Well hello to you all

Too bad that bike and project didn't stay in NY I have a few bits that are left from the bike in my picture over to the left. Not sure if any would be of help but am afraid the cost to get them to you would be rather high!

Actually taking a second look at your bike it does look a bit better that the one I have some bits left from.
Wow any parts would be most welcome but as you say, USA to UK is expensive postal wise I believe, although I've never asked. So what have you got on the go now
 
It's a 1929 500cc.... stuffed in a Motobecane (French) unit... common back in the day.. the brit's provided engines for many other makers….mostly bicycle manufactures try'n to convert to motorcycles.
My machinist …. has went above and beyond... had to send the crank assembly to your side of the pond to be rebuilt because no one here can do that style of bearings and rod work. We found that a Pinto piston fits perfectly.... My " pilgrim " oil meter-pump unit is suspect.... haven't found a replacement yet... the machinist thinks he can get mine to work.
This project is a bigger money pit then owning a boat …. :)View attachment 154100


I know a guy who's got two, and hundreds of other bikes and are including two 1916 rolls Royce, but he'll never part with them,,,,,,,I've swapped him a Honda for a 1965 Bsa c15
 
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Hi Mike its seized from sitting since 1982 when it was last on the road in New York, whats Blackburne engine bits pls
Hello. Moodubs. Welcome to the madhouse. That’s a project you have there. Looking forward to the restoration.
I think this has a Blackbourne Engine.
 
Blackburn valve.jpg Blackburn case bottom.jpg That previous post photo looks like a " Cotton ".... ..As seen in this post.. that's a big block Buick valve.. fits the valve seat... have to cut stem... notch for valve locks...
since I don't have a current project now.. (except Cushman engine rebuild.. it started to huff blue) I'm work'n with...and prodding.. my machinist guru.... he's retired... and enjoys the challenged. He said.." we'll have it running in the spring..".... But, I forgot to ask.., spring .. what year
 
G/Day Moodubs
Talk about a small world. i was born in Llangollen or rather on a farm in Rhydycroesau but as it was Denbishire (Clwyd) back then i had to be registered in Llangollen. I emigrated in 76 after selling my metallic orange XS2 Rego OAW 23M bought and registerd in Shrewsbury in 73 You've certainly found one of the best sites. There's a British site too but most are on both.
Oh happy days used to screw down the friction damper and thrash the XS2 up the Horseshoe Pass up to the Ponderosa Cafe.
 
G/Day Moodubs
Talk about a small world. i was born in Llangollen or rather on a farm in Rhydycroesau but as it was Denbishire (Clwyd) back then i had to be registered in Llangollen. I emigrated in 76 after selling my metallic orange XS2 Rego OAW 23M bought and registerd in Shrewsbury in 73 You've certainly found one of the best sites. There's a British site too but most are on both.
Oh happy days used to screw down the friction damper and thrash the XS2 up the Horseshoe Pass up to the Ponderosa Cafe.

How weird, yes I cant wait to get her on the road and go for a run up the ponderosa, I see you have 3 xs's
 
Well I finally got a couple of hours on the XS today, I'm on 24 hour call out until Monday morning, no no beers in the garage for me till then. I got to start stripping her down at last. I knew that the rear frame loop was rusted and split, but couldn't work out what the four pins sticking out were, until i realised that the previous owner had inserted a smaller pipe inside the main frame and hoop, and , wait for it, nailed the two pieces together. Never in my engineering life have i seen this before. Some serious blasting and welding to be done on this before powdercoat, which will hopefully be before Christmas. Oh and yes I know I need a massive sort out in the garage but I've been working on the house all week and everything's been tipped in here now, roll on Monday with a hot woodburner and a beer
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Welcome from Canada's sunny southern coast in Windsor, Ontario Moodubs!

My goodness, you've got yourself a bit of a ballgame there haven't you!

Well, not to worry, be methodical, stick at it and keep posting pictures and asking questions - and you will get there. That certainly is not the worst looking project seen on this forum and many of those bikes wind up in the annual calendar of pretty things!

Pete
 
and , wait for it, nailed the two pieces together.

Sh!ts of He!! - a nail?

Some of the wiring in my 1976 XS650C (the fearsome Lucille :yikes:) consisted of solid copper house wire assembled with Marette twist-on wire connectors.

Nonetheless, nailing a steel bike frame together really IS pretty weird - even for the proverbial "Previous Owner"!

Geeezzz Louise!
 
Well I managed to get some more stripped of her today but shes still seized after filling the pots with WD40 two weeks ago.

Its head off time me thinks

Have you tried putting the bike in fifth gear putting it on the centre-stand and rocking the rear wheel back and forth?

You might just break it loose that way...

When I bought my 1976 C-model, the engine was free but the clutch was seized as tight as a frozen turkey. I changed the oil, changed the clutch cable (the old one was nearly busted), lashed the clutch lever (which was totally frozen) to the handlebar with a bungee, put the bike in fifth gear and started doing the Fred Flintstone dance on the garage floor (wheels down obviously) in time to some rock and roll that was playing on the garage stereo.

Within about 20-30 minutes, I realized that I had migrated about 10-15 feet across the floor and there was no skid mark. I also noted that the clutch lever was much closer to the handlebar than it had been. After another few minutes, the clutch lever was contacting the handlebar and I could pretty much duck-walk around at-will. I propped the bike up on the centre-stand, sat down on my bum on the floor and started running the back wheel around. After another little while the clutch was completely free except for the usual amount of oil-drag.

Since then, aside from a top-end rebuild, I have put more than 11,000 miles on the bike and have not been inside the clutch basket at all.

Best of luck!

Pete
 
Have you tried putting the bike in fifth gear putting it on the centre-stand and rocking the rear wheel back and forth?

You might just break it loose that way...

When I bought my 1976 C-model, the engine was free but the clutch was seized as tight as a frozen turkey. I changed the oil, changed the clutch cable (the old one was nearly busted), lashed the clutch lever (which was totally frozen) to the handlebar with a bungee, put the bike in fifth gear and started doing the Fred Flintstone dance on the garage floor (wheels down obviously) in time to some rock and roll that was playing on the garage stereo.

Within about 20-30 minutes, I realized that I had migrated about 10-15 feet across the floor and there was no skid mark. I also noted that the clutch lever was much closer to the handlebar than it had been. After another few minutes, the clutch lever was contacting the handlebar and I could pretty much duck-walk around at-will. I propped the bike up on the centre-stand, sat down on my bum on the floor and started running the back wheel around. After another little while the clutch was completely free except for the usual amount of oil-drag.

Since then, aside from a top-end rebuild, I have put more than 11,000 miles on the bike and have not been inside the clutch basket at all.

Best of luck!

Pete
Hi thanks for the info I'll try it out when I get home tomorrow
 
Actually I used a lath/Sheetrock hammer on the shims. It’s back by the clutch in the picture. The rubber mallet was for beating on the jugs to help the shims.:laughing:
 
Acetone and Automatic tranny fluid 50-50, I hear is the best penetrant. I have used WD-40 and a piece of wood and some love taps from a medium sized ball peen hammer on stuck pistons with varying degrees of success.
 
When I tore into that motor I soaked it down with PB Blaster. Went to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night and felt like I was dying. Fumes were unbearable. Opened every door and window. Ceiling fans on high. It’s a miracle I didn’t kill the dog, the cat and myself. I’ll never use that stuff inside again.
 
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