So I picked up another abandoned project, 1956 ish James K7 not a Commando I suspect but probably started out as Cotswold? Anyhoo, previous owner had bought all the right bits, but never got around to putting it together. He is a talented engineer, however, and fabricated the Anglian style exhaust from stainless and ali sheet, also footrest hangers and rear brake pedal.
Long story short, Villiers 8E with period Ajax Pearson barrel and head, bored to 66mm (246cc), I used a modified 32A piston (shortened skirt by 10mm, matched transfer ports). 9E clutch conversion supplied by Paul Powell (Cotton Services), Electrexworld ignition.
I fitted Suzuki GN125 fork legs from AJS Andover via Ebay, using Ceriani (allegedly) yokes Standard 5" BHC hubs laced to alloy rims (already done), the NJB rear shocks were in good order but 20mm too short with the new slightly longer forks so I extended them by welding on the bottom mounting eyes from scrap pair, which restored the correct geometry and saved me £100 + for a new pair!
It came with a battered TY175 tank which I managed to get back to usable condition, coach enamel paint courtesy of Craftmaster, Crimson Lake a reasonable match for the original James colour.
I have yet to ride it, other than round the garden, (she still won't let me try it over the rockery) but had to fit a 1.5mm thick head gasket to drop the compression ratio, it was over 10:1 and felt / ran like it! now a sensible (for trials) 7.49:1.
It's nice and light, as befits an aging arthritic, so looking forward to giving it a go
Long story short, Villiers 8E with period Ajax Pearson barrel and head, bored to 66mm (246cc), I used a modified 32A piston (shortened skirt by 10mm, matched transfer ports). 9E clutch conversion supplied by Paul Powell (Cotton Services), Electrexworld ignition.
I fitted Suzuki GN125 fork legs from AJS Andover via Ebay, using Ceriani (allegedly) yokes Standard 5" BHC hubs laced to alloy rims (already done), the NJB rear shocks were in good order but 20mm too short with the new slightly longer forks so I extended them by welding on the bottom mounting eyes from scrap pair, which restored the correct geometry and saved me £100 + for a new pair!
It came with a battered TY175 tank which I managed to get back to usable condition, coach enamel paint courtesy of Craftmaster, Crimson Lake a reasonable match for the original James colour.
I have yet to ride it, other than round the garden, (she still won't let me try it over the rockery) but had to fit a 1.5mm thick head gasket to drop the compression ratio, it was over 10:1 and felt / ran like it! now a sensible (for trials) 7.49:1.
It's nice and light, as befits an aging arthritic, so looking forward to giving it a go
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