Ghost rider on a Quadrant

I've become something of a Quadrant enthusiast being lucky owner of two of them. As is often the way of these things my Quadrant ownership was slightly accidental rather than the culmination of a lifelong ambition. Now I've experienced the marque I've developed an appreciation for them as well engineered and quality machines. So, nowadays, I search out Quadrant related material wherever I can find it, even if in somewhat poor condition. Such is the case with the below snap - double exposed, but at least the bike is still visible.

As best I can work out the Quadrant depicted is a 1906 model (though possibly 1905), the exhaust seems to be different from the 1906 example pictured further down otherwise the bike seems identical.

1906 Quadrant with half a rider.

1906 Quadrant image from:
http://www.ampthillimages.com/Media/Motorcycles-Gall./pages/Quadrant.4318.html

Quadrant Motor Cycles 1924

It's been a little while since any brochures were added to the RDM library so to make up here is a very tasty one. The Quadrant range for 1924.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure front cover.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 1.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 2.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 3.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 4.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 5.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 6.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 7.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 8.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 9.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 10.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 11.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 12.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 13.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 14.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 15.

1924 Quadrant Motor Cycles brochure page 16.

Bikes and bits for sale

I've decided it's time to have a bit of a change around in the shed. There's couple of machines I know of for sale at the moment I'm interested in and a decided lack of money in the pocket so here we go. If you are interested in anything just get in touch and send me a mail or Facebook message.

1914 Wall Autowheel - SOLD

It's a genuine 1914 machine, not a restamped later BSA made engine! Comes with a Pioneer Certificate and an entry in to this year's Pioneer Run. I was planning on selling it after the Run but annoyingly I'm now going to miss it because of work so it seems like a good idea to let someone else have a go.

This is frankly a terrible picture of it but it is all I have at the moment as I am away from home. The bike will come prepared and ready to use. It is, depending on how you look at it, either a very cheap pioneer machine or a very expensive cyclemotor. The bicycle is a rather desirable Raleigh Cross Frame. I've also got a Royal Enfield Girder Frame that the Wall would go on nicely should you so choose or you could take it with a BSA Ladies All Weather that needs a little work for a discount on the price. 

The Wall is unrestored but all original, it has done three successful Pioneers in recent years. I've had it around ten years and it is on an age related plate.

1914 Wall Autowheel for sale. Wheel now solidly attached!

1904 Quadrant Forecar engine
Not many of these out there. Needs a little work and there are a few missing parts. I bought a similar engine for my '04 Quadrant motorcycle for £750 so that seems like a fair price for the forecar motor.

Meddings Pillar Drill - SOLD
I've recently replaced the Meddings with a Kerry, not so sure why, I just liked the Kerry a little bit more.

BSA B31 / B33 / A7 / A10 / Gold Star swinging arm gearbox
Came out of a running bike, worked fine but is not inspected. Very clean. Standard ratios. £250

Sturmey Archer CS gearbox - no longer available
Currently in pieces for inspection but complete and in sound condition. Cases matching. Earlier fine gear type a la Triumph H.

Elswick Hopper Lincoln Imp bicycle
Original paint, frame 23 inch size. Fitted with Sturmey Archer Steelite hub brakes and three speed. Ready to ride. Nice. £375

Elswick Hopper Lincoln Imp for sale.

Norton Dominator 99SS 1961 - no longer available. Decided to keep it!
I've owned this bike six or seven years and it's had plenty of use. A first kick starter and so far faultlessly reliable. Quite honestly the best British bike I've ever had. A very good example of a fine motorycle. The 600 Norton represents British motorcycle engineering at its peak. Plenty of power, not overstretched and vibratory, really sweet and well mannered with superb handling. Very original condition and rather rare. The 99SS was a one year model built when Norton realised that they needed a sports model but before they had developed the 650ss. Differs from the standard Dommie in having twin carbs (currently running on single but I have the twin set up to go with the bike), a siamese exhaust, sports cam and rev counter. This example has featured in The Classic Motorcycle Magazine 'Authentic and Unrestored' series.
I've taken it on many long runs with no bother at all, most memorably to the Vintage Revival at Montlhery, a day return trip to Founders Day (nearly 400 miles in one day) and on the Moto Piston Picos tour in Spain a couple of years ago. It can potter along on a Sunday run or cruise 75 to 80 in comfort.
The bike is fitted with a high output alternator, halogen bulbs, a stainless exhaust down pipe, a Bob Newby belt drive and clutch, Doherty alloy racing levers and throttle.
Now I write it all down, not too sure why I am selling it or even if I want to! The money I am asking is high end for a Dominator but it is less than for a 650SS for a rarer bike and it really is good. You could spend a grand less and get something not half as good. You pays your money you takes your choice....

