G'day all, a Quick introduction first. My name is Tony and following the Passing of my Father from Mesothelioma about 18 months ago, I have inherited his 1952 Series C Touring Comet in its Original Patina. From what History that I do know, is it was Originally Delivered to Liverpool (England) in 1952 and was Ultimately purchased by my Dad from a Deceased Estate in Queensland (Australia) in 2015-16. Unfortunately Dad was like "Secret Squirrel" and didn't open up a lot about of what was going on in his life, till it was almost too late....I probably Spoke more to Him in the last 3 months before He passed than We had in the Previous 40 years.
I am now Finally making a start on getting it up and running again but am Fairly new to Old Bikes....if that makes Any Sense? I am reasonably Mechanically minded and don't mind getting my Hands Dirty to Strip'n'Clean it. I have No real plans to do a Full restore back to Factory Delivered Standard (I also have his 1953 Velocette MAC but that's another story in itself), just merely have it Running (in as close to possible to Original Patina as possible....Dad's wishes) and take it for Leisurely spin around the suburbs on a Sunday Arvo.
I am Based in Perth, Western Australia and would be glad to catch up with any Local Owners that could offer any "Hands on" Advice and/or Tips'n'Tricks. I am Free most days and willing to Travel if Needed. I have yet to visit Ian BOYD in Jurien Bay over here (Dad knew him well but I have yet to meet him....again, Secret Squirrel) but I look forward to heading up there one day for a Look-see.
Here is a List of Questions and Concerns with Attached Pictures for Reference where possible. I will post a Picture and address anything that stands out to Me.
The Foot pegs have been removed at this point to straighten them. Note to Self, don't forget to check Prop-stand is Down before leaning a Motorcycle.
Not sure if it will be better to Buy a new Left-hand Footrest (F72/2SS) or re-Bend the old one, same thoughts on the Footrest Hanger Bolt (F48/5SS)....it is Bent too. It was sitting Very Close to the Primary case before it fell last, due to drops by Previous owners?
As I picked it up from Dad's house before it went to my Storage. I guess it shouldn't sit at that angle?
The Cables to the individual components seem to Bind badly and are probably best replaced with New. It seems to be a mixture of being Poorly routed, Bent/damaged and old/dry lubrication. I have cleaned and re-oiled the Accelerator and Choke cable, rerouting and securing them with cable-ties but it only slightly helped. The poor strength/design of the return spring in the Amal aren't of much help. The Accelerator cable exits down from twist grip, just below the Front Brake cable, then runs through space between the Head-Lug and Forks to the space between the left side of the Fuel Tank and Oil Tank (see side view later)....the Choke cable is also secured to it but I will remove it, if anyone can suggest a better method.
The Clutch cable is routed through the same Head-Lug area (from the opposite side) and runs between the Right hand side of the Fuel Tank and Oil Tank, then over the Motor (inline with the Wiring Loom) as does the Decompression cable. I have yet to Clean/re-oil these but this leads to another issue with starting the bike. I think these are routed wrong, if comparing to other photos I've seem are correct. Again these will probably need to be replaced with New.
Decompression lever looks to be the same size as the Clutch lever, is this normal (or different on a Touring Model) as my Velocette is a "Stubby" version?
Fork Damper Knob is bare aluminium, should it be painted Black?
The 2 Black painted "Plates" attached to the Handlebar Brackets, any ideas as to what would attach there?
I am now Finally making a start on getting it up and running again but am Fairly new to Old Bikes....if that makes Any Sense? I am reasonably Mechanically minded and don't mind getting my Hands Dirty to Strip'n'Clean it. I have No real plans to do a Full restore back to Factory Delivered Standard (I also have his 1953 Velocette MAC but that's another story in itself), just merely have it Running (in as close to possible to Original Patina as possible....Dad's wishes) and take it for Leisurely spin around the suburbs on a Sunday Arvo.
I am Based in Perth, Western Australia and would be glad to catch up with any Local Owners that could offer any "Hands on" Advice and/or Tips'n'Tricks. I am Free most days and willing to Travel if Needed. I have yet to visit Ian BOYD in Jurien Bay over here (Dad knew him well but I have yet to meet him....again, Secret Squirrel) but I look forward to heading up there one day for a Look-see.
Here is a List of Questions and Concerns with Attached Pictures for Reference where possible. I will post a Picture and address anything that stands out to Me.
The Foot pegs have been removed at this point to straighten them. Note to Self, don't forget to check Prop-stand is Down before leaning a Motorcycle.
Not sure if it will be better to Buy a new Left-hand Footrest (F72/2SS) or re-Bend the old one, same thoughts on the Footrest Hanger Bolt (F48/5SS)....it is Bent too. It was sitting Very Close to the Primary case before it fell last, due to drops by Previous owners?
As I picked it up from Dad's house before it went to my Storage. I guess it shouldn't sit at that angle?
The Cables to the individual components seem to Bind badly and are probably best replaced with New. It seems to be a mixture of being Poorly routed, Bent/damaged and old/dry lubrication. I have cleaned and re-oiled the Accelerator and Choke cable, rerouting and securing them with cable-ties but it only slightly helped. The poor strength/design of the return spring in the Amal aren't of much help. The Accelerator cable exits down from twist grip, just below the Front Brake cable, then runs through space between the Head-Lug and Forks to the space between the left side of the Fuel Tank and Oil Tank (see side view later)....the Choke cable is also secured to it but I will remove it, if anyone can suggest a better method.
The Clutch cable is routed through the same Head-Lug area (from the opposite side) and runs between the Right hand side of the Fuel Tank and Oil Tank, then over the Motor (inline with the Wiring Loom) as does the Decompression cable. I have yet to Clean/re-oil these but this leads to another issue with starting the bike. I think these are routed wrong, if comparing to other photos I've seem are correct. Again these will probably need to be replaced with New.
Decompression lever looks to be the same size as the Clutch lever, is this normal (or different on a Touring Model) as my Velocette is a "Stubby" version?
Fork Damper Knob is bare aluminium, should it be painted Black?
The 2 Black painted "Plates" attached to the Handlebar Brackets, any ideas as to what would attach there?