G'Day from WA,
I have joined this group, because over the next year or so I will be needing some advice during the restoration of my old
"Armstrong of Birmingham" bike !
I was given this machine second hand by my grandparents when I was 9, in 1963 (I am now 66) and it served me faithfully until I got my first car in 1976. After I finished riding it and moved to the city I let first my middle sized brother and after him my youngest brother ride it, so it was in continual use until approximately 1990 after which it sat in storage for about a decade when my eldest nephew asked if he could use it, which I agreed to. Unfortunately it suffered a lot during its latter years but did survive and I have recently brought it down here and intend restoring it. I have already started collecting parts that will be needed and have managed to locate "some" of the parts that were removed after I had stopped riding it.
The frame is showing mostly "rust" with very little of its original iridescent green paint, and the relevant decals although present are very faded and scratched so if I were to refinish the frame to the standard I intend, I will need replacement decals, does anyone know where I may get decals for this "touring" (I think) machine ? I have been looking on line at some of the sellers of these such as H Lloyd and about 10 others who all have sets for Armstrong "moth" cycles but not the correct seat tube decal. It looks like the moth "Armstrong script" is the same but not the other one.
I intend to spend a lot more on restoring this machine than it will ever be worth just because of the history myself and my family have with it. I have been researching on line and believe it was built in approximately 1955. It is a 27" machine fitted with a 3 speed Sturmy Archer hub gear change (I think I will need help with that when the time comes) and when I first got it it had front and rear mudguards, a chain guard and also a lighting generator and fork leg mounted front headlight. When I was at the farm I managed to locate the rear mudguard and also the original handlebars which still had their lucas space race bell on them (removed after my time) and will have another look for other bits when I am up there next. I will still try and find the missing front brake caliper and front brake lever which must be there somewhere. If I can't find these, does anyone know the likely maker ? I am thinking probably Sturmy Archer who made the hub change gearbox and my brother who is into British motorbikes tells me that Sturmy Archer made all sorts of control fittings for the motorcycle industry and may have for the push cycle makers as well.
Anyway, it's a very interesting site you have here,
Thanks for looking,
Graham
I have joined this group, because over the next year or so I will be needing some advice during the restoration of my old
"Armstrong of Birmingham" bike !
I was given this machine second hand by my grandparents when I was 9, in 1963 (I am now 66) and it served me faithfully until I got my first car in 1976. After I finished riding it and moved to the city I let first my middle sized brother and after him my youngest brother ride it, so it was in continual use until approximately 1990 after which it sat in storage for about a decade when my eldest nephew asked if he could use it, which I agreed to. Unfortunately it suffered a lot during its latter years but did survive and I have recently brought it down here and intend restoring it. I have already started collecting parts that will be needed and have managed to locate "some" of the parts that were removed after I had stopped riding it.
The frame is showing mostly "rust" with very little of its original iridescent green paint, and the relevant decals although present are very faded and scratched so if I were to refinish the frame to the standard I intend, I will need replacement decals, does anyone know where I may get decals for this "touring" (I think) machine ? I have been looking on line at some of the sellers of these such as H Lloyd and about 10 others who all have sets for Armstrong "moth" cycles but not the correct seat tube decal. It looks like the moth "Armstrong script" is the same but not the other one.
I intend to spend a lot more on restoring this machine than it will ever be worth just because of the history myself and my family have with it. I have been researching on line and believe it was built in approximately 1955. It is a 27" machine fitted with a 3 speed Sturmy Archer hub gear change (I think I will need help with that when the time comes) and when I first got it it had front and rear mudguards, a chain guard and also a lighting generator and fork leg mounted front headlight. When I was at the farm I managed to locate the rear mudguard and also the original handlebars which still had their lucas space race bell on them (removed after my time) and will have another look for other bits when I am up there next. I will still try and find the missing front brake caliper and front brake lever which must be there somewhere. If I can't find these, does anyone know the likely maker ? I am thinking probably Sturmy Archer who made the hub change gearbox and my brother who is into British motorbikes tells me that Sturmy Archer made all sorts of control fittings for the motorcycle industry and may have for the push cycle makers as well.
Anyway, it's a very interesting site you have here,
Thanks for looking,
Graham