Airhead single runs for the first time in 16 years

[Devon]

I got this R27 from a friend of Lord Snooty at the beginning of the year. It had been stood for 16 years so I cleaned the tank which was a nightmare because the old petrol had reverted to tar, fitted a new carb and generally serviced it. I needed to get a new steel brake liner fitted to the rear ally hub (the front and rear hub are interchangeable) and it took from the end of January until last month to get the hub sorted out by a dealer oop North (don't ask).
Anyway, I finally got around to putting some petrol in the bike and charging the battery before starting her up: no knocking or banging and it runs beautifully, even the cluch is operating, the carb seems to have a bit of an airleak as the bike hunts a little but it's nothing major.
It will be interesting to see how the old gaskets and seals hold up after a few runs but hopefully she will be OK. I have bought electronic ignition to fit sometime and hopefully this should make the bike stay reliable in the future

 

[Kenny]

Quality post

 

[Fanum]

Very pretty looking bike Andy

 

[Humbug]

Lovely Andy. Look forward to seeing it at the Cabin one day.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Nice.

 

[notadrop]

Very nice!!
...and no canbus, EWS, tyre pressure monitors, electronic suspension setting. What will you do with all the extra spare time not worrying about those?

 

[Lord Snooty]

Andy, Malcolm will be thrilled that you have got it running again especially as it belonged to his now deceased dad. I'll send him a text as he is in France at the moment.

BTW all of the paintwork was done by Dave Joynes at Redditch Shotblasting, fellow bikers and specialists in bike and car restoration work.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

That is a real fine bike! Congratulations!
It reminds me a bit of my Sunbeam S8 although there is no pool of oil under it...

 

[Photoguy]

A thing of beauty. Health to ride.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Looking fantastic Andy, they really are a smooth running engine, for a single especially ... Riding one is like sitting in your favourite armchair.. just wafting along ...

 

[Voyager]

Superb

Those old Beemers look so neat and functional compared to old British bikes that have leaky joints, chains and dangly wires and cables.

I love the sprung seat .

Is that a '60 or '61 model ??

Bob.

 

[Devon]

Andy, Malcolm will be thrilled that you have got it running again especially as it belonged to his now deceased dad. I'll send him a text as he is in France at the moment.

I remember Malcolm said he goes past my place regularly on his way to Cornwall: he would be welcome to call in for a coffee and take the old girl for a spin. I think he passed his test on this R27.

The engine is rubber mounted and is very smooth, I have only ridden it a few hundred yards but it feels like a light weight Sunbeam S8.

The bike is a 1961 Voyager

 

[Lord Snooty]

Andy, we are in his place on the Lizard at the moment having a week's break, arrived yesterday. I'll let him know of your offer.

 

[electric_monk]

B@#$**d.

Good luck with it.