Britchopper.co.uk

Ok, enough already. This is ridiculous.
I mean; 20 years fer fux-ache!
Thats how long ago this project was started.
Or more if the original inspiration was taken into account.
If you'd asked me why (as some did) back then I'd have answered 'because somebody has to'. But now of course theres V8 bikes everywhere which has kind of diluted my resolve.
But I'm going to make time to get it done this year. Yeah, I know.
Early drunken sketch, then a sober one, then a better one (albeit very faded now):




More later.

Reminds me of the back few pages of all my school exercise books.

Now I have seen this beastie in the flesh so to speak sitting there all lonesome and neglected, comon Briz get it sorted.....bet you don't get it done this year what with all your other work and whatever.....I would love to see this finished so if you are up for a challenge to get this done and the Hossack job I applaud you.

20 Years has got to be some kind of record, even Shaun doesn't have projects that old

Waiting with baited breath to see the result.....whats the deadline then?

As Douglas Adams said; "I love deadlines, I love the whooshing sound they make as they go past"
The only thing that having a deadline would ensure is that I wouldn't meet it!

So far this week, I've got the front fender done, the front calipers mounted properly and most of the electrics mounted. Tomorrow with a bit of luck I'll get the footrests & rear master cylinder mounted and start on the ally side panels.
Heres that pic again showing what I returned to on Monday.


I've decided those bars have to go. They're comfortable enough, but dont look right. Something resembling drag bars on kicked back risers are what I've got in mind. Need to get a bit of stainless bar to do them tho'.

Lovin it....now I'm at a loose end for a couple of weeks I shall have to pop over and see you and drink tea....cant have any biccies though...strict diet...need to pick your brains about the Harley too as I'm going to be working on it real soon (when the missus lets me)

great stuff B n 20 years dosent seam too long, bought my harman motor
in 92 n still not got it fully built let alone started on a frame or anything
else for it

It'll be good to see you Mark.

Its a bitch innit Twizz? I'm sure its the same for you; you knock out one bleedin' rigid sportster after another to pay the bills whilst the stuff you really want to be getting on with is right there in the corner of the workshop gathering dust. Taunting you.
But what ya gonna do? you cant stop and risk pissing off your customers, or can you?
Well soddit. I worked hard in the last 6 months. Got a little way ahead moneywise and arranged things so nobodys expecting any work done for about 6 weeks. See how far I get.

What's that saying? work to live not live to work?

good luck briz, looks good already

cheeky bugger my Indian has only been 4 or 5 years

I bought my 45 in 1983, or rather I bought several boxes of rubbish masquerading as a 45 in bits back in 1983 and it is still on the bench, mind you a lot of bikes have come and gone since then (and a lot of hair).


Too many projects and not enough time and money

I can identify with that...especially the hair bit

is that a CJ5 sitting there?


Good call Briz after all you are getting to a point where you ought to be having a bit of time doing stuff for yourself, then maybe you can start on that big lump of metal outside the workshop before fuel gets to £5 a litre

Are we all talking about hair now? Anyone got some to spare? 20 years Briz? Pah! You must have been 12 when you started it
Me, you and Twiz have been about for a while and had to sadly shelve our own projects to pay the rent, I was gutted when I had to sell my '23 JD Harley for just that reason. I've seen the Daimler bike and at least you managed to hang onto it all these years, and I'm relieved I sent the distributor back
Kick youself up the arse and show these youngsters what we used to build. REAL chops.

Trouble is, its been that long I'm spending half my time retracing my own footsteps. But I'm properly back in the groove with it now. Made plenty progress this week - albeit boring stuff thats not worth taking pics of - footrests electrics brakes etc.
Started the ally side panels this afternoon. Getting quicker with all that sandbag / wheeling stuff. First one took 2.5 hrs. Quite pleased; kind of a bulbous shape which suits this fat bastard of a bike.
Reckon I'll have all the fabrication work done in another week.
I'm thinking of getting the frame stress releived when its done. Its all thin gauge chrome-moly and theres a lot of welding & brazing there. Anyone know where I can get it done? Preferably not a million miles fron here.

[/quote]cheeky bugger my Indian has only been 4 or 5 years [/quote]


Only took me 18 on mine. Bugger all when you consider they're both at least 60 odd year old. (give or take a few 'updates')

my works uses these people in Lowestoft if its any use to you
http://www.middleton-heat.co.uk/

Ta. I'll call em on Monday.

Side panels done
Some pics:



This pic makes it look more bulbous that it really is:

Any progress (from a fellow Daimler freak)?

Yeah loads, but its all bits and pieces and its all apart now except the block in the frame.
Just doing the last job - the belly pan- before it all goes off for powdercoating, block boring etc.

No Disrepect Briz but 20 years ago that would have been so cool it would have been unbelievable now it just the best retro thing i can think of Right what shall i do with my Daimiler 4.5ltr (hopefully it will take less than 20 years come on i'm knocking on these days) Seriously i can can't wait to see it in the flesh

looking good going in the right direction just need too stay in hiding till its done

Well, theres the frame finished. Off to Aerocoat Monday morning.

So any progress on this?

Well the block has been bored and decked, the crank is ground and the heads have been skimmed. I also had all the valve guides out and turned them to accept harley stem seals.
The Frame has been powdercoated by Aerocoat and Phixer has been a splendid chap and picked it up from them.
But I'm working thru a load of orders now and wont get back on it for about 3-4 weeks.