Beachcomber's TR1 - now "Cafe-Creme" Boardtracker 'ish
- Thread starter beachcomber
- Start date
Just when I thought I was getting the sidecar thoughts out of my mind ........................
Black Widow by Putsch Racing
Black Widow by Putsch Racing
A very small bit of progress - but I'm taking what I can get.
My pal AC got his guy to plasma cut my Shell-Mex petrol can down - see strip removed.
The plan is to use the base as a ...... er base and then place the battery on the base and put the ECU etc in the top section of the can and use that to hide all the modern electrics. For something that's 70 years old it's in pretty good condition inside ! Imagine the inside of a 20 year old bike tank ....
I'll put a couple of loops on the top of the tank to take a leather strap and buckle to hold it all in place [ like a bonnet strap ] then I'll line the inside of the tank with thin close cell foam to avoid any possible shorts.
Also here's an assortment of Brass screw caps. I'll use a Shell-Mex on the can, but not sure about the oil filler on the tank. I plan to cut the ears off that so as to avoid the "oh there's another brass petrol can cap". :
I have got another Shell-Mex, Shell, Redline [ like that ! ] and the ubiquitous Pratts.
My pal AC got his guy to plasma cut my Shell-Mex petrol can down - see strip removed.
The plan is to use the base as a ...... er base and then place the battery on the base and put the ECU etc in the top section of the can and use that to hide all the modern electrics. For something that's 70 years old it's in pretty good condition inside ! Imagine the inside of a 20 year old bike tank ....
I'll put a couple of loops on the top of the tank to take a leather strap and buckle to hold it all in place [ like a bonnet strap ] then I'll line the inside of the tank with thin close cell foam to avoid any possible shorts.
Also here's an assortment of Brass screw caps. I'll use a Shell-Mex on the can, but not sure about the oil filler on the tank. I plan to cut the ears off that so as to avoid the "oh there's another brass petrol can cap". :
I have got another Shell-Mex, Shell, Redline [ like that ! ] and the ubiquitous Pratts.
Hoosier Daddy
Earache my eye...
Huh... things you learn.
I didn't know Shell and BP were related.
Around here BP is an Amoco thing.
Wonder if that goes all the way back to the Rockefeller Standard Oil Company break-up...
I didn't know Shell and BP were related.
Around here BP is an Amoco thing.
Wonder if that goes all the way back to the Rockefeller Standard Oil Company break-up...
Hoosier Daddy said:
Not sure about the North American history, but here in the UK the "BP" was a brand of Shell-Mex "British Petroleum". For many years Brits would proudly buy the BP, thinking it was British. A bit like people saying they're "buying British" when they buy a Jaguar, Range Rover, Vauxhall, Ford .......................
OK, clear on the "Steampunk" now......... it's been suggested that Cafe Creme was erring towards Steampunk, and as I had no idea what that menat in reality - I asked the question. I now have that clarified and NO, Cafe Creme is not going to be "Steampunk'd".
All the Brass bits and bobs are period 1920's Brass [ mainly ] equipment that will either be used in it's original format [ eg hand oil pump ] or modified - eg the Brass grease gun which will be used as a fuel log.
Not sure how to define the Brass enema pump ??????????????
Struggling to find a suitable "quadrant / gate" for the hand change - ideas ?
All the Brass bits and bobs are period 1920's Brass [ mainly ] equipment that will either be used in it's original format [ eg hand oil pump ] or modified - eg the Brass grease gun which will be used as a fuel log.
Not sure how to define the Brass enema pump ??????????????
Struggling to find a suitable "quadrant / gate" for the hand change - ideas ?
Shell-Mex and BP had a joint marketing arrangement in the UK known as Shell-Mex BP and it was created in 1932 and dissolved in 76 according to Wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell-Mex_and_BP_Ltd
Other countries did not have that joint marketing organization and both companies sold through their own distribution systems.
IIRC, BP and AMOCO "merged" in the early nineties. AMOCO was part of Standard Oil.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell-Mex_and_BP_Ltd
Other countries did not have that joint marketing organization and both companies sold through their own distribution systems.
