Hi,
Last week had the first experience of sitting on a Featherbed machine, for a considerable time to assess, build potential! It was a mid 1950s Wide-line with an Norton International engine, Amal Concentric carburettor, Norton gearbox as you would expect, John Tickle twin-leading shoe, rear Girling shocks,(all enclosed), Roadholder forks, straight bars, rear-sets, single-seat with Racer-hump, (with an extra-long, by 31/2 inches), Manx tank & a "Goldie" silencer! The Roadholders felt spongy, but then the bike was only moving a few inches, with me feathering the twin leading shoe, under the disapproving glance of the owner!
Apart from the large sculptured petrol tank, it was low & lean & small compared to my K75, like getting on a pony compared to getting on a horse, it felt around the size of a CB250j or perhaps a 400-4. I couldn't believe how close the cylinder-head & exposed valves were to the underside of the tank! I had almost forgotten, how lithe the original "modern" type British bikes where!
Unlike the Walruses, introduced in the mid to late 70s & through the 80s.
This bike is not concours', but ridden regularly on the road, I just felt saddened, that so many bikes like this end up in locked away in private collections or as museum pieces, when the beg to be ridden & ridden in the manner that they were intended!
Not sure about the weight, but it felt light, however, I could see & feel why the Slimline with waisted top-rails was brought in & how it could be a possible improvement on the original parallel top frame rails, of the Wide-line, the narrower girth allowing for increased rider comfort & control.
The seat was spartan, but the owner in his twilight years, told me, when on the move it feels comfortable to him! They built them tough in the 1930s, owners & bikes, the workmanship in the frame was exquisite, we didn't start the bike, as you cannot be too careful these days with who's snooping around & the torrential rain meant it stayed in the workshop, but maybe next Spring, he just may let me have a ride, or maybe I will have my own Feather-bed machine by then.
Although the gap in the frame looks huge when empty I noted how easily it was filled by the engine & gearbox, space is a funny thing to assess, when trying to imagine different installations being fitted.
Back to the drawing board I guess.
Cheers
JBW
