Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Twenties group
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Moto escape France
The first couple of nights I was the sole occupant of each campsite I stayed in. This is the municipal camping at St Fraimbault in Normandy. Both a peach of a campsite and village. |
Despite the campsite in Domme being fairly busy I was able to pitch up right by the river. |
Domme in the Dordogne. Stunning. |
Sunrise view from my tent in Domme. |
It wasn't great scenery all the way. |
Angers. |
Thursday, January 4, 2024
London floods of 1964
My father passed away recently and in going through his effects I came across this image of a BSA Bantam. It looks like the bike is a Post Office BSA Bantam, at best guess the year is 1964 as this roughly corresponds to when he was living in London and there was flooding in South East London nearby where he was living.
Post Office Bantam negotiated floodwater. |
Monday, December 25, 2023
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Seoul biking
I was recently lucky enough to be able to wrangle a stop over in Seoul on the way to join my ship in Japan. Lots of motorcycles and scooters but nothing much old. Royal Enfields are surprisingly popular, I saw quite a few around. A significant amount of two wheeled traffic is from delivery bikes which are generally chinese machines locally modified with extended swinging arms, extra shockers and a large subframe for extra carrying capacity. There's also a significant number of motor tricycles, these again seem locally modified, though some may perhaps come from China as are. These delivery bikes seemed quite at odds with the otherwise ultra modernity of Seoul where a significant percentage of cars are electric.
This was the oldest bike I saw. A Yamaha DT175 fitted with a chinese Zhongshen motor. |
One particular cafe near where I was staying always had a selection of Harleys outside. Regular Sportsters but well used and lightly modded. No front mudguards and in one case no front brake.. |
Delivery bike transporting a garland. |
Trikes awaiting a job. |
And another trike. They are all quite agricultural in construction. |
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Royal Enfield Model A
Here's a picture of a humble Model A Royal Enfield. A development of Enfield's long line of 225cc two strokes built for the budget end of the market. This is an early thirties one with sloping cylinder as was the fashion of the time. Note also the pressed blade girder forks.
Monday, November 27, 2023
1937 James Sports Ace Light Tourist
Time for a bicycle article. This very sweet James I recently finished and passed on. I had bought it a few years back from a junk shop where it had had anything sticking out on its left hand side cut off to make it hang flush to a wall. This included the left pedal (yes, not removed but cut in half!), the handlebars and half of the saddle. It being quite a special and rare cycle I took pity on it and it came home with me.
In an initial flush of enthusiasm I did half the jobs needed on it and then it got neglected for a while. I've recently been having a bit of a clearout and I noted the James as superfluous to needs. I don't like to leave something half done so fininshed off the project first before selling and here is the final result.
What marks this James out as something a little different is James' own brand of gearing which is an epicyclic gear located in the chainwheel, Sunbeam used a similar system for a number of years. It gives two speeds - 1:1 and a low ratio. Also unusual is James' own brand of cantilever brakes.
James made Sports Ace models in several different versions, I've neither seen nor heard of another survivor. The new custodian is a Veteran Cycle Club member and hopefully the bike will get some use on events.
James Sports Ace side view. |
I fitted a 'Shuresta' alloy prop stand, it's postwar but I feel an appropriate accessory. |
And here's the rear brake, James' own cantilever. The brakes are effective but the rear very stiff to operate as the cable run is rather torturous. |
Sweet streamlined rear reflector and stylish ribbed mudguards. |
James logo on the lamp bracket. |
The lines are very thirties and very British. |
Constrictor pattern brake levers fitted. Higher spec than the originals but age appropriate and I couldn't find a match for the missing left hand lever. |
Harmo 'Fearnaught' push button bell. |
The original handlebars were a North Road pattern but I had these Moustache type ones which are the correct era and suit very nicely. |
Tail view of the Sports Ace. |
That reflector again... |
The Schwalbe tyres have a reflective band which grates slightly, I didn't know it was there when I ordered them. Correct metal valve cap - the devil is in the details! |
Downtube lever for the two speed chainwheel. |
And the two speed chainwheel up close. |
The Phillips pedals are early post war but are very nice and I already had them so on they went. |
Rear hub. Wingnuts are fitted front and rear and are Sturmey Archer type. |
Brake detail again. The cables have a nipple at both ends so adjustment is by means of moving the stop. |
I bought this 'Dorset' saddle a little while back. I've never seen another. I believe it is made by Lycette - if you put a large enough order in with them they would logo your saddle however you liked. |
The front Sturmey hub. |
And finally the front brake. |