Stainless and Mild Steel Petrol Tanks
We regularly have enquiries from people asking if we can make stainless steel petrol tanks for their vintage and veteran cars or bikes. Our reply is “of course we can,…
Motorcyles
Custom Motorcycle Modifications and Bespoke Engineering
Motorcycles through the ages have metamorphosised to produce what we have today. But sometimes this is not the principle of what the buyer wants, but it is close, hence people…
Ducati Performance Tuning a Mach 1
For Ducati performance tuning the first thing to do is lighten everything throughout the engine, but not compromise on the strength and reliability of the working parts. The project was…
Motorcycle Petrol Tanks – Repairs and Petseal
A 1930 s triumph tank was brought into the workshop with the customer saying he cannot find anyone to restore it to it’s original fuel capacity. The problem being it had…
Norton Commando 850 MkIII – A Labour of Love
In this blog I just wanted to tell some of you about my Norton Commando 850 MkIII as I ‘ve been asked about the bike by a few people. People…
Kawasaki Z650 – Getting it on the Road Again
Here at Stotfold Engineering we don’t just work on pristine bikes. We work on many bikes that have had a hard life and are in need of bringing back to…
Motorcycle Restoration – Some Advice on the So Called Experts and Professionals
When we require an ‘expert or professional’ classic motorcycle restoration to be undertaken by a motorcycle restorer we have to expect the complete job to cost more than the classic…
Four Stroke Engine Lubrication: Systems, Oil Pumps and Restoration
When I studied four stroke engine lubrication, I found that the development of lubrication systems had played a vital part in improving engine performance and reliability. Having worked on classic…
Honda CB750 Four SOHC Part 7 – Construction Continues with the First Part of the Wiring
From day one of this cafe racer project I have always had it in my mind that all wiring should be well and truly hidden. To many really good creative…
Hydraulic Brakes – Problems and Solutions to Common Faults
From time to time we get the same inquiries about various aspects of motorcycle building. Brakes is one of those subjects. People come into the workshop, phone or email saying…
Honda CB750 Four SOHC Part 6 – The Start of the Final Build
Finally I have reached the stage of reconstruction. The frame has returned from the painters (‘Full Range Finishes’ – Letchworth) and the swinging arm freshly chrome plated (‘Doug Heath’ –…
Honda CB750 Four SOHC Part 5 – The Engine
836cc engine ready for installation The engine I have now completed and ready for installation. The crank cases were firstly striped of components and modified. The starter motor was not going…
Carburettor Restoration – The Not So Black Art
With any carburettor restoration the first thing to do is assess the carburettor and see if it is actually worth restoring. The cost of restoration could be more than buying…
Triumph T100 Conrods – Scrap or Not to Scrap!
Triumph Tiger 100 crankshaft & con-rods I have inherited from my father, Terry Ives the 1st, a 1954 Triumph Tiger 100, the first of the swinging arm models. The crankshaft…
Honda CB750 Four SOHC Part 4 – The Electrics
The electrics are much reduced from the standard bike. The generator has been replaced by a single phase lighter item. I got this from Cycle Exchange in the US who…