In the Autumn of 2008 I saw an advert for a project, a Greeves frame with a 350 Triumph engine. After a call to the advertiser in Bristol, Mike Chedzoy and I went to take a look. First impression was umm, bit of a lash up, definitely a project. As I was still working at that time, I was looking for something to occupy my time when I eventually retired. After a price was agreed the little bike was transported back to Bridgwater, to be stored in the shed until I was ready to start.
By mid 2009, with the help of the Greeves Riders Association I had done my research to find out exactly what I had bought, it is in fact a 1958 20TA trials model. Great, tax and Mot free.
Work started properly in early 2013. First job was to replace the odd wheels that came with the bike, and fit the correct wheels with Greeves paddle hubs. I managed to source enough parts to make a pair by Nov 2014. After refurbishing them I sent the hubs to Brickwood Wheels of Salisbury, who built a pair of wheels with alloy rims and stainless steel spokes. After the wheels were returned and fitted with trials tyres, I now had a rolling chassis.
Now it was time to address the task of mounting the engine in the frame correctly. The previous owner had attached the engine to the frame using what looks like odd bits of old angle iron and aluminium. Unable to locate a set of ready made engine plates or drawings for them,I had to make my own. To achieve this I suspended the engine in the frame, using a small set of pulley blocks, so I could measure and draw what I needed. I started by making drawings using paper then cardboard and finally plywood. After checking that the engine fitted ok, by using just the plywood templates to support the engine without the pulley blocks taking any weight,I sent the templates away to have a set cut in aluminium.
Next job on the list was the frame. I took the frame apart to remove as much of the old paint as possible, and to check for any damage and make repairs as required. After this I sprayed the frame with undercoat, just to protect the frame from surface rust whilst I carried out the the rest of the worked required.
Next I rebuilt the frame, complete with the new wheels, fitted the engine plates and dropped the engine in place. I could now take measurements to design an oil tank/toolbox, this was made by a very clever friend of mine. I also had the exhaust system hand built by yet another friend.
It was now late 2016 and having promised to take my project to the Shepton Mallet bike show in Feb 2017, I put it together so it looked like a complete bike. Once the show was over and I was sure everything fitted as it should I dismantled the frame yet again and sent everything away to be painted by Jakes of Somerton.
Whilst the frame was away I dismantled the engine, previously I had only turned the engine over very slowly just to make sure it was not seized. No major problems were found, so it was just a case of new big end and main bearings and the bottom end could be reassembled. The bores only needed a quick honing and with a new set of piston rings they were ok. A quick lapping in is all the valves required for them to be ready for work.
The gearbox was not bad, no chipped gears or lumps missing off selectors etc, so once again it was clean everything and fit new bearings and we were good to go.
The clutch needed the same treatment as the gear box.
The primary chain never had an adjuster, even from new, so as I needed to adjust the chain I once again had to put the thinking cap on and make my own.
The sparks are supplied by an Electrex ignition system, very neat and simple to fit and works well. As I did not intend to have lights no battery required.
All the bits came together in May 2017 and it was time for the final build. I now only had 12 weeks to complete the bike, as it was booked to go to West Somerset Steam Fayre in August.
July 21 2017, the first day that Grumph burst into life. Red letter day or what.
We made it to show.
By mid 2009, with the help of the Greeves Riders Association I had done my research to find out exactly what I had bought, it is in fact a 1958 20TA trials model. Great, tax and Mot free.
Work started properly in early 2013. First job was to replace the odd wheels that came with the bike, and fit the correct wheels with Greeves paddle hubs. I managed to source enough parts to make a pair by Nov 2014. After refurbishing them I sent the hubs to Brickwood Wheels of Salisbury, who built a pair of wheels with alloy rims and stainless steel spokes. After the wheels were returned and fitted with trials tyres, I now had a rolling chassis.
Now it was time to address the task of mounting the engine in the frame correctly. The previous owner had attached the engine to the frame using what looks like odd bits of old angle iron and aluminium. Unable to locate a set of ready made engine plates or drawings for them,I had to make my own. To achieve this I suspended the engine in the frame, using a small set of pulley blocks, so I could measure and draw what I needed. I started by making drawings using paper then cardboard and finally plywood. After checking that the engine fitted ok, by using just the plywood templates to support the engine without the pulley blocks taking any weight,I sent the templates away to have a set cut in aluminium.
Next job on the list was the frame. I took the frame apart to remove as much of the old paint as possible, and to check for any damage and make repairs as required. After this I sprayed the frame with undercoat, just to protect the frame from surface rust whilst I carried out the the rest of the worked required.
Next I rebuilt the frame, complete with the new wheels, fitted the engine plates and dropped the engine in place. I could now take measurements to design an oil tank/toolbox, this was made by a very clever friend of mine. I also had the exhaust system hand built by yet another friend.
It was now late 2016 and having promised to take my project to the Shepton Mallet bike show in Feb 2017, I put it together so it looked like a complete bike. Once the show was over and I was sure everything fitted as it should I dismantled the frame yet again and sent everything away to be painted by Jakes of Somerton.
Whilst the frame was away I dismantled the engine, previously I had only turned the engine over very slowly just to make sure it was not seized. No major problems were found, so it was just a case of new big end and main bearings and the bottom end could be reassembled. The bores only needed a quick honing and with a new set of piston rings they were ok. A quick lapping in is all the valves required for them to be ready for work.
The gearbox was not bad, no chipped gears or lumps missing off selectors etc, so once again it was clean everything and fit new bearings and we were good to go.
The clutch needed the same treatment as the gear box.
The primary chain never had an adjuster, even from new, so as I needed to adjust the chain I once again had to put the thinking cap on and make my own.
The sparks are supplied by an Electrex ignition system, very neat and simple to fit and works well. As I did not intend to have lights no battery required.
All the bits came together in May 2017 and it was time for the final build. I now only had 12 weeks to complete the bike, as it was booked to go to West Somerset Steam Fayre in August.
July 21 2017, the first day that Grumph burst into life. Red letter day or what.
We made it to show.
