classic motorcycle forum
Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: Neilg on September 03, 2019, 02:04:27 PM
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I have hjh super dragon with a 197cc Villiers engine all in very good solid condition ,most has not been on road the frame number suggests it is a 1954 with a square frame sections and was the 21st one built does anyone have any info on where there is another and is it worth spending money restoring it .it has only 10 miles on clock and looks it has not been used or registered .how do I get it registered it has frame number and engine number . Any help would be greatly appreciated
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HJH motorcycles made in Wales, a rare beast and well worth keeping.
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Interesting synopsis of the history of the marque here: http://www.bsaotter.com/hjh_motorcycles_made_in_wales..html
REgards, Mark
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Thanks mini-me and mark I have read the info but cannot find one that has been sold or collected
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I doubt you will, I have only seen one HJH and that was a moped I think.
Not exactly a mass produced bike,which makes yours all the more interesting.
They seem to have been well made and respected.
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The National Motorcycle Museum doesn't appear to have one on display but they do list an Instruction Manual, all models 1954-6 and a Sales Brochure for 1956 which are photocopies (I think) for sale. I seem to recall that Mike Worthington Williams in his Unearthed column in Old Bike Mart has featured the HJH, you could contact him on worthycomments@btconnect.com.
REgards, Mark
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If it has a genuine 10 miles on it then please LEAVE IT AS IT IS, " restoring" it will destroy its value 100%
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Thanks very much for your input,I have received the 2 photo copy brochures today and I have the super sports deluxe model ,it is finished in maroon and is all together and running however the petrol tank is still in raw metal from new and unpainted I would like to find out if it was all painted with chrome or alloy sides or all paint ,it appears to have not been in use which the person I got it off said this . The frame is maroon ,the side panels are maroon on one side black at the other ,the frame number is 54-21 which I am led to believe the year and number made ,can anyone help with any info on tank and panels ,should I restore it or leave it has it is . The exhaust is has new ,the chrome wheels are fantastic ,the seat is good and original,the engine alloy mag cover is still in a box packed with news paper from 1980 .bad bits are the tank in plain surface rust ,panels odd colours .the mudguards are un chromed but original and as new before chrome ,the tank badges need chrome but apart from this it’s great
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Thanks for your help mini-me
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Something like this? From Don Morley's Classic British Two-stroke Trials Bikes. The HJH Trials was a pretty interesting machine.
Leon
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Any chance of a picture ?
Threads come alive with pics...
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Reading Neil G's description of the bike I wonder whether it has been built from parts or is possibly a stalled older restoration? The mix of finishes on the parts doesn't sound like a bike that rolled off the production line in that state.
REgards, Mark
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It does sound a bit like that, doesn't it.
But it does say there someplace they were only in production 1954 to 1956,
and then closed suddenly.
This advert gives a bit of a clue ?
(https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/classics-h/images/HJH-1954-1118-p08.jpg)
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Reading Neil G's description of the bike I wonder whether it has been built from parts or is possibly a stalled older restoration? The mix of finishes on the parts doesn't sound like a bike that rolled off the production line in that state.
Sounds pretty plausible Mark. The link you provided above tells the story of the tax evasion and the subsequent penalty - the website says a friend paid the fine; Morley says he went to jail! I wonder if there were lots of parts left over when things came to a sudden halt.
Leon
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Hi all , it is a very interesting bike and I think holds a lot of secrets .i personally think it was made out of unused left over parts . The frame number and being square box shows it being one of the last produced before going too the round frames . I was told they only did the first 25 in square this being number 21 . The tank ,mudguards are all very very old but Un chromed not after market etc which again shows it was probably a unused bike ,however I was given a photo framed with the registration number shown on photo of otg27 but this does not mean it is this bike .i am new too these older bikes and have only come across it while buying a (dare I say it Honda cb160 ) which the person has had from new and is in great condition .For the record I have 21 cb400/4 ,and 5 other collectable bikes only the other English bike is a dommie 1961 deluxe reg 431 krt which stumbled again on, it is a 600cc and again I am not familiar with these . I am trying too get the largest collection of 400/4 together ,I don’t sell anything I just collect them . I have unfortunately stripped this hjh down but done nothing yet too it which took all of 1hr. I just wish 400/4 was this easy ,I will post some picture soon of all my collection soon .Just because I collect Honda’s please don’t give me a side step I will do best for this rare bike for the good of it not profit has I don’t need this
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A little update on my Hjh
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The rear end
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Sent in the tank,mudguards,knobs,kickstart etc for refurb and engine being just serviced and cleaned has its brand new Villiers in original box .The whole bike is original the only thing I am missing is the rubber foot treads that go on the steel treads at front Hope you all have a Happy New Year
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The running frame
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10 miles on it and you had it "REFURBED" ?????
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I wouldn’t trust the speedo reading on any bike of its age. I have no idea why speedo’s on lightweights back then had such a short and miserable life but I always regard it as a real plus if any of the Villiers powered beasties I favour still have any of the speedo gubbins remaining when I get them.
I don’t expect a speedo on anything pre 1937 as they weren’t a legal requirement but theoretically everything since should have one. (Auto cycles and equivalent nasties excepted).
And how many of us have had a speedo refurbished asking for it to be put back to zero at the same time. Particularly if the original speedo was missing.
The only speedo reading I trust is the mileage I’ve put on myself.
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The only speedo reading I trust is the mileage I’ve put on myself.
And even then I'd be a bit dubious !
I had a chronometric that was heading towards 9999
Imagine my surprise when it clicked back to 9000
And subsequently did the same again.
A perpetual less than 10,000 mile bike.
Its the bikes condition rather than mileage that would be the judge of originality.
They are only original once ....
I think we have been here before
https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/classics-h/images/HJH-1954-1118-p08.jpg (https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/classics-h/images/HJH-1954-1118-p08.jpg)
This pic is elusive to make display ...
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10 miles on it and you had it "REFURBED" ?????
another original bike flucked?.....but I doubt the 10 miles quoted was its original mileage.
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After a little more investigating the bike was retrieved from the factory when it closed I am told and was the last square framed machine before going to round metal framing . The bike is to go into my private collection and being probably the only deluxe super dragon around will sit in my front reception area so is to be made back to how it should have looked so pleasing for the wife to let have pride of place in her home (missis bucket) The bikes speedo shows .8 miles and is unrestored ,the engine has never had fuel in it nor has the tank .The mudguards, wheels ,suspension , sprockets , foot pegs ,brake levers /rods are totally has new and the lights switch’s again unused ,I also have a new original black pump that goes under tank . I personally am sure the bike has never been on the road but is totally brand new components from 1954 and it deserves to be put into colour and chrome and it will be here at Lindholme Lakes in Epworth if your passing and would like a look and hopefully in the summer months a little ride around my private estate .Happy New Year to you all and stay safe ps
Don’t care if I’ve devalued it , it won’t be worth the money I will have in it anyway