classic motorcycle forum

Thinking back to the dim and distant past when I used to be interested in push-bikes and these bikes had cup-and-cone hubs, even the most cheap and nasty bike had lock-nuts on the cones, and there were spanners made especially thin to lock and adjust the cones.
Maybe the front legs have just been pulled in by some mug previous owner leaving the locknuts out?
I'd fit them front and rear if I were you.

Yes I've stopped contributing to ikba as it's descending into hysteria.

Shame...you're missing some world-class willy-waving over who has the most exotic holidays at the moment. I think it reached it's nadir some weeks back when some tw*t posted pics of his worn-out bike gloves...

Ah... and would this idling be on the side stand? Grandma's eggs etc, but do you realise that on the side stand when idling oil collects in the inlet camshaft well at the breather end, and is subsequently pushed out of the engine via the timed breather?

Nice bikes Klaudius!
I wonder who would have bought a Sunbeam in Cologne in 1932? It must have been horrendously expensive the last days of the Weimar Republic!

If they're that big you're lucky that they'll touch one-off rusty old bits.

The old truism with platers says that one grabrail would be eighty quid, two would be £110, three £140 and so on.
Far better (cheaper) to get a batch of work and get it done all together.
I use an excellent poweder-coaters in Southampton and last time I was there he showed us "chrome" powder-coated old wheel rims. Not concours standard obviously but a passable alternative to sh*tty Italian Raedeli quick-peel rims etc where a painted rim wouldn't do.

If it was a really good bike and you got it for the right price the other option would be to apply for an age-related number using the existing frame number. Despite what the Net may say it's actually straightforward enough.

Why not? - simply because the cost of restoring aforementioned pile of rust - even with Norton on the tank - would be far more than the end result is worth. If you are doing it for pure enjoyment alone, then that is a different matter. Personally, I would favour a resto, provided it is wipes it face at the end of it. So if you would be good enough to find me a "non-running, but basically complete and unmolested" Vincent for under a grand, I would be most obliged.....     

It's great if you can flog off a bike you've spent money on for what it cost (or more) but if bike restoration is your interest then not making a profit doesn't really come into it. You wouldn't expect to make a profit if you liked golf or playing in a band, would you?
That said, too many spend too much on Bantams and the like and can never hope to recoup much if sold. There must be a happy medium in there somewhere.
As for the Vin, if only you'd said you wanted one last week...