A series 1 came up for sale a couple of years ago, it was a bit of a wreck but cheap, 90% all there and I liked the number plate so I took a chance on getting it re-allocated.
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Thanks to the help of the LCGB registration team and the archivists in Cumbria I was able to prove that the bike belonged to the plate. Even the engine number matched the records.
She was first registered in june 59 by Taylor's of Whitehaven to a chap with an address in Newry Co. Down.
I figured that there's plenty of "rustored" and restored series ones out there already so plumped for a matt green handpainted rough and ready look.
She still required plenty of work for even that, the legshields were rotted through so Victor currie repaired them for me whilst resisting his natural urge to make them perfect.
He sourced the nato green paint and handed it back to Stephen Sproule who slapped it on and rebuilt her with new parts where required, adding practical touches like dampers, sip speedo and butty box with usb charger.
The engine was upgraded with a GT186, 30mm PHBH, JL3, decent clutch and crank.
Once she was in my hands I bolted on an old 80s spotlight I've had knocking about the garage since new and wired it up.
To complete the military look (I am and have always been a civilian BTW) Bilko donated a pair of panniers that he'd used on his ww1 battlefield trip which now serve as a spare wheel holder.
Thanks to all involved in getting her back on the road.