So, I went to Brackley today and bought this...
Discussion
1939 Levis 350 restored.
This isn't usually my thing, I have an S1000RR and a Honda ST1300, but I saw the bike and I was instantly drawn, I spent quite a time looking at the detail and after a short while I fell for it. Is there something wrong with me, I can't afford it but I placed a deposit
I love how the bike is screwed together, so much detail in the engineering, touches that are not functional just for design, the brass levers have a Levis logo embossed, it's so elegant. I love the clocks, they're just clocks but all I see on my bikes,watch, car is an lcd display, on this bike they are analog with errors included.
Does anyone know which is the best British classic bike forum to join for general advice?
This isn't usually my thing, I have an S1000RR and a Honda ST1300, but I saw the bike and I was instantly drawn, I spent quite a time looking at the detail and after a short while I fell for it. Is there something wrong with me, I can't afford it but I placed a deposit
I love how the bike is screwed together, so much detail in the engineering, touches that are not functional just for design, the brass levers have a Levis logo embossed, it's so elegant. I love the clocks, they're just clocks but all I see on my bikes,watch, car is an lcd display, on this bike they are analog with errors included.Does anyone know which is the best British classic bike forum to join for general advice?
Built by Butterfields in Stechford, Birmingham. The factory is gone now but the industrial estate has been named after it
https://goo.gl/maps/RV7pmiDUpDy
(an extra S added after they stopped making motorcycles and merged with another company, HEC and built compressors amongst other things, supposedly to save confusion with the apostrophed jeans maker.)
https://goo.gl/maps/RV7pmiDUpDy
(an extra S added after they stopped making motorcycles and merged with another company, HEC and built compressors amongst other things, supposedly to save confusion with the apostrophed jeans maker.)
You've got me googling now!
In 1906, brothers William and Arthur Hughes Butterfield set up in business together as engineers at Stechford, Birmingham 9, with interests in a relatively new technology of the time—development of the internal combustion engine.
By 1910, William had built his own engine and was aided by engineer and keen motor cyclist Howard Newey, who worked on design of the machines. Within the following year they became established as motor cycle makers under a name taken from the Latin phrase levis et celer (light and quick), and so the Levis brand was launched.
Their first prototype motor cycle was based upon a bicycle frame with a 198cc single cylinder two-stroke engine and belt drive. A larger 269cc engine version appeared later in 1911, priced at £35–10s, and just two years later the business was going well enough for the company to become incorporated under the title of Butterfields Ltd, with Howard Newey as Works Manager. Butterfields designed and made their own two-stroke engines of 211cc, 269cc, 292cc, and 349cc and sold these in a number of Levis models until the domestic market became suspended in 1916 due to the First World War.
Motor cycle manufacture resumed again in 1919, with the Levis brand establishing itself as one of England’s leading builders of two-stroke machines, and consolidating their reputation through a very active involvement in racing. The business continued through the economic recession of the mid-1920s by concentrating on producing keenly priced economy machines, then introduced new models into the range as the Great Depression began to subside into the 1930s. The first Levis four-stroke engine, a 346cc OHV, was introduced in 1927, then an OHC 247cc and 498cc OHV in 1933, and further joined by a 591cc OHV in 1937, though the staple business remained primarily two-stroke based...
It won't hurt to join the VMCC
In 1906, brothers William and Arthur Hughes Butterfield set up in business together as engineers at Stechford, Birmingham 9, with interests in a relatively new technology of the time—development of the internal combustion engine.
By 1910, William had built his own engine and was aided by engineer and keen motor cyclist Howard Newey, who worked on design of the machines. Within the following year they became established as motor cycle makers under a name taken from the Latin phrase levis et celer (light and quick), and so the Levis brand was launched.
Their first prototype motor cycle was based upon a bicycle frame with a 198cc single cylinder two-stroke engine and belt drive. A larger 269cc engine version appeared later in 1911, priced at £35–10s, and just two years later the business was going well enough for the company to become incorporated under the title of Butterfields Ltd, with Howard Newey as Works Manager. Butterfields designed and made their own two-stroke engines of 211cc, 269cc, 292cc, and 349cc and sold these in a number of Levis models until the domestic market became suspended in 1916 due to the First World War.
Motor cycle manufacture resumed again in 1919, with the Levis brand establishing itself as one of England’s leading builders of two-stroke machines, and consolidating their reputation through a very active involvement in racing. The business continued through the economic recession of the mid-1920s by concentrating on producing keenly priced economy machines, then introduced new models into the range as the Great Depression began to subside into the 1930s. The first Levis four-stroke engine, a 346cc OHV, was introduced in 1927, then an OHC 247cc and 498cc OHV in 1933, and further joined by a 591cc OHV in 1937, though the staple business remained primarily two-stroke based...
It won't hurt to join the VMCC
Nice looking restoration - sort of thing my Uncle used to do with vintage bikes.
So begs the question - are you getting instructions/help on how to start/control the thing.. I'm suspecting some of the controls are swopped and what do all the extra levers do?
I know we have at least a couple of resident experts on here for these older bikes
So begs the question - are you getting instructions/help on how to start/control the thing.. I'm suspecting some of the controls are swopped and what do all the extra levers do?
I know we have at least a couple of resident experts on here for these older bikes
I think srob from here will be a good guide on where to get help, I know he and his Dad have a few vintage bikes between them.
