Recent Posts

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 10
11
British Bikes / Re: Australian-made motorcycles in the 1950s - help please
« Last post by R on October 07, 2026, 12:06:55 AM »
Quote from: cardan on October 06, 2026, 10:39:14 AM

Worth repeating something from above: the frame is fully gas welded (no lugs) at the Malvern Star factory, which was a modern process for 1948.

Aye - my similar era Waratah 125cc is the same - all welded frame, no lugs.

Quite a substantial weld around the steering head too, no lug there either.
Without sandblasting it and studying it closely.

12
British Bikes / Re: Australian-made motorcycles in the 1950s - help please
« Last post by cardan on October 06, 2026, 10:39:14 AM »
Oh bummer. Why is the one you're looking for always missing? It's said that the bike was bought new for use in Rupanyup, but even though it's way out in the sticks you'd think it would have been registered when new. Maybe communication between Melbourne and Rupanyup was a bit flakey. Thanks for looking!

By the way, I missed the "S" at the start of the engine number - looking more closely I see it tangled up with the "No".

Yes, R, it would benefit from a wipe over. Or better still, an occasional spin around the car park. The Auto-byke is not much of a motorcycle, but this one is a very nice example. Worth repeating something from above: the frame is fully gas welded (no lugs) at the Malvern Star factory, which was a modern process for 1948.

Leon
13
British Bikes / Re: Australian-made motorcycles in the 1950s - help please
« Last post by 33d6 on October 06, 2026, 08:20:38 AM »
Interesting. S586/15553 and S586/15555 are listed, both first registered mid 1949 but no S586/15554. There are little gaps like this all throughout the list, remember that this is only the Victorian records. I've no idea how many were sold in other States.
14
British Bikes / Re: Australian-made motorcycles in the 1950s - help please
« Last post by R on October 05, 2026, 09:06:12 PM »
That bike could be greatly improved by dabbing on some phosphoric or citric acid ?.
And careful rinse off and then a light wipeover with linseed oil.
(gently removes the bulk of the rust, and puts a shine back in original paint)

Or even just a wipeover with an oily rag.
But that precludes any future gentle rust removal.

I know some folk like the rusty crusty look, but when it has sooo much potential as an original paint bike ...  ???
15
British Bikes / Re: 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by R on October 05, 2026, 09:01:04 PM »
Quote from: Rex on October 05, 2026, 09:23:33 AM
I don't suppose fasteners in such an odd-ball size are that common either..

I know its not quite the same thing, but the local Norton bolts supplier makes a small range of bolts etc in slightly oversize sizes,
to suit various Norton fasteners that are well known for causing such problems.
Particularly the 26tpi drain plugs into alloy castings, and the front fork stay bolts - also 26 tpi into alloy.

I've deployed a few of these, and they easily 'fix' such problems.  Very solidly and permanently
Note - may not be interchangeable with stock items
(But then neither are 9/32" )....
16
British Bikes / Re: 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by geoff.godwin on October 05, 2026, 04:59:32 PM »
Back in the day Namrick had some of them .Geoff
17
British Bikes / Re: 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by Rex on October 05, 2026, 09:23:33 AM »
Quote from: geoff.godwin on October 02, 2026, 05:06:49 PM
. the tricky bit is getting hold of good 9/32 taps and dies Geoff

I don't suppose fasteners in such an odd-ball size are that common either..
18
British Bikes / Re: Australian-made motorcycles in the 1950s - help please
« Last post by cardan on October 05, 2026, 06:52:21 AM »
I came across a very original Malvern Star Autocycle in the museum in Rupanyup [edit: not Pupanyup as I first typed], not far from Horsham in country Victoria. It originally belonged to the uncle of a chap at the museum.

33d6, is this one listed on the rego records? It's a 1948 model (8M frame number prefix) and the engine number is 586/15554. Interesting to see if the original rego was in Rupanyup!

Thanks

Leon
19
British Bikes / Re: 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by R on October 05, 2026, 12:02:48 AM »
Quote from: 33d6 on October 03, 2026, 06:18:45 AM
You may think it better to fit the alternative 250cc Villiers engine Cov Eagle used that year in the same machine.
Just a thought.

While this might be a 'simple' solution, it entails shock horror gasp FINDING another engine, and PAYING for another engine. !!
And also ditching the original engine. Shock horror gasp again, etc etc.

And if all ?  that is missing is a couple of manifold studs, then this sounds to be well in hand.
Maybe ?

Vintage motorcycle chaps are well known for being a stubborn tenacious lot, so look forward to progress reports.
Cheers !
20
British Bikes / Re: 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by 33d6 on October 03, 2026, 06:18:45 AM »
Why even bother to start unless you have basic trade skills to do the job. Elderly orphan two-strokes such as this are possibly the most awkward restoration prospects. Equivalent four-strokes are simple in comparison. As the necessary 1932 Owners Handbook and Spare Parts List is available for free on the New Zealand Barnstormers site I'd look through it very carefully before I started driving myself barmy with that engine. You may think it better to fit the alternative 250cc Villiers engine Cov Eagle used that year in the same machine.

Just a thought.
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 10