Saving Old Seagulls

I didn't know they had brass tanks with the bayonet fitting. Must be rare. I want one!

And I want a donga and original throttle lever! Do you know of any spare?

To the best of our knowledge the SD was only ever fitted with the bayonet cap that was chrome plated with an air bleed nipple fitted to the center of the cap, a few seem to have been fitted with brass bayonet tank.
Before the war all the tanks were steel so it's likely that it was only a few later motors that had the brass tanks.
What's a Donga?

Gear disengage. Dingoes's donga (an Aussie expression as in "Dry as a Dead Dingoes Donga" ie get thee to a pub)

Obviously true happiness = a shiny bronze donga

Being Aussie they would be very shiny, as they're reputed to be world class polishers of said item.

Well Mr Oyster it will be a while before I can get back to my Seagulls. Work commitments have taken over my life, Bloody government want more for less. Rant over now to the more serious side of finding you a brass gear lever (donga) and me a Bayonet tank cap. I fear yours may be easier than mine to find or fabricate. If you do happen to come across one on your part seeking quests I would gladly purchase it from you or exchange for other items! How is HID with your expanding collection of “old smelly antiques “ wife’s quote.

All the best Graham

probably does not help much, but has the older round tank 5hp Anzani have the same style cap.
Maybe an option.

Ceandess in Wolverhampton reproduce caps for classic motorcycles.

They have 2 inch bayonet oil caps without the air bleed screw for RE motorcycles (I think).

I don't know if they fit on SD tanks and/or can be modified with an air bleed screw.
Jan

I've just picked up the AC I won on ebay. It is complete and does indeed have a brass tank, with a steel neck and a bayonet filler cap. The chrome was all lifting of the filler, but a very gentle rub reaveled very shiny brass undernieth. The chrome just about fell off actually. To get the SD as original as possible I think I will use this tank on the SD and fit the screw type tank currently in work to the AC.

That's 4 102's I now have! Or perhaps 3 and a few bits.

SD In work and going well. Still after throttle lever, bronze clutch lever, suitable transom bracket
AC Complete and will try to get it going before restoration. It does have a later type gearbox though that came from SOS apparently.
AD - Just about got all the parts for this one. Original gearbox seems in good condition.
TC - Very dead parts engine but it has supplied it's cylinder block, which I will use on the AD plus a spare later type clutched gearbox.I may use this on the SD until a suitable period one comes up. Might be able to salvage the crankcases and leg too, if anybody is after these parts.

As for her ladyship, she is happy that I am not restoring old motorbikes, when I pointed out the costs!

Really must get on with that kitchen now..

Got some more work done today, and the magneto is back from George at Villiers parts. He has a made a top job, in fact the whole thing looks like new, with a new coil, condenser and correct points.

I've also been repairing the damage on the lower casting that has accumulated over the years, and cleaned up the exhaust. The exhaust responded well to initially a scouring pad, followed by fine wet & dry. It will get a further polish before being refitted.

Next job is to look at the cylinder and make that decision on painting black, painting silver, or leaving as is Still can't decide which looks best. Must say that Grahams SD in black is looking rather good. Must try to catch him up.

Dare I ask what the magneto cost to have rebuilt? I'm keeping my SD's in their original nickel coat.

Not particularly cheap..£65 for the coil, plus £15 to do the work. I also had new points and condensor, plus new screws, nuts etc. Pushed it to over £100. However the coil has lifetime guarantee, so hopefully no ignition problems.. I'll also fit a new lead and plug.

OUCH!
Last time I bought a new plug, lead & bakerlight cap that was about £25.00, giving a total of over £125.00.

That's getting on for $250 Hugo, nothing for a man who will fly for four hours for a drink with Bruce.

I was expecting a lot more. Sounds quite reasonable.

Anyone know where I can get some black nipples....? the non lactating style.

We aussies are known to tackle great feats of distance and endurance for the Amber Gods.

I've bookmarked this thread. Works well!