Your bike looks fantastic. I might have missed it, but how much did it cost? Tell me to naff off if that’s too nosey, but I’d be interested to know if you’d be willing to share.
Your bike looks fantastic. I might have missed it, but how much did it cost? Tell me to naff off if that’s too nosey, but I’d be interested to know if you’d be willing to share.
That’s a lovely looking machine, congrats
As for forums there isn’t a great deal for old bikes. I believe that the VMCC does have a members forum but I must admit I’ve not really investigated it. I’d say Facebook and it’s associated groups would be as good a place as any to have a look. Just be aware that not all information on some groups will be 100% accurate!
If you are joining the VMCC there’s loads of politics and back-biting going on at the moment so don’t judge the club by the magazine you’ll get. The magazine’s good but some of the fighting in there doesn’t represent what you’ll find if you go along to one of the club nights or an event, it’s a really friendly welcoming club in reality and you’ll be able to get loads of help and advice from members.
We don’t have a Levis so I can’t help specifically but if you need to know anything I’m sure I’d be able to find out for you. Is the machine registered with its original plate still?
As for forums there isn’t a great deal for old bikes. I believe that the VMCC does have a members forum but I must admit I’ve not really investigated it. I’d say Facebook and it’s associated groups would be as good a place as any to have a look. Just be aware that not all information on some groups will be 100% accurate!
If you are joining the VMCC there’s loads of politics and back-biting going on at the moment so don’t judge the club by the magazine you’ll get. The magazine’s good but some of the fighting in there doesn’t represent what you’ll find if you go along to one of the club nights or an event, it’s a really friendly welcoming club in reality and you’ll be able to get loads of help and advice from members.
We don’t have a Levis so I can’t help specifically but if you need to know anything I’m sure I’d be able to find out for you. Is the machine registered with its original plate still?
sjtscott said:
...So begs the question - are you getting instructions/help on how to start/control the thing.. I'm suspecting some of the controls are swopped and what do all the extra levers do?...
At a guess:right foot gearchange (probably one-up)
manual ignition advance/retard
manual choke
valve lifter for starting
and a kickstart, of course.
sjtscott said:
Nice looking restoration - sort of thing my Uncle used to do with vintage bikes.
So begs the question - are you getting instructions/help on how to start/control the thing.. I'm suspecting some of the controls are swopped and what do all the extra levers do? I know we have at least a couple of resident experts on here for these older bikes
I bought the bike from the National Motorcycle Museum. It had a full restoration in their workshop, they sell around 3 a year. Part of the purchase included delivery and the chaps showing me all controls, advance restart, choke starting technique, which they will know on this bike as they have had it years. So begs the question - are you getting instructions/help on how to start/control the thing.. I'm suspecting some of the controls are swopped and what do all the extra levers do?
I know we have at least a couple of resident experts on here for these older bikessrob said:
That’s a lovely looking machine, congrats
As for forums there isn’t a great deal for old bikes. I believe that the VMCC does have a members forum but I must admit I’ve not really investigated it. I’d say Facebook and it’s associated groups would be as good a place as any to have a look. Just be aware that not all information on some groups will be 100% accurate!
If you are joining the VMCC there’s loads of politics and back-biting going on at the moment so don’t judge the club by the magazine you’ll get. The magazine’s good but some of the fighting in there doesn’t represent what you’ll find if you go along to one of the club nights or an event, it’s a really friendly welcoming club in reality and you’ll be able to get loads of help and advice from members.
We don’t have a Levis so I can’t help specifically but if you need to know anything I’m sure I’d be able to find out for you. Is the machine registered with its original plate still?
Hello. I joined last night, just friendly advice is all I need, I'd also like to show the bike, it would be a shame to leave undercover in the garage. As for forums there isn’t a great deal for old bikes. I believe that the VMCC does have a members forum but I must admit I’ve not really investigated it. I’d say Facebook and it’s associated groups would be as good a place as any to have a look. Just be aware that not all information on some groups will be 100% accurate!
If you are joining the VMCC there’s loads of politics and back-biting going on at the moment so don’t judge the club by the magazine you’ll get. The magazine’s good but some of the fighting in there doesn’t represent what you’ll find if you go along to one of the club nights or an event, it’s a really friendly welcoming club in reality and you’ll be able to get loads of help and advice from members.
We don’t have a Levis so I can’t help specifically but if you need to know anything I’m sure I’d be able to find out for you. Is the machine registered with its original plate still?
Regarding the bike, as above, it was donated to the National Motorcycle Musium and after a few years put through their workshop. I may have paid a premium but there isn't much to compare it to. The bike has matching numbers, lots of paper work, the original sales receipt and an information pack, old brochures to accompany. I spoke with the 3 engineers from the museum who stripped the bike, engine, gearbox, carb and replaced every nut and bolt and restored everything they could,tge exhausts couldn't be saved so replicas were fitted. They also painted the bike in the original colour matching the wheel stripes which were an original feature. The plates are 1939 and the musium is going to attached a silver restoration plate to the bike, like garages used to fit. It's a really good feeling that I will have the museum's support when needed too.
I'm really looking forward to going for a ride, apparently Levis had good results in the TT, I think with this engine, can't be sure, will look.
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