This bike is never going to be as original as it was when it first came into my posession.
True, it had been mildly customised to satisfy the whim of its previous owner, but nothing was less than 35-years-old.
It still dripped oil and even smelled authentic.
Now, in putting the bike back on the road, some of that authenticity is going to be lost. Although I'm creating a rideable machine, I'm also in danger of destroying some of its spirit.
The speedometer gearbox is a case in point. Rather than refurbish the old gearbox, I discovered it was cheaper to buy a replacement.
So I ordered one - and very nice it looks too (click on photo (right) for a larger picture).
Except that the original bears the proud words "Smiths Motor Accessories Ltd, England." And then "Brit Pat 529397".
Smiths started as clock and watch business in mid-19th century London*.
The replacement gearbox has no words. There's nothing wrong with it - in fact, nobody would probably notice the lack of writing once it's on the bike.
But it has no history or pedigree. It's just not the real thing and was probably made in the Far East.
So, I've decided after all that I will have the old gearbox refurbished. It will take a little longer and cost a little more money but I believe it will be worth it.
The same goes for the numbers on the faded instrument dials. It's possible these days to have them reprinted with computer-aided accuracy.
But I prefer the originals and I'm keeping them.
*Smiths eventually became an aerospace-to-medical equipment maker. In January 2007, it agreed to sell its aerospace division to US giant General Electric (GE) for £2.5bn - see BBC online story.
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