The Lockwood spring heel conversion

Generally this blog does not feature scans of magazine articles. This however is information that won't be seen anywhere else and is such an obscurity that it deserves publishing.

In the early post-WWII years rear springing conversions were a burgeoning business. The McCandless (from the same folks that brought you the Norton Featherbed frame) one was the best known and possibly the best designed and made. There were numerous others around, this being one. The conversion was made by Monty Lockwood of Ipswich and was billed as being half the price of a McCandless conversion. In all honesty so it should be as the McCandless job was a conversion to a full swinging arm and the Lockwood is a pair of plungers cut and shut on to the existing rear triangle.

Time was you would see quite a lot of restoration project bikes come up for sale with rear spring conversions. These bike were generally unloved and a lot cheaper than factory spec bikes. Most of them got restored back to factory spec. It is nowadays rare to see a machine with period aftermarket rear springing and they are beginning to be appreciated for what they are and retained when a bike is restored. Good job too as they are an interesting avenue of motorcycle history.

The below is copied from the Motor Cyclist's National News vol 1 number 2 March 1949.

The Monty Lockwood spring heel
conversion as modelled on an Ariel
Red Hunter.

Flat tank Sunbeam combo

Early to mid-twenties Sunbeam combination. The picture was taken in Bournemouth, UK, and for those nerdy enough to care the EL pre-fix on the reg plate is a Bournemouth designation. Check here for a listing of British number plate area codes.

The note on the back of the picture reads, "On bike Reg Bullen, pillion Wilf, sidecar Dena's grandfather."

These old pictures invite the mind to imagine the lives of others. Given the period it's more than likely that these guys were all First World War veterans. Reg Bullen is dressed slightly unusually and less formally than the norm for the period, he wears a roll-neck mariners jumper and a navy pea jacket with a carnation in the button hole. Perhaps he was a navy lad based out of Portsmouth or nearby Portland?

Early to mid twenties Sunbeam sidecar
combination in Bournemouth.

Autowheeling to Brighton

There's been a slight shed re-alignment of late. My Wall Autowheel / Raleigh x-frame combo found a new home with fellow Sunbeam MCC member John Joseph. The Wall had an entry in the Pioneer Run but work dictated that I was unable to ride. I was genuinely chuffed that I was able to pass stewardship of the machine on to John in time for the run. John now has a pair of Autowheels and lent his new one to a friend who successfully piloted it all the way down to Brighton. That's four Pioneers completed in as many attempts, never fully without issue but not a bad record for a tiny atmospheric inlet motor that is over one hundred years old.

A wonderful facet of our hobby is the folks you get to meet. The vintage world is inhabited by a range of interesting and individualistic characters: you have after all got to be of a different cut to the norm to take pleasure in riding and fettling obsolete machinery. John is an artist and vintage enthusiast. It is well worth taking a look at his website for a sample of his work - http://jnjart.co.uk/  

John on the right with his Humber / Autowheel
combo and the Raleigh / Autowheel is on the
left with pilot for the day, Sam.

Springtime

Spring has well and truly sprung down in Southern England. Enjoying getting out on the Dominator, can't believe now I was considering selling it. Here's to a glorious riding season.

Ambassador Super S 1959

Ambassador's brochure for their new Super S model for the 1959 season.

Ambassador Super S brochure front page.

Ambassador Super S brochure pages 2 and 3.

Ambassador Super S brochure pages 3 and 4.

Ambassador Super S brochure pages 5 and 6.

Ambassador Super S brochure rear page.

An Awkward Hill

A steep old hill for a veteran and no doubt, the postcard claims it is however a genuine image. I'd have a guess at the bike being a Rover c1914 fitted with an Armstrong hub gear. Here's the text from the card:

front side:
642 Motor Cycling in Lakeland
"An awkward hill"
(Abraham's Series)

on rear:
This card is an actual photograph by G. P. Abraham, Ltd.
Keswick (Copyright)

The card was posted in 1924.

Veteran Rover making an impressive climb.

postscript: I've heard from Pete of Occhio Lungo that he reckons the bike is a Premier. Rover was an educated guess on my part so I'm happy to go with a positive identification on Premier. Thanks for the contact Pete. 

VMCC Shepton Mallet Autojumble March 2016

The VMCC Shepton Mallet Autojumble is one of the best parts fairs going at the moment and has been for some time. Stalls are fairly priced so plenty of enthusiasts come along to have a clearout, that means interesting parts for sale and that brings the punters in. Combine that with the fact that you always know you are going to see plenty of folks you know to have a natter with it's a good day out, so good that you can forgive the drafty agricultural showground that it is held in. At least the halls don't stink any more of sheep turd like they used to. Here's a small mish-mash of gems that caught the eye from a few hours of wandering...

Late thirties Sunbeam Lion side valve would make a nice easy
and sophisticated pre-war runabout.

This was my star of show. Extremely original unrestored early
thirties BSA. Sadly I'm not sure of the model. It would be
criminal to restore it. Not cheap at £6500 but really not too
bad either condition considered. Personally I'd far rather
have this one than something shiny.

Early twenties New Hudson two stroke
represented an ambitious project.

JAP in a box.

Have always had a soft spot for Excelsior Talisman Twins,
maybe that's because I have never owned one or perhaps
they are indeed wonderous machines.

Take your pick of pre-war Villiers motors.

For a while you couldn't more for pre-war French bikes recently
imported to the UK. The tide seems to be slowing.

Lovely unrestored Cotton Telstar racer sold quickly.

This pair of recently imported ironhead Sportsters caught
the eye. One from '76 and the other a '69.

Those Sportsters again. The '76 to the fore. The '69 one
really appealed, maybe it's just as well that I had no spare
cash...

The '69 Sportster motor in all its glory.