classic motorcycle forum

The Jawas I've encountered seem to be very well built and reliable, and the people I know who ride them enjoy them.

I love the early 1930s TT bikes (designed by Patchett I recall), and post-war I think it would be hard to categorise the banana-frame motocrossers, the ISDT bikes, or the speedway bikes as "Commie-era crap". All in all, a very successful and interesting marque.

Cheers

Leon

Its a 250cc F/4 Matchless engine.

Mmm... I'm not so sure. The JAP and the Matchless are similar, but the flat-on-the-bottom rocker box and the exhaust pipe angle look more JAP than Matchless to me.

The simplest thing I can think of is that the bike started life as a 1930 250cc Rudge, which used a vertical JAP motor, but was modified later to give a "modern" sloping motor, rear set footrests, and high-level pipes. The George Dance rubber knee grips are also a nice touch.

A couple of survivors to contemplate, both with the correct W-code-for-1930 JAP 250 motor:
http://www.vintage-motorcycle.com/index.php?language=en&site=3&pid=14&id=387
https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0115-200458/1930-rudge-python-250-jap/

Unfortunately the 250 is not illustrated in the 1930 Rudge catalogue I have, but the image below is from the 1929 catalogue. JAP rockers were open in 1929.

Cheers

Leon

That's an interesting project Keith. When I started reading the story on your website I thought "I know where there are tanks to suit that frame" http://forum.arielownersmcc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4706 but I see you've already located them.

Are they original or did Ivor Mutton make them to suit the frame?

Re the forks: If the side profile is the same, I'd modify them to suit. I think this could be done fairly easily, and safely. Another option would be to fit a set of lightweight Druids - I notice a pair on one of the other early racers.

Re missing parts: They are around. A couple of years ago I was cleaning out a friend's shed, and amongst the stuff there was most of a V twin motor (425 I suppose), some 2-speed gear stuff, and the top and bottom of the glass oil tank. I also had a 60 degree open-magnet magneto for years - the one with the flat blade on the drive end to suit the engine where the magneto sits in line with the frame. It went to an Enfield enthusiast years ago, and the other parts went too. Sorry!

Good luck.

Leon

That plunger suspension was certainly available as an extra on any of the 1949 range out here in Oz

Yep - according to the 1948 catalogue you could have it fitted to any model as an option. Not often seen on a VB.

Leon

Hi Paul,

Looking good!

Yes I agree with John's comments.

Are the spokes in the front wheel OK? In the photos they look like they're been rusty. Be careful because they are pretty light gauge to begin with.

Cheers

Leon

Maybe it's a horn thing: threads on bulb horns are often large diameter, fine pitch, and whacky! But with FNs and  a Douglas in the shed, nothing surprises me. My favourite Douglas thread is 17/64-25tpi (although 3/16-27 is a close second), and the majority of threads on a veteran FN are imperial, and 2 tpi more than Whitworth, so 1/4-22, 5/16-20, 3/8-18 etc. Possibly my favourite FN thread is the 5/16-28 left and right combo on the turnbuckle that supports the magneto. None of these appear anywhere in compendiums of threads.

I suppose it was done to ensure that spare parts were purchased from the manufacturer.

By the way, weird American threads - labelled UN in R's post - are most often labelled UNS (unified special) these days.

Leon

Probably a 250 from the mid-1930s? http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/bsa-1935/BSA-1935-B18-250cc-AT-09.htm

Leon