Circa1965/6 I was 13 or 14, crazy about bikes. Started with a BSA Bantam and then had a Matchless 1948 500cc Clubman. At the time I had a paper round and had noticed an old motorcycle combination in someone’s allotment. I eventually found the old fella who owned it and asked if I could have a look at it. It was in poor condition, rooted to the ground with grass growing through the spokes and all of the controls were rusted and seized. It was a Brough Superior fitted with an AJS V twin engine and the outstanding thing was it had twin rear wheels. I asked the chap if it ran and he turned on the petrol tap, kicked it over a couple of times and it burst into life and just sat there idling. All I wanted was a new field bike to replace the Matchless but doubted this would be any good with the sidecar removed, due to those back wheels. He was asking either three pounds ten shillings or four pounds ten shillings but I had to leave it where it stood. Eventually replaced the Matchless with a 350cc Aerial Red hunter but I never forgot about that Brough.
Guards (wings) look much better, spot on, I think that extra 1/2 inch height at rear will add to 'overall look' of the car. Sort of a bit of rake to it, as you said, seeing it outside will help with judging proportions. I have an Australian coachbuilt 'Hope' bodied Austin Seven under restoration, it has unique guards a bit like Ivan Duttons Salmson or an early Amilcar, your work and videos are a great resource and very inspirational! Thanks Simon and Happy New Year
The Merlin I believe was mostly restored by Norm Porrrit and finished off by Southward after Norm died, I think it's a 12/4 car with a sprite spec engine . The very first car I owned was a Merlin but a lowly 9hp car.
I am impressed with the new front wings, they are going to look really good! Did I get a glimpse of an Austin Swallow saloon at the museum? If it is the one I am thinking of, it has something odd with the roof peak! Happy New Year, we are still in 2024 in the UK!
You're winning the battle with the guards... looking good. I do have a question... do the front wheels turn left and right with the guards moving with them? If they don't, I'm wondering if there might be some clearance issues at full lock and with compressed springs. I'm sure you've thought of that already. Cheers and happy new years
No, should be fine, there is a load of space on the front guards since the front axle really can't move too far. The guards don't move, they are attached to the body. Guards that move with wheels always add unspring weight so I think most car makers avoid them. It's things like judder bars (speed bumps in the US?) or driving over kerbs that really move the suspension to extremes I think!
good ,, but a bit long. love the 78s! good bike section. what is the 3rd car in the shed? british? on the front of the Riley,, is that a supercharger drive or not? cheers.
Yes, too long, sorry! It's because I don't plan films and film what I do so at the moment on holiday I do more! But will bear it in mind. 3rd car is my MGB. The thing on front of the Riley is the dynamo, driven straight off the front of the crank.
If you don't like it, don't watch it. You obviously only watched less than 5 minutes before feeling the need to comment and your comment isn't adding any value so I am not sure why you bother?
I guess that You did not know that birds love Riley’s did you ? - top tip from a Pidgeon make the wings in 1/4’s then weld them together- you can get the form on a 1/4 easily 😊
They add stupid comments because they can’t do what your doing and do feel the need to be destructive- you keep going great vids with fantastic commentary 😊
@@asciimation Yes mate - make in quarters then you can shrink / bend the returns and then weld / planish them all together one joint will run right down the centre line from front to rear ( which is why many wings have a ridge right along the centre line ) and the other will go completely across it - from the wheel facing side to the rear - if that makes sense ? that's how I made all of mine as it makes the fabrication so much easier -
Circa1965/6 I was 13 or 14, crazy about bikes. Started with a BSA Bantam and then had a Matchless 1948 500cc Clubman. At the time I had a paper round and had noticed an old motorcycle combination in someone’s allotment. I eventually found the old fella who owned it and asked if I could have a look at it. It was in poor condition, rooted to the ground with grass growing through the spokes and all of the controls were rusted and seized. It was a Brough Superior fitted with an AJS V twin engine and the outstanding thing was it had twin rear wheels. I asked the chap if it ran and he turned on the petrol tap, kicked it over a couple of times and it burst into life and just sat there idling. All I wanted was a new field bike to replace the Matchless but doubted this would be any good with the sidecar removed, due to those back wheels. He was asking either three pounds ten shillings or four pounds ten shillings but I had to leave it where it stood. Eventually replaced the Matchless with a 350cc Aerial Red hunter but I never forgot about that Brough.
