1952 plunger flash

[tombeau]

I'm looking at the blue paint on it Anji, and wondering if that bike was a military/police bike originally or was it tarted up at a later date by its owner?
Its looking good now though.
Cheers,
Iain

[anjimehra]

Hi Iain

No Iain, it wasnt a forces or police bike, but was painted grey by the previous owner.It has been through a huge amount of Trauma in the past 17 years, havimg caught fire & then left outdoors in the Bombay monsoons without plugs & oil & petrol caps . It took my son & me 3 weeks to get the pistons out !!!!!!!
But its been great fun restoring her
Take care
Anji

[LJ.]

Now that photo of the two guys lying on the floor, one with his leg raised and with foot on the plunger part... HAS to be the picture of the year! parts strewn around on the floor and looking really into it. Great stuff lads!

But who is the lady with something in her eye? Is she crying because of neglect while her men folk are over indulging in their motorcycle activities?

[rocket man]

i must say are the other bikes yours if they are i envy you love
the arial square four

[anjimehra]

Hi Rocketman
Yes the bikes are mine. Have had the Sq 4 since 1984 & restored her in 1988. The other bikes seen are A 1957 Matchless G9, 1960 Super Rocket, 1972 Honda 350 4, 1961 Norton Dommi. & some Enfields.
Also have a 1937 Velocette 500 MSS & a Norton Inter 500 plunger + a few others.Started collecting them in the early seventies when they were cheap, but cant afford to buy any nowadays.
Take care
Anji

[anjimehra]

Hi LJ
Will pass on your comments to my son. He is the official store keeper & chief mechanic for anything below waist level !!!!!!!

The lady with something in her eye is my wife & she gave up protesting decades back. Especially after Asheesh ( son ) also got bitten by the bug.By the way, shes from your part of the world ( Loughborough )
but has been in India since 1965.
Keep in touch & take care
Anji

[LJ.]

Lucky lady living out there, There are many places out in India where I'd love to live. I guess she/memsahib must have gone out there in the 'Hippy' days? I spend my hippy days  around India in 1982 although the cult was largely over by then. Twice I rode around on the back of an Enfield and an old Matchless around New Delhi and Madurai. I wonder how much it has changed? Those were the days when there were sixteen Rupees to the pound. Lotta fond memories!

Cheers Anji

[anjimehra]

Hi LJ
Yes, she came to India in the heydays of the Hippie Cult in 1965. I also came back from UK in 1965 but overland on my BSA Super Rocket. Great fun. Didnt want her to come on the bike for various reasons !!!! so she came by ship. I think it took 2 weeks from Marseilles to Bombay & then 2 days by train to my home up North, about 250 kms North of Delhi. How long were you in India in 1982 & where did you visit.
When I left UK the pound was Rs 12 & my whole trip to India over 3 months & approx 18000 kms cost me a princely 120 pounds. I had to work a 12 hour shift on the MI near Loughborough to earn this.

Attaching a few photos of my trip back. Keep in touch & take care
Anji

[anjimehra]

Hi guys
heres a couple more photos of the restoration.The rear mudguard & the plunger shrouds were made here in Pune as none available & the old ones had big holes in them. Waiting to bend & fit the bend pipes & silencers & locate a dynamo chain & shes ready to fire.
Take care & safe riding
Anji

[anjimehra]

Hi guys
Back again after spending almost a month & a half sorting out the bend pipes & silencer. First attempt at remote bending was way off the mark. Had to load the bike onto a truck, down to the workshop & finally everything fitted on !!!. Off to the plater & back on the bike on Monday.

Finally filled up oil, kicked her over a few times minus the plugs till the oil came back to the tank. Petrol can hanging from the handle bars & she was ready to go. Fired up on the 4th kick & settled down to a reasonably smooth idle. Had left the tappets slightly on the loose side & will readjust them tomorrow. Tank is also back after a complete rebuild & teflon lining.

A little rattle from the timing gear. Suspect the relief valve not allowing any oil to the timing chest & cam shaft. Have replaced the original ball & spring with one from e bay.

Anji

 

[blackbikemike]

Looking great, utter respect for having to unseize the pistons then reuse them. I bow to you sir