Dirty ......... Part deux

Really don't know how they find the time, but Scarlett and Simo have just published the second issue, and it's well worth the entry fee. Not purely about bikes, it celebrates all the old shit that comes from a better time, when things were made with pride and purpose. Check the blog and score yourself a copy, you won't be disappointed.

Desperately Seeking...........................

.....one of these, I would rather not have to surrender my first born in exchange for it. Condition doesn't really matter as long as it is complete.

Woke up this mornin'.............

Got back from The Salt Mine this evening to find this waiting for me. Steve, who lives a couple of doors up the road dropped it in.Said to the wife he was having a clearout, he made it a few weeks ago, and did I want it. Set up for slide, there's a pick up in the box and it sounds surprisingly good, even with my fumbling attempts. Cheers Steve

Quality............

Nice Triumph coming together

This nice Trumpet chop is coming along nicely and promises to end up as a sweet ride for someone. Being built up by Marvel-Us-Customs in Phoenix Arizona, it's one of several cool projects they've got going on, do yourselves a favour and check it out.

Sill Hill Prices now added.

The prices have now been added to the range of parts from Sill Hill. Get over to the page using the link above and check 'em out.

More From Sill Hill

Rich from Sill Hill has sent me some more pictures of his ENGLISH made parts, they've been stuck on their own page to make things available for longer.
Prices to follow.

Are you sure........

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Well this is where it's at with less than an hour to go, and the Reserve not met! I guess it is worth more than two grand, but the bloke is certainly taking no chances with his sale. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the next hour.

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STOP PRESS

Well folks it's done and not dusted, £2500 "Reserve not met". I was sure that would be the tipping point, obviously not!

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I Love This

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1934 they reckon, the detail and smoothness of the cartooning is outstanding, oh yeah, and it's funny!

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Never seen one of these........

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You don't see much about two strokes out here on the blogscape, but I thought I would show y'all this. I never knew that the British industry pre-dated the Orientals in the fancy stinkwheel department, although as I type this I seem to remember Scott did a triple at some time.
I was going through my old manuals looking for stuff about Villiers motors to send up to Toddy off of DB and came across an Excelsior spares book, dated 1958. The book covers the 328cc Talisman Twin and this, the Talisman 3 at 492cc. Purely a modular design, the exploded view shows that it is 3 164cc singles bolted end on end, each with it's own crank and mains, which I suppose it's got to be given the crankcase induction principle used on strokers.
A bit more digging has revealed that the motor was not used in a bike at all, but in a fifties fibre glass sports car thing called a Berkley SE492, which is kind of strange as they were made about 10 miles up the road from here.

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Here it is in all it's 30 bhp glory!

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Made in England

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A new name to us here at BIW is Sill Hill Chop Shop, but the idea of handmade stuff originating here in the UK is certainly not. In the tradition of names like Sparto,Wassel and the like, they are producing a blend of tradition, craftsmanship and kool with these parts. Made to individual order by blokes with their hands and not churned out by the gazillion we can only wish the guys the best of luck. No prices yet, but a mail has been sent, so update when available.

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Hot Off The Press

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Well, it's hit the streets, Issue 17 is now available and as always well worth the wait. Crackin' pic of Benny on the front, hiding his youthful good looks to maintain the sanity of any chicks that might see it. Great feature on his bee-oooo-tiful Pan inside along with some really classy Trumpets. No need to take my word for it, get over here and get yourself a copy while you still can.

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The Early Days

I guess Rowan will remember this, June 1972 when the country was full of old rigids that nobody wanted and even fewer had the foresight to hoard away. Bits were still bloody expensive though, for an 18 year old apprentice on not a lot and sixpence a week.

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What a way to start a project

If anybody is feeling inspired, either by the drivel on here, or stuff they have seen on other blogs of a similar nature, and want to get a start on something of their own. This 1948 rigid A7 is on the UK Bay at the moment. Virtually enough parts to build two bikes, and it all looks to be good. The fact I'm telling y'all indicates that for once I am letting my head rule my heart, I'd have it in a flash if there was room in the shed.

On the bay HERE

Serendipity ???????

Picked up some of the polishing yesterday, mostly engine covers and a few bits and pieces. The bloke is laying the stuff out and says that his main polishing guy had got the primary case wrapped up in the mop whilst polishing it, it span 'round and hit something or other!!!!!!!!!!!!! The upshot being, big chunk out of the case, well he's done a superb job of welding it up and it can't be seen at all from the outside, still shit news whichever way it cuts. He knocked a load of money off, and at the end of the day what's done's done.
This morning I looked on Draganfly's site and opened up the page shown above. Part number 67-1701 it said so I looked at the list below and sure enough the part was listed, clicked on the link expecting to see U next to the number indicating used, but no! So I phoned 'em up and the man said they had one NOS left, the price forty four quid plus tax. Needless to say, it's on it's way.

I had to have it.......

Well I saw it, and PayPal makes it all too easy

Stickaholic

Now I ain't too proud to admit it, I am partial to the odd cool sticker or ten, but this arrived the other day and blew me away. An aluminium frame tag !!! what a cool variation on the theme, sent by Ry in Dearborn, Michigan, check his site out.

The Devil Made Me Do It

They say the Devil is in the detail, well that's what drove me to get these fork nuts made. Turned up by my old mate Vic, they add a bit of detail to the fork legs and really pop against the black legs.

Them Krazy Dutch Guys

GREASEHEADQUARTERS


Part 1

Part 2

I can see the attraction......

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Matt from the Machineshed in Oz has recently put the finishing touches to his 1950 Pan and what a piece of work it is. It's great to see people breaking out of the restraints of pre-conceived style cues, not worrying about which bit can be used with what because fashion dictates it, flippin' the bone to the style gurus. This is a piece of individualistic art and can stand on it's own merits at any type of bike show or event you like to name. Look out for an up and coming feature in GK.
Hats off to ya Matt

Oil Filter Bracket Part Two

Here's the oil filter and bracket in position, neatly tucked into the vacant space behind the gearbox. Only problem now, paint or plate?