AJS model D needs a sidecar ?

[Karsten]

Hi,
My name is Karsten and I live in northern Germany.
I drive a very long time a AJS Model D from 1919, which I have also restored itself (see photos).
Just as long as I've been looking for a sidecar for this bike.
I do not seek the great original AJS-sidecar.
Seeking a smaller lighter sidecar with a plywood body (see photos).
Maybe someone has a tip for me here ??

Thanks and Greetings
Karsten

[murdo]

Very nice AJS.

[Karsten]

Moin Moin from the Baltic See,
I was very lucky and found a sidecar.
Well then not the actually wanted light sidecar,
but for the original one belongs to my motorcycle
and as you can see in a fantastic original condition!
But now I have a problem:
My bike is fully restored and shines .....
That's why I would have to ask a few now.
How can I improve the original paint (Nitrocellulose?) on the sidecar?
How can I patinate my motorcycle?
I miss the connections on the motorcycle (see photo). Does anyone still have these?
Can someone take pictures of it, so that I can copy these?

Many thanks and reguads
Karsten

[R]

Very nice.

Can you still get cellulose paint in your part of the world.
Its still common in Britain ( and very common in India !!).
A light mist spray would restore the black-n-shiny look.
If its not overdone, its what any owner would have had done to keep it 'well kept'.

Cellulose also easily polishes up to a high shine, have you tried a patch - somewhere discrete ?
Remembering that it will then be very difficult to paint that area with any residue of polish left...

Can't help with the fittings, but there are still firms that specialise in sidecars ?
An engineering shop could soon fabricate up those fittings ?

[cardan]

Hi Karsten,

That's quite a sidecar - just perfect.

I wonder if the paint is from the AJS factory, or if it has been repainted at some time. If it's the original paint, I'd just clean and polish it, and have fun with the conversation that starts when people ask why the sidecar doesn't match the bike.

If it's not the original paint, I'd still leave it as it is, but I wouldn't be disappointed if you decided to repaint it.

These days there are many, many shiny things that are fake. If you have something that is genuine, enjoy it and tell people that yours (at least) is real.

I don't like fake patination - I'm sick of "barn find" board track racers and "racing" cyclecars.

Cheers

Leon

[R]

I wonder if the paint is from the AJS factory,

If its from the AJS factory, then it would almost certainly would have been enameled.

Cellulose was considered a cheaper finish back then, and most bike makers were proud of their enameling prowess - "three coats of best enamel" was in many a brochure ?
(AMC reputedly bought Sunbeams in the 1930s purely to get the secret of their beautiful enamelling process ?)

If it is enamel, then a wipeover with linseed oil will often restore the sparkle, AND make it waterproof  (linseed oil was a component of many an enamel back then).

'Patina' is all very well these days, but looking shabby/going rusty was not too popular back then,
its a modern thung..

[Karsten]

Hi,
Thank you for your answers!
The paint work is definitely the original one.
It has not been repainted anywhere, not even on the frame
(See more photos)
Thanks also for the reference to enamel paint.
The motorcycle is from 1919, the sidecar should be 1922-1923.
I have the original brochure for the 1919er Combination.
There is nothing to paint the sidecar and I was not
got the idea to look at the bike, because I was always from
Nitro paint went out.
But now I have looked:" 4 coats finest black enamel ......"
(See Foto)
The sidecar was painted on metal and on wood.
When I look at it that way, it almost looks as if they have painted the frame and fender differently than for the body?
The biggest damage I would like to repair something and the paint should shine too ??
The sidecar should be so original, but the difference to the bike, I would like to reduce.

Thanks and regards
Karsten

[Karsten]

Ohh I forgot that:

Can't help with the fittings, but there are still firms that specialise in sidecars ?
An engineering shop could soon fabricate up those fittings ?

I would be able to make the fittings myself.
I have lathe and milling machine.
But a photo of the fittings would be very helpful for me then
can also make reasonably true to original.

Regards Karsten

[murdo]

I would try the polishing and see what result you get, but if not satisfactory then a full repaint to match the bike would be better. In the end it is your bike to decide what to do.

[iansoady]

Just don't apply cellulose over the enamel unless you really want a crackle finish......

[murdo]

Yep, done that when an apprentice.

[Karsten]

Don't worry, before I know exactly what kind of paint it is now and how I work it then, I do not waste any weight on it.
No oil, no wax, no polish .....

Thanks and Greetings
Karsten

[Karsten]

Moin,
I have now made new sidecar-fittings.
The sidecar is already on the bike.
Track and fall are already correct.
A few more details, then it should be the next weekend
give the first test drive.

Before Travemünde, a dolphin was spotted.
Greetings from the hot Baltic Sea
Karsten