I looked at what was meant to be a 1953 Black Shadow yesterday, it had a premium price on it, which I was quite prepared to pay. However I was concerned about a few issues.
First of all the rear cylinder was leaking small amounts of oil from the exhaust pipe fastening finned flange nut, it was blowing smoke when first started, which the owner put down to oil in the crankcase from sitting for about 3 months without being started. He allowed it to warm up for about 10 minutes, but when I followed him on a ride it was still puffing a fair amount of blue smoke on gear changes and particularly when backed off, we rode for about 30 kilometres and it was still blowing the same amount of smoke.
My limited mechanical knowledge would suggest worn rings and / or valve guide seals. Can anyone please tell me if I am over concerned or if this is common and nothing to worry about, as I did not want to buy the bike and then find I had to spend further money soon after to remedy the issues.
He had owned the bike for over 30 years and was confident all the numbers matched.
Whiilst maintaining the owners wish not to reveal too much about the bike so that he is not innundated with calls or offers (it has been listed with the VOC) as it is not really on the market, and I was only given an opportunity to buy it as he is a friend of a friend.
The engine number is in the 5800 to 5900 range, which would seem to suggest 1951 rather than 1953 and the 2 frame numbers seemed to be the same (it was very hard to read them) in the RC7700 to RC7800 range, and I have no idea what year they should represent.
Any constructive comments would be greatly accepted.
Regards Damian.
First of all the rear cylinder was leaking small amounts of oil from the exhaust pipe fastening finned flange nut, it was blowing smoke when first started, which the owner put down to oil in the crankcase from sitting for about 3 months without being started. He allowed it to warm up for about 10 minutes, but when I followed him on a ride it was still puffing a fair amount of blue smoke on gear changes and particularly when backed off, we rode for about 30 kilometres and it was still blowing the same amount of smoke.
My limited mechanical knowledge would suggest worn rings and / or valve guide seals. Can anyone please tell me if I am over concerned or if this is common and nothing to worry about, as I did not want to buy the bike and then find I had to spend further money soon after to remedy the issues.
He had owned the bike for over 30 years and was confident all the numbers matched.
Whiilst maintaining the owners wish not to reveal too much about the bike so that he is not innundated with calls or offers (it has been listed with the VOC) as it is not really on the market, and I was only given an opportunity to buy it as he is a friend of a friend.
The engine number is in the 5800 to 5900 range, which would seem to suggest 1951 rather than 1953 and the 2 frame numbers seemed to be the same (it was very hard to read them) in the RC7700 to RC7800 range, and I have no idea what year they should represent.
Any constructive comments would be greatly accepted.
Regards Damian.