Norton Dominator 99SS.

Royal Enfield J2 1940
I originally imported this J2 from India a bit over 10 years ago. It went to a friend shortly after coming in to the country and then around five years ago I bought it back. It was originally sold via a dealer in Liverpool and as far as I know went straight to India. It must have been one of the last civilian bikes sold during the war. It is a bit of a scruff but solid and on the road. I've been slowly improving it in my ownership and it is now fairly sorted. Could probably do with new valve guides as folks following have reported a slight haze. It had a new piston quite recently. A set of new rims would tart it up considerably. I've fitted the J2 with an Esway prop stand which is a boon as this is a very heavy beast. In fact it is a large bike overall, the experience isn't disimilar from riding a v-twin of the era. The handle bars are original but it could do with pulled back ones to make it a little bit less of a stretch. I've just recently put sealant in the petrol tank and new ethanol proof petrol taps in. It is ready to use though can be treated as a rolling project. I suspect the upswept exhausts are not right as they interfere with the toolboxes, look great though! Not absolutely sure of what it is worth, in a dealers in better condition it would be an £8,000 bike but I am not a dealer and this J2 is no show machine. £Offers.

1940 Royal Enfield J2.

1904 Quadrant project

In the last few weeks the mortal remains of a 1904 Quadrant have found a new home in my workshop. Obviously this is a very heavy project but one I reckon is quite achievable. I've had a fascination with the early pioneer machines for a while now and building one up from this starting point was pretty much going to be the only way that I could ever lay my hands on one.

What I've got is a frame, a complete engine without ignition or carburation but with some spares and drawings for a petrol tank. Given that most parts for bikes of this age bar the engine and frame were generic I think I have a good chance in finding appropriate parts or fabricating what I can't find. 

In its day the Quadrant was a sporting mount, in 1903 Tom Silver (in the picture below) set a new record for riding from John O' Groats to Lands End and then set off on a 6000 mile ride around Southern Africa. How wild would it be to try and replicate that journey! More on Tom Silver's exploits on the Go-Faster site.

Looking on the positive side, coming across a machine in this condition can allow a certain laissez-faire attitude in bringing it back to life; you don't have to be too precious about using it because no matter what beatings you meter out to it you can relax in the knowledge that you are not damaging an irreplaceable original antique.

Finally, it goes without saying that if you have any parts that may be useful please do get in touch. There's plenty to find...

1904 Quadrant project.

This is what it will hopefully end up like, Tom Silver with his
Quadrant in 1903.

Veteran Quadrant

Early photo of a Quadrant from around 1903 / 4.

1903 / 1904 veteran Quadrant.

1919 Quadrant flat tanker

In the immortal words of Britney Spears, 'Whoops I did it again'. The 'I need a Vincent' fighting fund was going well with two bikes sold and hitting something like a huge 5% of the funds required!! Then I saw this vintage Quadrant for sale on ebay for about the same money as I had in the bike savings account, put in a bored at work bid and ended up buying it. Not that I regret it at all, the bike is a cracker.

It's a 1919 Quadrant 4.5 HP (by my reckoning 550cc). The engine is unusual in that it has the inlet valve behind the cylinder barrel and the exhaust valve to the side. It seems like the machine may be a sole survivor, it's a bit of a factory parts bin special. Quadrant ceased production of motorcycles during the First World War in 1915 and resumed post-war in 1919. This particular machine seems to be a mix of pre and post-war parts. Much of the bike, including frame is of 1915 style but it is fitted with a Sturmey Archer CS three speed gearbox and chain drive.

The Quadrant is largely complete, just a couple of levers missing, part of the rear brake mechanism and the front stirrup brakes. There are a couple of other projects on the go in the shed so this one is going to go on the backburner for a short while until at least one other project is completed. 

The Quadrant as it has passed to my stewardship.

The Quadrant 30 odd years ago.