1954 18S preservation project (with lots of pictures)

Information relating to the Matchless G80 or AJS Model 18 500cc Heavyweight.
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Pharisee
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by Pharisee »

cfaber wrote:
Pharisee wrote:I bought a pair of new lenses for the Lucas 516 'Torpedo' sidelight form Auto Electric Supplies Ltd. They have them at £4.20 each, Part no. 177013.

https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/1200
Ah, fantastic! just ordered a set!

Google is your friend.... !!
I'm from the Fens.... Gimme six.
StephenG80
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by StephenG80 »

cfaber wrote: Given how cheap they are, I'd suggest purchasing them from the link Pharisee posted.

I only needed 1 but purchased 2 so the color matches exactly.
Yes - but I have glass ones so don't want to go over to plastic 8-)

However, - cfaber - as you have now ordered plastic ones do you know want to sell me your glass one - then I'll have a matching pair of glass ones :beer: 8-)
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cfaber
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by cfaber »

Stephen G80 wrote:
cfaber wrote: Given how cheap they are, I'd suggest purchasing them from the link Pharisee posted.

I only needed 1 but purchased 2 so the color matches exactly.
Yes - but I have glass ones so don't want to go over to plastic 8-)

However, - cfaber - as you have now ordered plastic ones do you know want to sell me your glass one - then I'll have a matching pair of glass ones :beer: 8-)
I actually know a master glass blower, before I do anything with the glass one I'm going to see if she can produce me a few new ones, once those are ready I'll swap out the plastic for the glass and may have some extras to provide the community.
Fix it until it's broken!

Otherwise how will
anything get done?
Reynard24
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by Reynard24 »

Hitchcock's, the Royal Enfield specialist has them listed at £1.20 each under the number LU/573615 but does not specify if they are glass or plastic.
cbranni
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by cbranni »

I bought a pair from Hitchcocks this year and looking at the Meteor I can't tell if they are glass or plastic..................specsavers here we come :oops:

Colin
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cfaber
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by cfaber »

Reynard24 wrote:Hitchcock's, the Royal Enfield specialist has them listed at £1.20 each under the number LU/573615 but does not specify if they are glass or plastic.
For some reason all I thought of when I read this was
Fix it until it's broken!

Otherwise how will
anything get done?
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cfaber
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by cfaber »

Well it's always a good day when I spot one of these in the mail box

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Thanks club spares!!!!

The pile-o-parts is growing as the bike is pulled apart further and new / replacement parts arrive

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I sent the Smiths off to a specialist rebuilder out of NY today for rebuild, so that hopefully not too much damage to my wallet when they get it done, but it should be good as new and totally refurbished.

I also took a few minutes to pull the wiring harness off the bike, like many Lucas harnesses this one is missing it's smoke :rolf:, so that's been ordered from fleabay

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New wires are on order now including new bullet ends, and other misc parts needed to reconstruct the harness in a period correct way.

Also noticed this guy

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No part number, resistor to smooth out the chatter from the regulator?

Also it's looking more and more likely that I'm going to end up repainting parts of the bike to hide the damage from the PO's personal modifications. I'll make sure the paint matches and try and sort out the patina as best as possible.

Lastly, I've almost paid for the bike with the non-bike related parts tossed into the deal $$$ I love breaking even on a project before I really dig into it :D
Fix it until it's broken!

Otherwise how will
anything get done?
zwarts
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by zwarts »

That is a brake light switch.
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cfaber
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by cfaber »

Hope you all had a good Christmas Break, I sure did. Was pretty busy dealing with the family, and the last week of work before our shutdown. That said, over the last few days I knocked out some projects the wife was after me about. Fixed the snow blower, cleaned up the garage, and had a few minutes to hang up the much wanted Christmas present
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Soft hose (even when cold) retractable air line, so great! LOVE IT.

So after finishing up the various tasks on the list I decided to finish up the carburetor, part of that was to remove the choke and slide, so I might as well pull the bars off at the same time, but before I did, I decided to see what the bike would look like "cafe'd out" :rofl:
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Pulled the slide apart, man, what an overly complicated bit of kit
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and pretty dirty
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I managed to remove the core from the mixing body without damaging it, I would suggest anyone trying this to be careful and use WD-40 or something similar to loosen it up before driving it out
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All the parts are degreased and dumped into my ultra sonic cleaner
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And come out looking pretty good, though a little bit of polish (not too much to destroy the patina)
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Once complete all of the air holes and fuel passage ways get a once through with the carb probes
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Slide and mixing body core match up nicely still, not too much wear
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All clean now and time for reassembly
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After all the work, the carb looks great, and hopefully works as good as new, all the passage ways are clear, all the mud, dirt, and oil removed, and everything back in place ready to be hooked back up to the bike.

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After finishing this, I realize I'm going to need to order a new throttle cable and choke cable, both are worn badly.

Also need to source some parts for the jampots in the back. Noticed this damage which needs to be addressed

Image

Oh well, It will all get fixed.
Fix it until it's broken!

Otherwise how will
anything get done?
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cfaber
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Re: My new restoration project

Post by cfaber »

I should have grabbed a picture of the ultrasonic fluid after the job. I literally dumped mud out of it when I drained it.
Fix it until it's broken!

Otherwise how will
anything get done?
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