Anyone familiar with "Kavanagh"? Owner or tuner?

CoreyL

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Hi All,

I'm trying to learn more about the history of my 1950 Series B Meteor. Sid Biberman owned it prior to me. Sid bought the bike from a gentleman named Richard Adams in the UK in 1993. I don't know anything about the history prior to that. The timing cover has the name "Kavanagh" etched in it (see pic). Does anyone on the list know who this is/was? Was he an owner or a tuner?

Any insight that can be provided would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Corey
 

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davidd

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Corey,

That cover is a twin cover. Kavanagh may have built the twin from which the cover came. You can tell a twin cover because of the two holes that have screws in them to block them off on the right side. On the Comet you don't need the third hole for the cam and the fourth hole for the cylinder oiling.

A Comet does not need these so oil galley is not even drilled. That galley on the right is drilled from the outside of the cover, so there is a grub screw blocking the drilling site, which is in the little triangle on the outside of the cover. A Comet timing cover will not need the grub screw, so it will be untouched on the outside of a Comet cover.

Simon can possibly give you some details on the mating number stamped inside. I would call Matthew Biberman, if you have not already, and ask him if he knew any of the history.

David

I could not find this reply after it was posted, so I wrote it again in the "Misc" prefix before realizing there was a duplicate.
 
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vibrac

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You can hope it's Ken Kavanagh Australian road racer still alive I believe in his 90,s
 

Bill Thomas

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I think I would have to take those small screws out, Hate to think of them falling out, Maybe close the holes with a small rounded hammer. Cheers Bill.
 

CoreyL

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VOC Member
Corey,

That cover is a twin cover. Kavanagh may have built the twin from which the cover came. You can tell a twin cover because of the two holes that have screws in them to block them off on the right side. On the Comet you don't need the third hole for the cam and the fourth hole for the cylinder oiling.

A Comet does not need these so oil galley is not even drilled. That galley on the right is drilled from the outside of the cover, so there is a grub screw blocking the drilling site, which is in the little triangle on the outside of the cover. A Comet timing cover will not need the grub screw, so it will be untouched on the outside of a Comet cover.

Simon can possibly give you some details on the mating number stamped inside. I would call Matthew Biberman, if you have not already, and ask him if he knew any of the history.

David

I could not find this reply after it was posted, so I wrote it again in the "Misc" prefix before realizing there was a duplicate.
Thanks, David. The Kavanagh name is also in the primary cover as well as both crankcase halves so, although the timing cover may be from a twin, I believe it was already on the Meteor by the time Kavanagh laid hands upon it.

I bought the bike from Matthew and I don't think he knows any of the bike's history prior to when his dad bought it in 1993.

Your suggestion to ask Simon is a good one and I'll follow up on that...
 

highbury731

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VOC Member
Some years ago, TheVincent.com posted a picture of a Vincent V twin modified by Ken Kavanagh while he was racing for Moto Guzzi. It had many works Guzzi parts, such as front forks and brake, and I think from vague memory, a dustbin fairing of the same source. I saved the picture but sadly it corrupted
Paul
 
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