Rat Bike Project

[facthunter]

The main mod is the rear hub (and brake) and the 21 inch front rim I can't see what the Hoo Hah is. He's not hurting anybody and it's his bike. Today you can easily spend enough on a WLA to have way more money invested in it than you will ever get for it... The best way to get  a good one is to buy a good one. There's no shortage of them here. Later restorations may have non original parts. I've never seen a non original part that was superior to an original.  The latest  repro mudguards  have become acceptable for quality and look.  As I said the original star hubs  used on the rear have been all used up. There are repros at a cost that are OK but don't have the "Look". That seat was very IN  with the civilianised WD surplus bikes the went on the road just after the war .  The seat sits further back than the Military one does.  I have a mate who has on still in the crate.. They were treated with tropic proof Waxes to inhibit them from corrosion. Nev

[willedoo]

A Wooden Indian, not the cigar type.

 

[willedoo]

Found an old mph Smiths speedo in rat bike condition which might be a contender. It's fairly big; about an inch bigger dimeter than a W or U series Harley speedo. I've got 5 gallon split taks so it will depend on the final fitment of those tanks whether or not the speedo will fit between the filler caps in a tank console.

 

 

 

[nomadpete]

31 minutes ago, willedoo said:

Found an old mph Smiths speedo in rat bike condition which might be a contender. It's fairly big; about an inch bigger dimeter than a W or U series Harley speedo. I've got 5 gallon split taks so it will depend on the final fitment of those tanks whether or not the speedo will fit between the filler caps in a tank console.

 

 

 

Looks rather Morris Minor. Got the patina you want.

[willedoo]

1 hour ago, nomadpete said:

Looks rather Morris Minor. Got the patina you want.

Spot on Pete, that's what it is.

[Marty_d]

I like how it only goes to 99,999 miles.

Did they not expect cars to do more than 100,000 back then?

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Marty_d

[nomadpete]

30 minutes ago, Marty_d said:

I like how it only goes to 99,999 miles.

Did they not expect cars to do more than 100,000 back then?

 

 

Young pup!

 

Nobody expected a car to last 100,000 so there was no need for a bigger odometer.

 

I had a friend who took a photo of his Holden odo rolling over to zero - but the car was on it's second engine.

[nomadpete]

A mate had a Mini Moke Californian with inentical speedo. I remember the day well. I had my left leg in plaster from a bike accident so it was stuck out the side. To say I felt a bit vulnerable would be an understatement.  He wound it out til the needle was on the Full mark on the fuel gauge. Then a XJ Jag breezed past us like we were standing still!

 

Sorry for the thread drift, but the Pic of a rusty old speedo lit up ma mrmory cell. 

[nomadpete]

Have you got an engine for your trike yet? I know where you might get a nice light alloy Buick/Rover V8....