classic motorcycle forum

Its a bit hard to see how bad that rim is, but pitted steel rims are still a lot stronger than new alloy rims are,
and they survive well enough. Especially on a lightweight.

Rim probably needs sandblasting, so you can see exactly how much good steel is left.
Any holes right through the rim are probably beyond redemption, although I have seen someone mig up a few stray deep pits.
It really depends on how bad they are.

If the rim needs replacing, note especially the spacing and angle of drilling of the spoke holes.
That determines if a replacement will fit or not.
A lot of smaller trailbike rims will seemingly fit almost anything - note if they are 32, 36 or 40 spokes though !
hth.

Early 1920s Rudge.
A little less shiny than a new one though....

The difference between a Villiers with Ambassador numbers and Excelsior numbers is only in the numbers, so its not the end of the world !  It was probably what was to hand. Tank could be a bit trickier.

Build it, ride it and enjoy...

Variable wheelbase front suspension too....

Triumph riders used to strap up the front forks, so that if the front bolt/spring broke, the forks wouldn't fold under the bike.
Maybe this should take that precaution too ?

Googling for Courier C1 brings up the following words in a Bonhams auction.
Unfortunately, the auction detail doesn't seem to be available.

"The Courier first appeared in 1953 as the C2 with Excelsior's own 147cc engine,
For 1954 a direct-lighting C1 version joined the battery-electrics C2, ..."


Perhaps the 1954 models were different again ?

Sadly the VMCC doesn't appear to have any information about Excelsiors in their library.

That would be very surprising.
Excelsiors were quite a large manufacturer, for a number of years, with quite a wide range of models,
some of them quite innovative.
Have you contacted them ?

This advert is currently on fleabay, not a very helpful view though.
Any relation ?


Sheldons also has this, also a C2 for 1952

Chemical stripping often involves nothing more than a dunking in hot caustic.
(hot tubbing, same treatment as the iron engine blocks get).

With care, boiling caustic can be kept inside oil tanks if all the exits are sealed off.
Take care, of course.
If kept away from the paint, this can be saved.

Alloy should be kept well away from this treatment, it gets literally eaten.

Hitchcocks will have some parts for this,
http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/parts-books-online
The C doesn't seem to be covered yet.

Ebay also sometimes has these, as photocopies less expensive too, unless you want original,
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ROYAL-ENFIELD-1946-MODEL-C-350CC-S-V-SPARE-REPLACEMENT-PARTS-LIST-/121733545327

The little Pearsons and Pitmans Books of the Royal Enfield are also helpful.
The C isn't specifically covered ?, but generally helpful. Don't pay too much, prices vary widely.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Pearsons-Book-of-the-Royal-Enfield-/181486995260
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THE-BOOK-OF-THE-ROYAL-ENFIELD-HARDBACK-BY-W-C-HAYCRAFT-/201421380438
Info is not all in one source - they are not very complicated though, the manual is barely needed.
Figuring out what is Model C and what is Model CO when you see it for sale someplace can be trickier...

There are lot of these bikes around, when you check them out.
Find an owner near you, and ask where he got stuff. ?