Problems, problems, problems

It's been a long time since I wrote a post (just looked and it's another case of over a year!) for various reasons, but the main one is not a lot has happened with the bike, particularly with regard to getting it running. The last post had a failed attempt to get the bike running with a 'new' carb, after that failed I gave in and took the bike to RCK Motorcycles in Sheffield after a recommendation from a friend.

This was way back in October 2016 and the 'deadline' was set for Eroica 2017 to have the bike running. For various reasons this didn't happen* and the bike is still with them but so far they have:

• obtained parts to rebuild the 'new' carb and adjusted it
• cleaned and tested the original ignition components
• set everything up and attempted to start it which gave good compression, a good ignition but also sent the spark plug into the bottom of the tank. Luckily there was no damage
• Helicoiled the head
• Designed, built and bench tested an electronic ignition system to hide behind the flywheel

We're getting much closer now and the plan is for me to make a small collar to hold the magnets for the ignition then we should be good to go. I'm just waiting for a sketch then I'll be on the lathe

*This post is in no way a complaint about RCK, the delays were not their fault and could not have been foreseen and I am continuing to use them for work on this bike and my Pan European




Obviously the bike wasn't running for Eroica but it was still needed for a display on the Elite stand so the bike was trailed back to my workshop and I started on the modifications needed. We were aiming to reproduce something that never actually existed, the classic version of the modern bottle storage crates used on motorbikes in the big tours.

Ally Fraser worked wonders on an old shipping crate, including reusing the old hardware and steel corners but putting dividers inside to stop the bottles rattling

Then it was down to me to put the Elite logo on the box, along with a 'number plate' for the front mudguard. I was also planning to make the centre stand that's always been missing from the bike having found pictures of another frame without the engine installed so I could see how things were meant to go together. Annoyingly, once I got everything out of the way I realised that the plate on the left side of the bike has been removed and rotated so I decided to leave that for another occasion as I was pushed for time. At some point the engine and gearbox with have to come out, both plates removed, the right hand side re-made and both reinstalled in my best approximation of the right position. Since that plate also mounts the footrests I had to cobble something together to get the left footpeg on so people could sit on it. I knocked a quick stand up so the bike was more stable and here is the bike on show:

The bike is now back at RCK and I'm really hopeful for an update this side of Christmas but I don't think this bike is ever meant to run!