Thanks for that Bob, it was really interesting. Things like that take me back to the time when my Grandfather's Shop was in full swing. Back then, I saw BMW's, Matchless, an Ariel Square Four, AJS, Parillas, Jawas, CZs Royal Enfields, Mustangs, Cushmans, Whizzers Solex, Simplex, Ducatis (up to 250cc 1 cylinder at that time) BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons and Indians (the original Indians). Might sound a little boring to some but, it's memories to me. Back in the 50's they didn't build enduros, dual purpose and not many off road type bikes like they did some time later. Some of the guys, that rode with my Dad and my Granddad, started buying bikes like Zundapp and Maicos (for example),then they'd bring them in to and the bike would be stripped of lights, big cumbersome exhaust systems, street tires and fenders. The bikes were then fitted with alloy fenders, "knobby" (that's what we called them then) tires, a skid plate was made and installed under the engine/trans, an exhaust system was made out of a piece of pipe (there was no equipment for bending the pipe and so small pieshape pieces were cut out of the pipe every so often so that the pipe could be heated and bent to the shape they wanted and then, where the pieces were cut out, those places were welded. the pipe was installed with a washer welded on the end. A test run was made, about an inch of pipe was cut off, the washer welded back on and another test run was made. This procedure went on until a run was made with poorer performance was noticed. At that time a piece, that had been cut off was cut in half and welded back on the pipe. Back then, that was their idea of a tuned pipe. Expansion chambers had not been introduced. I hope this hasn't been too boring for you guys. It's part of the history that I experienced and I like to remember it. Thanks for listening. Later on, Bill
"I'll try not to get so wound up next time.
