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British Bikes / Re: 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by ramwing7 on October 01, 2026, 11:16:51 PM »Nope, but I have one ordered.
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British Bikes / Re: 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by R on October 01, 2026, 10:46:19 PM »You don't have the old studs to work off ?
A thread gauge is near indispensable for this.
What happens when you try these sizes ?
They nearly have to be bsw or bsc in 1/4".
Some marques (in the 1920s) were famous for 'developing' their own sizes.
Douglas for example used some 27 tpi.
But that was more the 1920s.
A thread gauge is near indispensable for this.
What happens when you try these sizes ?
They nearly have to be bsw or bsc in 1/4".
Some marques (in the 1920s) were famous for 'developing' their own sizes.
Douglas for example used some 27 tpi.
But that was more the 1920s.
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British Bikes / 1932 Coventry eagle Silent supreme
« Last post by ramwing7 on October 01, 2026, 09:22:57 PM »Does anyone know the stud size for the carburetor studs on a 1932 Coventry Eagle Silent Supreme with the proprietary Coventry engine?
Mine are in pretty nasty shape.
I've tried to replace with a 1/4" x 26 tpi BSC on one end and 1/4" x 20 tpi on the other and that's a no go.
This thing is going to be a bear to revive.
Mine are in pretty nasty shape.
I've tried to replace with a 1/4" x 26 tpi BSC on one end and 1/4" x 20 tpi on the other and that's a no go.
This thing is going to be a bear to revive.
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British Bikes / Re: Watercooled Lewis for auction.
« Last post by cardan on October 01, 2026, 12:19:35 AM »Sorry R, the quote comes from the auction listing, and sorry again but the "no" was meant to indicate agreement with your comment! Clumsy...
My 1909 Lewis has the radiator in front of the fuel tank, but it's big and boxy and since the engine is only little (370cc-ish) it works ok. I've been on rallies with the WA bike (a 500) and I recall it was boiling a lot! Not sure if this was a design fault due to the small front area of the radiator, or whether it wasn't quite running well.
I'd be proud to own it, but have a shed full of Australian-made bikes already!
Leon
My 1909 Lewis has the radiator in front of the fuel tank, but it's big and boxy and since the engine is only little (370cc-ish) it works ok. I've been on rallies with the WA bike (a 500) and I recall it was boiling a lot! Not sure if this was a design fault due to the small front area of the radiator, or whether it wasn't quite running well.
I'd be proud to own it, but have a shed full of Australian-made bikes already!
Leon
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British Bikes / Re: Watercooled Lewis for auction.
« Last post by R on September 30, 2026, 09:31:07 PM »No, it's not an "Australian copy of FEB Bakers Precision Motor"
I don't think I suggested this, did I ?
I've read that if you bought 20 or more, they could cast whatever name you wanted on the crankcase and timing chain cover..
Interesting detail, thanks
If this had come up 20+ years ago, would have been really keen.
Having a warm tank between your knees.
And a carb that iced up on frosty morns ...?
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British Bikes / Re: Watercooled Lewis for auction.
« Last post by cardan on September 30, 2026, 06:46:27 AM »No, it's not an "Australian copy of FEB Bakers Precision Motor" but a motor built by F.E. Baker for Lewis. The motors were not branded Precision (they usually has Lewis cast into the crankcase, and were usually stamped "Made in England" - a posible clue), and the cylinders (even the air cooled ones) were different from those used by Precision: presumably this was a way of Lewis getting around the fact the A.G. Healing in Melbourne were the Australia-wide agents for Precision engines. The Lewis motors were shipped directly to Lewis in Adelaide.
Nice bike.
Leon
Edit: Should have added: the cycle parts (lugs, wheel hubs, forks, pedalling gear, brakes...) are British Chater Lea. Frames were brazed up and enameled at Lewis; plating was also done in house. The tanks were made my a local Adelaide tinsmith called Memmler. On this model, the whole affair where the tank usually goes comprises a water tank and radiator at the front, and the fuel tank is beneath the saddle. This necessitated a British B&B carb with a really long body to get the float bowl low enough so that the fuel could run into it. I've not seen this carb elsewhere, so like the engine it might have been a special build for Lewis.
Nice bike.
Leon
Edit: Should have added: the cycle parts (lugs, wheel hubs, forks, pedalling gear, brakes...) are British Chater Lea. Frames were brazed up and enameled at Lewis; plating was also done in house. The tanks were made my a local Adelaide tinsmith called Memmler. On this model, the whole affair where the tank usually goes comprises a water tank and radiator at the front, and the fuel tank is beneath the saddle. This necessitated a British B&B carb with a really long body to get the float bowl low enough so that the fuel could run into it. I've not seen this carb elsewhere, so like the engine it might have been a special build for Lewis.
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British Bikes / Watercooled Lewis for auction.
« Last post by R on September 28, 2026, 10:26:45 AM »In Perth, estimate A$15000 - $18000
OK, so its got a UK engine - labelled as Lewis.
And I don't know how much is aussie content...
https://online.doningtonauctions.com.au/lot-details/index/catalog/402/lot/81742/c-1913-Lewis-500cc-Single-Location-Perth
OK, so its got a UK engine - labelled as Lewis.
And I don't know how much is aussie content...
https://online.doningtonauctions.com.au/lot-details/index/catalog/402/lot/81742/c-1913-Lewis-500cc-Single-Location-Perth
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Identify these bikes! / Re: Albion HCN gearbox 3 gears + reverse
« Last post by R on September 28, 2026, 07:59:51 AM »AI has this to say -
The Albion HJR is the classic and well-known vintage mid-1930s middle-weight Albion gearbox featuring 3 forward speeds
and 1 reverse gear, commonly used in motorized three-wheel delivery carriers, light agricultural auto-trucks, and cyclecars.
I think I've seen one in a light car at a show someplace
Hence the reverse gear
If you pay them enough, someone is sure to take it off your hands !!
The Albion HJR is the classic and well-known vintage mid-1930s middle-weight Albion gearbox featuring 3 forward speeds
and 1 reverse gear, commonly used in motorized three-wheel delivery carriers, light agricultural auto-trucks, and cyclecars.
I think I've seen one in a light car at a show someplace
Hence the reverse gear
If you pay them enough, someone is sure to take it off your hands !!
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Identify these bikes! / Re: Albion HCN gearbox 3 gears + reverse
« Last post by 33d6 on September 28, 2026, 07:08:34 AM »I don't know of any motorcycle factory that ever fitted that type of three speed and reverse gearbox as standard. They may have done it as a one-off as a special order but not as a regular catalogue machine. Usually they were found in some sort of industrial machinery. Used in all sorts of applications in warehouses, freight depots and the like in pre forklift days. Albion adapted them out of the more usual four speed box.
I've no idea of the value but I can't see it attracting many buyers except as spares for a regular H series four speed box.
Albion kept making these up to at least the 1950's so probably not as old as you would think.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
I've no idea of the value but I can't see it attracting many buyers except as spares for a regular H series four speed box.
Albion kept making these up to at least the 1950's so probably not as old as you would think.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
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Identify these bikes! / Albion HCN gearbox 3 gears + reverse
« Last post by Albion EJ on September 27, 2026, 07:41:03 PM »Hello can someone tell me where this one was used?
And what is roughly the value of such a complete gearbox?
I am located in the Netherlands so if someone is interested….
And what is roughly the value of such a complete gearbox?
I am located in the Netherlands so if someone is interested….