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British Bikes / Re: Is a Sunbeam S8 capable of cruising at 57mph?
« on: January 23, 2019, 05:31:25 PM »
As I understand it the old "rear drive problems" ended when a) the bikes stopped being merely old nails and started to be maintained properly, and b) when better oils became available.
A charming old bike which always attracts people ready to chat. My mate's bike does more than 57mph but like so many 65 year olds, it's cruelty to expect longevity if you anticipate doing those speeds continuously.
A charming old bike which always attracts people ready to chat. My mate's bike does more than 57mph but like so many 65 year olds, it's cruelty to expect longevity if you anticipate doing those speeds continuously.
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British Bikes / Re: Battery drain
« on: January 22, 2019, 01:13:47 PM »
The usual way is to connect a DVM in series with the battery lead and sequentially connect/disconnect things to see where the fault lies.
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British Bikes / Re: Calthorpe Ivory
« on: January 19, 2019, 04:56:09 PM »
The most worrying scenario would be the DVLA search returning "No records" which indicates that it's never been registered with the DVLA, and they started doing that (issuing new style V5s) back in the late 1970s.
At least "untaxed" means it has a DVLA entry which means someone has been "looking after it" relatively recently.
Probably in a million bits in some old boy's garage, and he'll "restore that old bike one day"
At least "untaxed" means it has a DVLA entry which means someone has been "looking after it" relatively recently.
Probably in a million bits in some old boy's garage, and he'll "restore that old bike one day"
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European and Other Bikes / Re: 1929 Motobecane M2 JAP 250
« on: January 10, 2019, 08:31:23 PM »
Looking at the state of the ali and the frame tubes that one's been stored outside for decades, and then there's the original problem(s) that meant someone stopped running it and pinched half the gearbox..that'll need sorting too.
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European and Other Bikes / Re: 1929 Motobecane M2 JAP 250
« on: January 10, 2019, 03:52:16 PM »
Ah, New Year, new French bike thread. I knew something was missing... 
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British Bikes / Re: 1955 Matchless G9
« on: January 08, 2019, 09:38:57 AM »
"OHC" you sure?
There's a test of one in this month's Classic Motorcycle too.
There's a test of one in this month's Classic Motorcycle too.
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British Bikes / Re: 1955 Matchless G9
« on: January 07, 2019, 01:26:11 PM »
Nice bikes in my opinion. Some of later AMCs bikes look too staid but the G9 is all up together in my eyes. Long-term owners seem to love them anyway.
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British Bikes / Re: Oil
« on: January 01, 2019, 04:03:46 PM »
Use 20/50 for all those applications. It'll be just fine...
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British Bikes / Re: Wheel alignment
« on: December 29, 2018, 04:41:40 PM »
Good old Mk 1 eyeballs are good for this, and verified with another of those cheap lasers. Just aim the beam from the tips (centre-line) of the rear sprocket to see if it hits the c/l of the gearbox sprocket.
Many don't, usually down to people losing axle spacers or not correctly fitting bearings.
Many don't, usually down to people losing axle spacers or not correctly fitting bearings.
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British Bikes / Re: Wheel alignment
« on: December 28, 2018, 06:30:59 PM »
The front rim should be central between the fork legs, and the rear rim should be central to the frame spine. The front is easy to check with a steel rule but the rear would need the mudguard removing. If you have any doubts it would be worth spending some time dismantling to check properly.
Forget frame graduations as that's those clever Japs, and don't trust frame slot length or S/W clearances either.
As said, string or timber will do the job as will two cheap lasers, but you're going to struggle with an old bike if this sort of task is too taxing?
Forget frame graduations as that's those clever Japs, and don't trust frame slot length or S/W clearances either.
As said, string or timber will do the job as will two cheap lasers, but you're going to struggle with an old bike if this sort of task is too taxing?
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British Bikes / Re: ariel arrow/leader-mikuni vm26 jets/settings
« on: December 20, 2018, 03:33:54 PM »
I suppose then the easiest thing would be to ask on the Arrow forum what settings have been found to be acceptable?
Someone must have experimented to find those optimum settings if it's a common mod, and that seems to be the problem with things like Mikuni carbs, namely great when they're "dialled in" but worse than standard until that time.
Someone must have experimented to find those optimum settings if it's a common mod, and that seems to be the problem with things like Mikuni carbs, namely great when they're "dialled in" but worse than standard until that time.
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British Bikes / Re: but size for Centre tank- Exhaust downpipe diameter
« on: December 09, 2018, 03:36:26 PM »
350mm would be the diameter of the exhaust pipe on the QE2!
From a (very distant) memory, the nut is 5/16" UNF.
From a (very distant) memory, the nut is 5/16" UNF.
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European and Other Bikes / Re: Moyet et Goyon Starlett 125cc registration
« on: December 06, 2018, 11:55:48 AM »
The mentioned Guzzi didn't run then and doesn't run now. It's partially dismantled and the tyres (just as one failure point) are both perished and rock-hard, however due to it's age it's MoT exempt so the requirement for an MoT wouldn't have applied in this case anyway, but then it wouldn't in the M-G case either.
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European and Other Bikes / Re: Moyet et Goyon Starlett 125cc registration
« on: December 06, 2018, 09:39:55 AM »
If doesn't need to be MoT-able or even run to get a new V5C.
Earlier this year I applied for a V5C for my (very) non-running Guzzi. I had to supply a few pics to the Guzzi club who then provided the necessary dating certificate, then this plus a NOVA certificate (which I had to retrospectively apply for, but was issued with no problem) the V55/5 form, two forms of printed ID (bills etc) and the money were sent to the DVLA by a signed-for letter. Too much time and effort invested for the DVLA to then turn around and blame the Royal Mail when it gets lost in the DVLA's internal mayhem.
However, should you apply for the dating certificate from the all-powerful VMCC, expect more hoops and red-tape than the DVLA. Bloody expensive they are too...
Earlier this year I applied for a V5C for my (very) non-running Guzzi. I had to supply a few pics to the Guzzi club who then provided the necessary dating certificate, then this plus a NOVA certificate (which I had to retrospectively apply for, but was issued with no problem) the V55/5 form, two forms of printed ID (bills etc) and the money were sent to the DVLA by a signed-for letter. Too much time and effort invested for the DVLA to then turn around and blame the Royal Mail when it gets lost in the DVLA's internal mayhem.
However, should you apply for the dating certificate from the all-powerful VMCC, expect more hoops and red-tape than the DVLA. Bloody expensive they are too...