Rusty

[Rocket Racer]

Some of you may be aware of my thread "The Road Rocket Racing Sidecar project" now known as Bender. Well I have been looking for a nice super rocket for a while to give him some company but instead have bought Rusty, a slightly less than immaculate project Super Rocket. The core of Rusty is a 1960 rolling chassis, although sadly the motor dates as '61. Paperwork indicates the motor and frame have been together at least since '71 but when they became one is unknown.
Bike came out of the UK in the early eighties and was last used on the road in 1983. Has since sat in a shed that has quietly fallen apart around it.
Would be great to say I got it cheaply but in fact paid a premium for it to prise it from the owner who had other priorities.
Initial intention is to make it reliable and then think about asthetics.

[muskrat]

G'day RR,
            nice pick up. Get it going and leave it looking as is. Then watch the surprise on their faces when it starts first kick and beats them to the next pub.
Cheers

[taroha10]

I recon 'rusty' is going to be ok.I agree with Musky,it looks good like it is.  Looks like it has had extra chrome added which is always going to look worse if left unattended. It has alloy rims which is nice . I may have to think of a new description of my first A10 project though.It makes 'rusty' look like a show bike! I must dig out some pics.
Good luck with all.
Cheers. Mark   

[jfligg]

Hi Rusty
  Nice bike.  I have a extra set of 1960 cases, and am in need of a set of 1961 cases.  WE should talk.  Jeff

[scotty]

Great find  

I like the plan....get her running good and hold the cosmetics

Rust is lighter than carbon fibre  

S

[Flatboy 1950]

Hmmmm !! Do I see a BSA single hiding behind Rusty ??

Dective Elijah.

[Pete Gray]

Hmmmm !! Do I see a BSA single hiding behind Rusty ??

Dective Elijah.

Not to mention what looks to be a fine collection of gearboxes on the shelves ?

[bsa-bill]

get it running, paint the tank silver, onto Ebay as a RARE RGS replica (ha) cash the check quiclky

[RichardL]

Tim,

No matter which way you go,  it should be a fun project.  As to keeping it in its current state of decay,  as the saying goes,  ?I'm conflicted? (not that my being conflicted is your problem).  If it were a completely original bike, the rust and paint issues would be "patina".  On the other hand,  who but the likes of us would know about originality?  The two best things about keeping her looks as-is are much lower cost and short duration before getting her on the road again.   It seems that the silencers are about the worst off in the rust category.  I wonder if any baffling or packing remains inside of them or if that matters to New Zealand authorities.  If you have a wife,  I probably don't need to explain the worst part of keeping the current look.

Considering the down side of polish,  I am comfortable in saying that my somewhat non-stock bike has a decent amount of polish and shine.  I have come to realize that this confuses the general public who don't realize they are looking at a rare vintage motorcycle snatched from time unless they ask, and few ask. Either they aren't interested in any case, or they don't get their curiosity tweaked because the new-like appearance hides the history. I need a t-shirt that says, "THIS BIKE IS OLDER THAN YOU" or ?SHE?S AN OLD GIRL BUT SHE STILL RIDES NICE?.

Richard L. 

[Rocket Racer]

thanks for all the comments, yes I have been quietly collecting bits to support long term A10 ownership and yes theres my '51 B33 in the background which I've had since the eighties.

I pulled off a rocker cover from Rusty and she isnt internally rusty, but looks to need a thorough clean and once over internally.
Not sure when this will happen as will be working in Muskrats lucky country for the next 12 months and only home weekends...and was hoping to get Bender out to a few race meetings (Taupo end of April)

Apparently Bender got a picture in the March Classic Bike on Page 13...still havent seen it.

My B33 is very original (apart from the later type 8" brake) so feel the unoriginality of Rusty gives me more leeway. Would like to start off by minimising spend and then see where it takes me.
Do like the idea of some correct year super rocket cases but first need to negotiate the local VIN/VIC processes for registration as everything is lapsed.

Very nice having another beesa in the barn

[muskrat]

Another bl@@dy Kiwi taking our jobs! Just kidding mate. Whereabouts you working? Forum members all over.
March Classic Bike won't be here till end April. I think they use Captn Cooks Endeavour to ship it.
Cheers

[KiwiGF]

Yep yr bike and yr mug are the march classic bike. Yr mates Mark as well.

I got the April classic bike in the post last week Muscrat!

[muskrat]

You must have a sub, KiwiGF. I have to wait till it hits the newsagent so I can shoplift, I mean buy it.
Cheers

[duTch]

Mate that looks like somethin' I'd own and more than happily trek around on, it's surprising what a wire brush, a bit of Phosphoric acid and a 6 pack (or2) will do for the chrome and other aesthetics. My vote is the internal probe,at least look at the old oil, and go for it, good luck,               
                                                         duTch*beer*

[KiwiGF]

Ye muskrat I've subbed it...but my brother just nips down the local mag shop and reads it for free during lunch
 
My "rusty" resto project is going to cost me 4k nzd or so and not change the look of it much at all, the wife does not understand this at all, but I will get the tank/tins done once I've got it going and re-registered and done a few miles on it...hopefully that will be in a few months time...