IIRC, BP and AMOCO "merged" in the early nineties. AMOCO was part of Standard Oil.
I only really started soaking up what I was being taught when I joined the real World - everything before that was "get the bloody certificates Son". All 12 of them [ GCE "O"and "A" level ]. THEN I realised that my "certificates" would take me on a career path I wasn't interested in - although my Father was! When I was 17 I switched to an engineering direction which led me through Uni and on to AMI Mech E [ Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering ]. That was five more years AFTER my official schooling was finished.
That was all a good grounding, but again - the real learning came once I was working at the sharp end of engineering design. Served me well. Just wish I'd paid more attention in Latin classes - might have broadened my ability to swear in Latin !!
Today with the internet / Wiki etc. it makes me wonder if I was born too soon enough ? But if I'd been born later - I wouldn't have been there in the 60's with my Cafe Racers !! ;D
That was all a good grounding, but again - the real learning came once I was working at the sharp end of engineering design. Served me well. Just wish I'd paid more attention in Latin classes - might have broadened my ability to swear in Latin !!
Today with the internet / Wiki etc. it makes me wonder if I was born too soon enough ? But if I'd been born later - I wouldn't have been there in the 60's with my Cafe Racers !! ;D
Won a 19" alloy rim today - good nick - 2.15" wide.
I already have a pair of steel rimmed XS650 rims - AND an alloy rimmed XS650 rear.
Now there's a choice. Either way the wheels will be powder coated Cream to match, tank, guards etc.
What do we think ? Alloy rims or steel ? 8)
I already have a pair of steel rimmed XS650 rims - AND an alloy rimmed XS650 rear.
Now there's a choice. Either way the wheels will be powder coated Cream to match, tank, guards etc.
What do we think ? Alloy rims or steel ? 8)
Steel it is then ........... :
The alloy rim had a real ding in it, so that made my mind up for me.
The alloy rim had a real ding in it, so that made my mind up for me.
Back on the sidecar trail. Tripped over this little gem.
A bit of vision is required here. Lose the "door", maybe extend the boot area forward a bit. Brooklands screen. It IS a bit Stoye looking. Maybe has a chance. Alloy body over Ash frame [ both in good condition ]
Actually there's TWO currently for sale, and both sellers have dillusions of their worth. One is at £500, the other "around £700". £222.22 will be my limit and I'm currently the top bidder at £112 !
The Stoye 2 would be my actual choice very closely followed by the Brooklands Meteor.
Parts starting to get made now and wheels [ steel ] off for blasting in 3 weeks' time. Should have the Brass "Shell-Mex" gas cap back with ears machined off next week.
A bit of vision is required here. Lose the "door", maybe extend the boot area forward a bit. Brooklands screen. It IS a bit Stoye looking. Maybe has a chance. Alloy body over Ash frame [ both in good condition ]
Actually there's TWO currently for sale, and both sellers have dillusions of their worth. One is at £500, the other "around £700". £222.22 will be my limit and I'm currently the top bidder at £112 !
The Stoye 2 would be my actual choice very closely followed by the Brooklands Meteor.
Parts starting to get made now and wheels [ steel ] off for blasting in 3 weeks' time. Should have the Brass "Shell-Mex" gas cap back with ears machined off next week.
Hoosier Daddy
Earache my eye...
Very cool, I was going to suggest a certain style of windscreen but thought I should check out you "Brooklands style" first to see what it was.
HA that is exactly the style I was going to suggest, never knew there was a proper name for the bug catchers seen on old speedster Alfa / Bugatti / Lotus 7 etc.
HA that is exactly the style I was going to suggest, never knew there was a proper name for the bug catchers seen on old speedster Alfa / Bugatti / Lotus 7 etc.
I still keep coming back to this style of body - I've already bought one of these chassis - £50 [ $85 ?].
Body is reputed to have been modelled from a Mosquito [ WW2 aircraft ] drop tank !
Body is reputed to have been modelled from a Mosquito [ WW2 aircraft ] drop tank !