Wishing you and head gardener a happy new year Simon, from Durham in England, Fantastic job on the mudguards, love the gramophone...
Thanks! Need to work out how to do the horn on the gramophone next.
I would put machinists dye on the ruler markings then polish off with very fine sandpaper, leaving blue in the markings. Happy New Year!
I would think it would rub off easily but I can certainly try it.
Guards (wings) look much better, spot on, I think that extra 1/2 inch height at rear will add to 'overall look' of the car. Sort of a bit of rake to it, as you said, seeing it outside will help with judging proportions. I have an Australian coachbuilt 'Hope' bodied Austin Seven under restoration, it has unique guards a bit like Ivan Duttons Salmson or an early Amilcar, your work and videos are a great resource and very inspirational! Thanks Simon and Happy New Year
Thanks! Going by what looks right seems best. You definitely know when things look wrong more than when they look right.
looking great
Getting there, slowly as usual :)
The Merlin I believe was mostly restored by Norm Porrrit and finished off by Southward after Norm died, I think it's a 12/4 car with a sprite spec engine . The very first car I owned was a Merlin but a lowly 9hp car.
Thanks! Would be very interesting to know the history behind some of those cars at Southwards.
I am impressed with the new front wings, they are going to look really good!
Did I get a glimpse of an Austin Swallow saloon at the museum? If it is the one I am thinking of, it has something odd with the roof peak!
Happy New Year, we are still in 2024 in the UK!
Yes, next time I am there I will film the Swallow.
You're winning the battle with the guards... looking good. I do have a question... do the front wheels turn left and right with the guards moving with them? If they don't, I'm wondering if there might be some clearance issues at full lock and with compressed springs. I'm sure you've thought of that already. Cheers and happy new years
In New Zealand right to left 😄
@@fredjones1238 😆
@@shedbythetracks Happy New Year
@@fredjones1238 Same to you Fred!
No, should be fine, there is a load of space on the front guards since the front axle really can't move too far. The guards don't move, they are attached to the body. Guards that move with wheels always add unspring weight so I think most
car makers avoid them. It's things like judder bars (speed bumps in the US?) or driving over kerbs that really move the suspension to extremes I think!
good ,, but a bit long. love the 78s! good bike section. what is the 3rd car in the shed? british? on the front of the Riley,, is that a supercharger drive or not? cheers.
Yes, too long, sorry! It's because I don't plan films and film what I do so at the moment on holiday I do more! But will bear it in mind. 3rd car is my MGB. The thing on front of the Riley is the dynamo, driven straight off the front of the crank.
theme to tv show, "Dragnet"?
Yes, exactly right! It never occurred to me it would be on a 78 so it seemed an odd find.
Too much chatty chatty and not enough machinery machinery!
If you don't like it, don't watch it. You obviously only watched less than 5 minutes before feeling the need to comment and your comment isn't adding any value so I am not sure why you bother?
I guess that You did not know that birds love Riley’s did you ? - top tip from a Pidgeon make the wings in 1/4’s then weld them together- you can get the form on a 1/4 easily 😊
They add stupid comments because they can’t do what your doing and do feel the need to be destructive- you keep going great vids with fantastic commentary 😊
Hi Jim! How do you mean quarters?
@@asciimation Yes mate - make in quarters then you can shrink / bend the returns and then weld / planish them all together one joint will run right down the centre line from front to rear ( which is why many wings have a ridge right along the centre line ) and the other will go completely across it - from the wheel facing side to the rear - if that makes sense ? that's how I made all of mine as it makes the fabrication so much easier -