on the whole bike and jump the forklegs up enough that the thread can be started.
This relies of course that the bike is no longer up on a hoist or milk crate, etc, or that the centrestand is tied off so it can't retract.
Having the bike tied off to something overhead may also be desirable, to prevent it tipping sideways and outta control.
I've also heard of folks using a tie-down ratchet strap, to pull the whole assembly up into the yokes.
It is also possible to make what that special tool may be - all you need is an old top fork nut thread ( cut off the hex), drill it and fit a length of rod to it,
with some form of handle, so it can be screwed into the tube and used to pull them up.
Bumping or ratcheting the tubes up seems easier, unless it doesn't work...
you can usually push down on the whole bike and jump the forklegs up enough that the thread can be started.
This relies of course that the bike is no longer up on a hoist or milk crate, etc, or that the centrestand is tied off so it can't retract.
Having the bike tied off to something overhead may also be desirable, to prevent it tipping sideways and outta control.
I've also heard of folks using a tie-down ratchet strap, to pull the whole assembly up into the yokes.
It is also possible to make what that special tool may be - all you need is an old top fork nut thread ( cut off the hex), drill it and fit a length of rod to it,
with some form of handle, so it can be screwed into the tube and used to pull them up.
Bumping or ratcheting the tubes up seems easier, unless it doesn't work...
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British Bikes / Re: More pics
« on: November 05, 2018, 04:35:11 AM »
These would have been better connected with the original thread ?
That pressing and welding underneath looks better than yer average remake.
Could be original Triumph... ?
That pressing and welding underneath looks better than yer average remake.
Could be original Triumph... ?
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British Bikes / Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
« on: November 05, 2018, 04:29:50 AM »
The 1st question, which is really incidental, is what did you pay for it ?
And the really important one is does it fit ??
A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush, as they say.....
Pressure testing (or leak testing) is probably wise before having it painted and striped.
Having first ensured it really does fit correctly.
And the really important one is does it fit ??
A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush, as they say.....
Pressure testing (or leak testing) is probably wise before having it painted and striped.
Having first ensured it really does fit correctly.
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Japanese Bikes / Re: Source of pannier keys?
« on: November 01, 2018, 06:57:29 PM »
You'd probably have to be on a Yam forum to find someone with the same panniers,
and even then you'd be lucky. ?
and even then you'd be lucky. ?