My sidecar chassis arrives in the next few days - the same as the one above [ Goodwood Meteor ]. Someone has modified the hub at some point to an Indespension unit. I think I can disguise that though.
My first choice is definitely for the Meteor now, I'll be keeping my eyes open.
Once the chassis arrives I can have a rough mock up to see how to integrate the Boardtracker frame / concept. I'm bidding on a rough [ but salvageable ] 1930's sidecar lamp / handhold that fitted on the mudguard.
The engine unit is off the ramp now and has been power washed ready for wrinkle paint.
My first choice is definitely for the Meteor now, I'll be keeping my eyes open.
Once the chassis arrives I can have a rough mock up to see how to integrate the Boardtracker frame / concept. I'm bidding on a rough [ but salvageable ] 1930's sidecar lamp / handhold that fitted on the mudguard.
The engine unit is off the ramp now and has been power washed ready for wrinkle paint.
Sidecar chassis arrived a few weeks back - just as the Midlands had 10" snow ! Tucked away temporarily and I'm back to planning the chassis etc.
Had quite a few productive days after the snow cleared [ floods now : ] and sold off a few more unwanted parts to boost the projects funds. One of the guys who collected stuff today has put me in touch with his machinist who apparantly is both speedy and reasonably priced. Rare combination.
He also uses avery good exhaust man, who has recently branched out into frame making. He's only 20 miles up the road, so I'm off to see him next week to talk my projects through.
This weekend will be spent having a final box up of all the parts for Passivating [ Gold ], Polishing and powder coating. Feels like some progress at last.
Had quite a few productive days after the snow cleared [ floods now :
] and sold off a few more unwanted parts to boost the projects funds. One of the guys who collected stuff today has put me in touch with his machinist who apparantly is both speedy and reasonably priced. Rare combination.He also uses avery good exhaust man, who has recently branched out into frame making. He's only 20 miles up the road, so I'm off to see him next week to talk my projects through.
This weekend will be spent having a final box up of all the parts for Passivating [ Gold ], Polishing and powder coating. Feels like some progress at last.
beachcomber said:Sidecar chassis arrived a few weeks back - just as the Midlands had 10" snow ! Tucked away temporarily and I'm back to planning the chassis etc.
Had quite a few productive days after the snow cleared [ floods now :
He also uses avery good exhaust man, who has recently branched out into frame making. He's only 20 miles up the road, so I'm off to see him next week to talk my projects through.
This weekend will be spent having a final box up of all the parts for Passivating [ Gold ], Polishing and powder coating. Feels like some progress at last.
I just had a nice read up on all your posts. Thanks.
As a 'flood expert' I always look on amazed when I see the footage of floods on the other side of the North sea. They are not that hard to prevent
Keep up the good work!
miob said:I just had a nice read up on all your posts. Thanks.
As a 'flood expert' I always look on amazed when I see the footage of floods on the other side of the North sea. They are not that hard to prevent
Keep up the good work!
You're more than welcome.
The UK seems to cope badly with any extremes of weather ! 2 cms snow and every other driver becomes a mobile chicane or an accident waiting to happen. It's only in recent years [ 15 ] that flood defences have been put up along our most vulnerable river areas. Some East Coast areas have also had [ minimal ] defences erected after the disaster of 1953 when over 350 lives were lost in the floods. London of course has the famous Thames Barrier - but it is well documented it is near it's limits given the ever risiing sea levels and erosion of land.
Over in the "Lowlands" you have a greater respect for and answer to the sea and it's power.
I recently saw an aerial photo of the Normandy landings in June 1944, including some wider ranging shots around Caen / Cabourg. This is part of my ongoing research into the actions of my Uncle Harold who died during the breakout in August '44. It was like an inland sea for many kilometers where the Germans had opened sluice gates from the sea to the canal system, which then flooded the surrounding areas to a depth of 2 metres +.
This was in an effort to hamper the anticipated parachute and glider landings - it worked with many of the paras drowning before they even got into action.
BTW - what's the prices of TR1 / XV's like these days? I'm still planning a trip over sometime !
