Series A Questions

[Clay]

Hi,

I've stripped down the tank on my Series A Comet and I'm just about ready to re-paint it the correct colour, (instead of the shocking pink crazed paint that it had). Can anyone tell me if it should have the Mercury transfer on top of the tank> I've seen some with and some without but does anyone know if they originally had this transfer?

Second question: Which is the correct stop lamp? Is it part PR19 on the club shop here: https://vocspares.mamutweb.com/Shop/List/Electrical-System/35/3 ?

Thanks

 

[Simon Dinsdale]

As far as I know the tank should have the Mercury HRD Transfer on the top.

The rear light on a series A Comet and Meteor should be a Miller 35E. Originals are real rocking horse s##t, but Rudge also used the light and this website advertises replicas:
http://www.rudge.parts/lighting-equipment.html

I have had the odd bit from there and the quality is good, but I have not seen one of their 35E lights. As a note the original 35E was just a back light and no brake light was fitted. The replica is a back & brake light so you need to fit a brake light switch. I believe legally in the U.K. You need a brake light if fitting lights, but prior to a certain date you may be exempt. Maybe somebody could advise on that.
Simon

 

[greg brillus]

Its a catch 22.....You want the bike to look original, but it needs to be road legal as well........well if you don't want someone running up your "Clacker"

 

[davidd]

Scott Dell working on Jimmy Sabino's A Comet.

Jimmy is on the left, but unrecognizable.

David

 

[Albervin]

 

[davidd]

These photos were professional photographs taken on the same day it seems of two Series A singles. One has a pillion seat. Thanks to SteveE for the photos.

The solo's tail lamp:

The pillion's tail lamp:

David

 

[vibrac]

That stop light question is a real mine field some references say 1/1/36 but some say if supplied by manufacturers at that date it must work others point out that some models were produced up to 1952 without stop lights. Of course the last people to know are the police and the next to not know are the MOT testers. It's not the first time I have had to point out my 1935 KSS dosent need a speedo by law

 

[greg brillus]

There are some really interesting points to those photos.........It confirms my theory about the black studs and the plated nuts, washers and smaller bolts probably cadmium plated. The rear tommy bar is on the right side.........was this normal.......? The black finish on the inner/outer rear spring box cases. No speedo on this bike...........Vertical position of the Kick start lever, the black footrest hangers, the unusually long distance from the footrest rubber to the gear lever. Is there a slight angle cut to the outlet of the muffler....? The rather crude wiring to the rear lamp, although it appears there are small spring clips holding the wire to the mudguard stay...........No Zip ties here......!! Even the photography is interesting how the bike is in good focus but the rear white drop sheet and the two men holding it are not in focus. Great to see such a good photo of an original bike like that. Thanks very much for posting these pics, cheers..........Greg.

 

[nkt267]

My 1932 Sunbeam has a silencer cut like that. Maybe the thought was that the gases would flow away from the rear tyre?, or just more asthetically pleasing?

 

[Simon Dinsdale]

Don't forget though the pre war bikes were truely hand built and fettled with whatever was available at the time used. So be careful taking those photos as correct for all 1935 to 1935 bikes. looking at the oil tank pipe connections I would say they are 1935 to early 1939 bikes in the photos. By 1939 there could have been a lot of changes like a different gearlever which was kinked rather than straight.
If you can get hold of a book called "Vincent-HRD" by Peter Carrick that has a couple of good period close up photos of pre war and post war bikes.