The Restorers Colony Sidevalve Motorcycle Build
At first glance this motorcycle appears to be a giant plastic Airfix model, but is, in fact, a real motorcycle built from genuine Colony parts to showcase their fine of products.
THIS bike is assembled entirely with Colony Machine hardware, produced to exacting standards to replace missing or damaged nuts, bolts, screws and various fasteners. No details have been missed in producing these products which are exact duplicates of the original hardware in every way.
Although many people think these bikes can be assembled from locally sourced hardware, this is not the case. Here are some examples…
Head Bolts:
Colony produces many head bolts for all Harley-Davidsons and for this engine alone there is a choice of six different types. They all have the same unique 7/16—14 thread which is half way between UNF and UNC and comes in a choice of three finishes: chrome, cadmium and parkerised.
Two different head lengths are offered to cover cast iron or deep finned aluminium heads.
Timing Cover Screws:
The screws that secure the timing cover on most Harley-Davidsons from early 1930’s to the late 1960’s also have a special thread, ¼—24, which again is half way between UNF and UNC and is kind to aluminium. They have a raised (oval) head with their own countersink angle, straight slotted for a regular screwdriver, and come in the three finishes.
Chain Adjusters:
Fully threaded adjuster bolts for maximum travel, and are small as original to accept a small wrench and come complete with locknuts.
Although not fasteners as such there are many items in the Colony line-up to assist the restorer. Perfectly duplicated brackets, clamps and clips are stamped as original to replace those previously difficult-to-find missing pieces. These include all the correct spring-loaded clips to secure the wiring harness to the frame, correct clips to install speedometer cables in perfect alignment, and brackets to support all the Linkert carburettors.
Restoring all aspects of the electrical system is also well covered. Colony does not manufacture the actual wiring harness but does all the difficult little pieces required to do a professional job installing it. Extensive kits to rebuild dash bases, terminal boards, ignition timers are well catered for with all the correct fillister headed screws, fibre washers, brass clips, rivets, etc.
A similar approach is taken with the fuel delivery system with everything available to overhaul not only the Linkert carburettor, but fuel line connectors and fuel shutoff components.
Some of the pieces available for these superb carburettors include mounting screws, manifold nuts and seals, all special screws and plugs throughout, knurled adjusting knobs, venturi’s, needles and seats, air cleaner mounting hardware, to mention a few.
Finally a few behind the scenes items that play an important part of an overall build include high-tensile crankpin nuts, stamped lock-plates with their special screws, tappet screws and locknuts, and an extensive range of special high-tensile nuts for assembly of the crankshaft.
Kits are also available for overhauling clutch components such as the clutch arm and pushrod.
Article submitted by Richard Nicholls
