Manufactured by Rudge-Whitworth, the ‘Ulster’ was essentially a racing motorcycle turned out as a production bike. It is a 500cc, single OHV. This one was produced in the last year of the model’s production.
This motorcycle still rides well.
Manufactured by Rudge-Whitworth, the ‘Ulster’ was essentially a racing motorcycle turned out as a production bike. It is a 500cc, single OHV. This one was produced in the last year of the model’s production.
This motorcycle still rides well.
The motorcycle with sidecar outfit was restored back in the 1980s and was fully operational. It was taken on a number of rallies with the family on board and undertook a road trip from Sydney to Perth and back. In between rallies, it was housed in Kevin’s garage until 2011 when it was moved to its current display stand at the National Motor Racing Museum in Bathurst.
The motorcycle has sustained minor damage from a leaking battery (which has since been removed from the battery case) and from an article recently falling onto the paintwork on the front mudguard.
The frame here is from 1918 and so is pre-Excelsior. It has the shorter footboards and was not fitted with the Excelsior brake system. As such, the frame would have been painted Henderson blue.
The engine is not the original but is a 1918 Z model which would still make the whole bike a veteran one in Australia. The engine has almost been completely restored, timed and started with the present carburettor.
The big ends and main bearings have been white metalled and line bored. The clutch and thrust bearings are new. Cast iron pistons with new rings have been fitted. Eventually the cast iron pistons and valves may need replacing.
The magneto has been professionally rewired.
All nuts and bolts are either original or replaced with original looking ones. A number of threads have been recoiled back to original sizes.
The areas that will need attention are re-sleeving the inlet rocker arms and overhauling the Schebler carburettor.
A new chain will need to be fitted.
The gear and clutch lever need replacing but these are available in Australia and Germany. Petrol and oil caps, petrol and oil pipes, taps, control fittings and clips, cables are also missing.
The wheels have been fitted with Timken bearings and need replacing. New axles are needed for both wheels.
This could be fitted with an Excelsior brake system which has an internal brake connected to the clutch leaver. Otherwise the pre-Excelsior brake system could be used.
Various spare parts are included with the project.
This little Douglas was ridden around Australia by Kevin in 1995 to commemorate and replicate the five month trip that was made by Arthur Grady in 1925, the first person to circumnavigate the continent on a motorcycle.
Sponsored by National Geographic, Kevin made the arduous trip at the age of 57 in ten weeks. The Douglas was restored to be as close as possible to Grady’s original bike. It now sits in the Motorlife Museum in Wollongong.
This stunning bike was lovingly prepared by Kevin.
It is fully repainted (aside from the front forks), chromed and ready to be assembled.
It includes Smiths speedo, seat, headlight, tail light, multiple pistons, stands, levers, switches and instruments, badges, genuine rubber grips, foot rests, and various manuals and books.
It has recently been sold to someone who we know will restore this bike to its full glory.
1923 Henderson Deluxe 2017 from Karen on Vimeo.
This very early 1914-15 detroit model Henderson ‘long-tank’ project is an extremely rare and desirable addition to the collection that Kevin had been building on for many years. It includes an original hub in near perfect conditon, a complete original engine with carburetor attached and the parts for a second engine including manifolds. The fenders/mudguards are original along with the handlebars and various other parts. We included a magneto, headlight, seat and early Corbin speedo with long cable. Once restored, this will be one of the world’s rare and desirable motorcycles.
Note that the front forks were made approximately 15 years ago and it is likely that Kevin built the tank. It is possible that the frame is one that Kevin modified from a slightly later model (extended to make it longer, see photo). The footboard had been recently cast.
This project was sold as seen in the photographs.
Henderson K Deluxe Engine and spare parts 1921-1923
Collected as spares by Kevin for his Deluxe outfit. They were sold on ebay as a single lot.
This is a veteran Douglas motorcycle that had been bought by Kevin as a complete bike. It was subsequently partly disassembled as he commenced work on it. He had worked on the engine and tank and these have now been put back into the frame for these photos. Other parts and spares are in the accompanying crates and incudes additional cylinder barrels, unused tyres (for display), a second veteran magneto, 1914 gearbox case, Douglas nuts and bolts, mudguard stays, reproduction pannier cases, headlight stay clamps, newly nickeled levers etc.
The frame on this bike is dated as 1915 and the engine number is consistent with 1914. It will require some work to get it on the road including a fix on the central shaft of the handlebars, attachment of the front brake, sourcing of footboard holders, restoration of the headlight stays etc. However, most of the major parts are present and in good condition.
This was a lovely little veteran project.
Parts for a 1924 JE model Harley Davidson including frame, forks, wheel, hub, 2x 1200cc barrels, flywheels, crank cases,chain cover, ignition coil (photographed separately) partial battery box cover, front and rear mudguards, oil pump, cages and various other smaller engine parts.
The frame is still in reasonably good condition with its grease and mud covering helping to protect the metal from severe rust.
This is either an excellent starter kit for someone looking to build an early Harley Davidson or would be great spares for someone.
This collection was sold on ebay in October, 2014.