Preliminary Inspection..
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| Is it going to tip? who knows (it didn't, but could have) |
Back home after an interesting evening trip averaging at 35 - 40mph down the M25, (only just fitted on to a standard 3 channel bike trailer, with side car wheel perilously perched on the edge of the trailer), i got a chance to have a proper look around the bike.
heres the general prognosis: (ill update with some pics later when i have time to take some more.)
Structurally it looks pretty good actually, no rusted through points on the main frame, a few minor spots of surface rust, but not much else. all seems quite solid.
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| Nice low kilometer-age here.. |
Electrics are a bit of a mess, and it seems that someone once took off the side car and professionally disconnected the wires with a a pair of cutters. From reading other blogs about these bikes, it seems the general opinion that the original wiring was pretty crap anyway.
Wheels, seem in generally good condition, no immediately noticeable issues, and back drive wheel looks to be fairly recently reconditioned or even new? Spare wheel however looks a bit sad. crusty splitting rubber tire, no valve on inner tube and from what i can see now, there appears to be a fair amount of rust on the inner of the rim (perhaps this is due to the crap fitting split rubber tire and long periods of storage)
Mechanically, seems to be ok. It runs, clutch is a bit floppy due to a stretched cable but all the gears work, (bit scary at present with no brakes, but you gotta test these things!), seems to have reasonable compression resistance on kick start too. bit of miscellaneous engine goo around the engine top and related components, but looks to be more of a result of excessive years of non cleaning/storage rather than a leakage.
Seats tops are ok/good condition, nothing a good cleaning wont sort out. But pretty much all other rubber parts (frame bushes, light housings, seat cushions etc..) are showing a need for replacement, except one seat cushion rubber, which seems to be in remarkably good condition.
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| The Bike 'as is'.. |
Side car, generally not bad. a few very small spots of surface rust here and there, and a minor dent on the back at the bottom, but quite good overall. The seat still has good springs, but could do with a new sponge cushion and cover.
Overall, i think quite good from a vehicle from the 1960s! still plenty of things to keep me busy! Im sure ill find more once i get into dismantling bits and pieces.
but for now, i guess ill need some sort of workshop to work in...
