The Bonneville Project

Centre stand and chain guard

I''ve replaced the chainguard and the side stand, both of which were damaged.

The picture below doesn't do the chain guard justice. It doesn't look too bad here but in reality it looks like somebody has been practising panel-beating on it.

The side stand was bent beyond 90 degrees.

I guess it would have been possible to heat up the side stand and bend it back again, but I don't like the idea of my bike toppling over after resting on a dodgy side stand so replaced it was.

Both these purchases were made at the same time in person from Oliver W. Barnes at Tri-supply during a trip to Devon earlier this year.

As usual, I spent too much money but you can't fault the quality of the parts.

Clocks - before & after

The clocks are back and they look nearly but not quite like new.

I'd asked for the speedo and tachometer to be completely refurbished with new glass and bezels (rims) fitted.

The old glass on both clocks had been smashed some time ago and fallen into the workings. The casings were rusty and so were the bezels.

Although the original grey clock faces were slightly pitted, I asked for them to be retained rather than replaced with computer-printed replicas.

The finished result looks slightly odd, as the shiny glass and shiny bezels are noticeably newer than the older but authentic clock faces inside.

During rebuilding, Speedograph Richfield usually resets odometers to zero but I believe the 5704.5 miles mine shows to be authentic so the mileage too was retained.

It came back showing 5706 miles - no doubt due to testing and winding on during the refurbishment process.

In all, refurbishing the clocks set me back £273.30, taking the total cost of the rebuild so far to £4,673.98.

Soon I will have spent a £ for every mile the bike has travelled...

The good news is that only three major (in financial terms) jobs remain before I can start putting the bike back together.

These jobs are wheel-building, straightening the rear subframe, and painting the frame.

By the time these are complete, the budget will be well and truly busted.

Speedo gearbox repair hitch

I've had a reply from Speedograph Richfield, whom I had asked to restore my original speedometer gearbox.

I had sent two speedometer gearboxes: one original (and not working), the other a replica (missing the original Smiths writing on the casing).

In my quest to make the bike as original as possible, I was hoping they would be able to restore the original using parts from the replica.

But they wrote back informing me that they don't have supplies of spare parts and that using parts from the replica box would involve destroying the sealing ring.

This is a minor setback - but at least I have a working gearbox until I find someone who can restore the original.

To repair or replace?

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.

Speedo and tachometer

Today I'm sending the speedometer and tachometer away to be repaired.

Both instruments are damaged externally – the glass in each is smashed and missing and the bezels and casings have certainly seen better days.

I am unsure of the internal condition of either instrument but both contain shards of glass.

They are being sent to Speedograph Richfield in Nottingham - experts in repairing Smiths instruments.

Prior to wrapping in bubble wrap, I covered the face of each instrument with cardboard to protect the dial and pointers and then wrapped it in newspaper.

I've asked Speedograph Richfield to quote me for a full repair on both instruments, using the original dials, pointers and internal workings if possible.

I've also asked them to return the casings to the original black - at the moment they look like they've been either chrome plated or painted silver.

The speedometer is an SSM5001/06 100 model, with a maximum speed of 150mph on the dial. Once repaired, it will be set at 05704.3 miles - the mileage shown now.

The tachometer is an RSM 3003/01 A 4-1 model, showing RPM x 100 with a maximum RPM of 100 (ie. 10,000 revs).

Seat and exhaust

The seat and exhaust are completely unsalvageable.

Both will have to be replaced - and when I buy new ones it will be a sure sign that the project is nearing completion.

As for now, they are languishing outside, ready to be taken to the local tip.