1922 Blackburne

[dmb999]

Hi There,
This is my first post so please bear with me.
I'm hoping somebody might be able to tell me a little bit about the above motorcycle that I was left by my late father.
I know a little bit about the history and understand that it was used by a Mr Hemming, motorcycle dealer from Weston-Supermare, from new in 1922 until 1929. It was laid up until his widow auctioned it in 1978. It was bought by a Mr Harris of Ryde, Isle of Wight. It was then sold unfinished in 1980 to a Mr Ringer, Isle of Wight, who completed the restoration. My father exchanged an Austin Healey Sprite for the bike in 1986 and it has remained in our family since, based near Bradford.
Am I right in thinking that the engine is a 550cc (?) side valve with a 3 speed gear box ?
I'd love to hear from anyone who has encountered the bike (or any similar machine).
I'm also unsure whether or not to sell the bike or to keep it as a challenge and see if I can get it going again (it's stood for 9 years). I'm in my early forties and have only ridden relatively modern conventional bikes.
Regards,
Marcus

PS Having trouble attaching photo but can e-mail if requested.

[harry]

Hi marcus, what a lovely bike you have inherited your father must have been very pleased with his efforts.Did he use it in vintage club events ?.I feel sure he must have been a member it looks so good.I would definitely try to get it running,first check the magneto to see what the spark is like or if there is one! clean the slip ring some meths on a bit of rag poked down the collector where the ignition cable and the collector fit on the magneto.If you have a spark you will be lucky though the magneto may pack up in the future.Drain the old petrol from the tank and check the oil a straight grade oil  SAE 40 would be suitable.Tickle the carb.float chamber button so that the petrol flows through set the air lever so that it is pulled right back  a pump on the oil pump set the regulator to say thirty drops a minute and try to start the engine.When it fires gradually ease back the air lever and adjust the throttle to suit .If you can put some oil in the crank case it might be better to drain any old oin that is there and replace it with some fresh bearing in mind the old contaminated oil has been there for eight years.The thirty drops a minuteI mentioned could probably be reduced with experience if the machine smokes a lot the cut the oil a bit but it may smoke a lot when you restart it after eight years.Another point that comes to mind check the valves are opening and not stucki.If you joined the Vintage Motorcycle Club you are sure to meet members involved with flat tank machines ;also the Club does run training days for members with little or no experience of  these machines.If  I can be of any help email me at telford_ian@yahoo.com.Good luck sorry I have no experience of Blackburn machines but some experience of falt tankers.Harry.P :)S.check the plug or fit a new one!

[dmb999]

Many thanks Harry - will give it a try and report back !