Cooper & Ludwig

[Ludwig II]

On Thursday I got to Yeoman's and then Harkers. This is Yeoman's link:

http://www.yeomansmotorcycles.com/bikes.html

Harker's don't have a site, but they own the overpriced gourmet pub next door.

 

[Ludwig II]

Tank is bought today! Pictures to follow.

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Yay success! I'll be looking forward to seeing a picture

 

[Ludwig II]

Think 10" square, 4" deep max, like an aerofoil with squared off ends. Good chrome plate on brass but tired.

The filler cap is offset to one side , so it makes a rear mounting possible and still retain a carrier.

 

[Ludwig II]

GOT IT! I didn't think I'd taken a decent shot.

 

[fasteddy]

Nice tank. Will you have it stripped back to the brass and polished?

Steve.

 

[Ludwig II]

Doug's taken more, it looks yellowish, but that's just the light. I think I'd like to fetch the chrome up to an elderly but good finish. The idea of the bike is to look ancient, and pitting under the fresh paint, worn looking chrome are part of it.

 

[fasteddy]

In my former life I stripped the chrome and nickle plating off an awful lot of copper and brass and buffed it up and it is just second nature to me.

There should be a fair bit of plating left. The tarnish on the brass tends to bleed through and look worse than it is.

Steve.

 

[Ludwig II]

I asked the most likely to be experts and they were of the opinion that the lettering may be genuine and the tank came from a hill climber or sprinter, as New Henley used J.A.P. engines, which were the basis of many competition bikes.

This leaves us with an undated orphan tank which may or may not be older than the 70 + year old Raleigh frame. It's of no real importance, but the mystery of it niggles.

 

[Ludwig II]

Doug has managed to get some more done. I'll be over at his place as soon as I've got this cold out of the way, dont want him having all the fun.

 

[Ludwig II]

More hands on tomorrow. See the green bike? See the mudguards? Don't call them fenders, that doesn't do these justice. Doug says he has similar in his stock.

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Oh my word Ludwig those mudguards are beautiful. Valanced mudguards are so hard to find here in New Zealand.

 

[Ludwig II]

Doug has some, but will want the demon money.

 

[fasteddy]

What would be considered demon money? Is it at the level where he brings out a chair so you can sit down before he tells you minimizing personal injury?

Steve.

 

[Ludwig II]

The fiend has silly ideas like eating and paying the electric bill.

Today has been cancelled due to the world ganging up on him, so I go over on Tuesday and we will put the forks in place.

 

[fasteddy]

When you see him on Tuesday could you ask him just what sort of savage price he has in mind and would he ship them across the pond. I'm thinking that they would look superior if they were on a Sportsman build with sidecar.

I certainly understand the comfort of a roof over your head and the taxes paid. Years ago I was selling at an antique show and a women asked me how I justified my, in her mind, high prices. I told her it was very simple. I had them and people wanted them so I got to set the price.

She was greatly under impressed with my theory.

Steve.

 

[Ludwig II]

We first have to find how many pairs he has, and what sizes. They are scattered in various lockup stores, and mine are the first in the queue. You're not the only one interested as well.

I seem to have opened up an unsuspected aesthetic seam in the style mine.

As for customers not liking prices, some people can be given something free, and then they'll ask you to deliver it.

 

[fasteddy]

I was pretty sure that I was part of a fender parade and yes you may have opened a flood gate of fender desire.
Just never hurts to have your name out there as a possible purchaser.

You are so right about the free and the need to have it delivered without compensation. Kind of like being asked to attend a party and then asked if you can bring your guitar. You know where that is going to go.

Steve.

 

[MEASURE TWICE]

The only fender I have is the banana seat and so I get the mud stripe, and the engine cover in fronts get a little thicker as I go through mud puddles.

I like the cut away for the tire rub light generator!

 

[Ludwig II]

"We can offer you the gig in our pub/restaurant for the exposure, but no money."

"OK, I'll bring 25 people with me, and you can feed them for the exposure, but no money."