Restoration

Disassembly

Each bike is fully stripped and dismantled. Then sorted into spares/repairs & scrap.

Scrap

Usually the following steel parts are disposed for scrap metal if heavily corroded.

Drive Chain
Rear Shock Absorbers
Petol Tanks
Exhaust & Silencer
Seat Pan
Fastenings
Wiring Loom
Rims & Spokes
Handlebars

Assessment

Each frame has its vin/frame number catalogued and vehicle history records aquired from the Royal Logistics Museum Archive. This information sheds light on the bikes history. As to where it was based, who it served with and during which years it served with them.

The frame is sand blasted, assessed for corrosion, damages and straightness with a local fabricator. The oil resevoir is also inspected and pressure tested. Then the necessary repairs made. These can range from a good condition second hand frame (previously dry stored) needing only minor repairs. To a more corroded frame (stored outside) needing tubes to be replaced.

The extensiveness of the work required is reflected in the final price and communicated with the customer prior to commencing.

Once fabrication repairs have been completed, the frame is then sent out for powder coating.

Engine

The engine cases are made from Magnesium. A popular choice for engine cases in the 1970s. Advantages being lightweight, high thermal conductivity for dissipating heat, vibration dampening, castability and strength-to-weight. The disadavantage of them however, is they corrode and pit when in contact with water.

Thus each set of cases is inspected carefully for pitting and if necessary welded, before Cerakote painting and rebuild.

Each engine undergoes a full rebuild, carried out by motorcycle mechanics, oil ways checked, new gearbox bearings, crank bearings, seals, new piston in most instances, 1st oversize rebore & new piston rings. I also stock a limited number of NOS cylinder liners.

Generators rebuilt with Westcountry Windings.

http://www.westcountrywindings.co.uk/services.php

Carburettor

Carburettors are professionally aqua blasted and ultrasonic cleaned to a high standard with MB Engineering and Vapour Blasting, Malvern. Internal brass components are washed in brass solution and inspected for useability or replaced, choke plunger rubber tips replaced and steel parts zinc plated.

More in-depth information of the cleaning process can be found on their website.

https://www.mbengineering.uk/index.html

"All items that have been blasted will require thorough cleaning to remove any medium left over from blasting. Especially engine components and carburettors. Items are rinsed and blown off with air after blasted by ourselves. "

"We can offer in house Ultrasonic cleaning of components. From carburettors to cylinder heads.

Using a formulated detergent specifically cleaning carbs and distilled water in our 90ltr ultrasonic. Usually preferred method of cleaning carburettors before we then vapour blast the external of the housings. Vital step when renovating old carbs and removed those hard varnishes and debris. "

Wheels

Options available for rebuilding stainless steel wheels or using NOS steel wheels. This is reflected in the final price.

Rebuilding offers the option to go up a size on the front wheel, from standard 19" - Dunlop K70 road tyres. Up to the nowadays more commonly used 21" - standard modern off-road size. Which allows for a greater choice of tyres.

Fitted with new wheel bearings.