Fuel/Tanks 1938 H.R.D. Comet Petrol Tank Painting and Lining…Deep Breath…

B

BlackLightning998

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Morning all..

Well deep breath I think this may be like asking Owners what oil to use.

I am taking two original stainless tanks to the painters on Tuesday after many hours of specialist work to get the dents out, make them petrol tight and polish the S/S.

So...lining and transfers/decals?

I have done a search of this Forum and read the useful discussion on the subject some years ago. I've read Back to A, I've studied Original Vincent and I've poured iver my many many reference photos of Series A tanks.

Has there ever been anything further on tank painting and lining and decals I should read?

I'm leaning towards Gregs analysis of pinstripe width and position.

And Black outline to HRD and Mercury Crest.

And parallel D section on tank side stopping short of the knee rubber. All analysis of A tanks that could reasonably be considered to be of period show top and bottom lines parallel to each other and not curved as some have said and some have restored.

However having said that, my Dad's HRD photographed in the 1940's (possible original?) clearly shows a non parallel line D. Oops. And his is the bike I am restoring as a homage to.

So....deep breath...what are the opinions of Forum Members and is there somewhere or something I can be directed to to guide the painter and myself?

Appreciate your thoughts?

And as I said, I've read everything the Search Tool returns on Series A Tanks before posting.

Thanks

Stuart
 

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Last edited:
Marvel

Marvel

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Interestingly the two Series A's in pic 3 which look original and from 1937 are both different.
 
davidd

davidd

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I would guess that the A-Twins would be more likely to have parallel lines. The Comets seem more likely to have non-parallel lines. There are exceptions to each, probably due to the striper.

Two Factory photos showing one of each:

aak696.jpg
aak694.jpg


David
 
B

BlackLightning998

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
davidd said:
I would guess that the A-Twins would be more likely to have parallel lines. The Comets seem more likely to have non-parallel lines. There are exceptions to each, probably due to the striper.

Two Factory photos showing one of each:

View attachment 55591View attachment 55593

David
Click to expand...
Hi David, many thanks for that. Which book are those in please, I recall seeing them before?

Stuart
 
Dinny

Dinny

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VOC Member
Those pictures I believe are in Back to A. Also note the black spokes and the two different handlebar mountings. The top picture has the standard handlebar mounts which are vertical. This puts the bars forward of the damper knob like later series machines. This machine has the 7 o’clock sump which was produced from October 35 onwards, it has a miller mag dyno and a Lucas rear light.

The bottom picture has the horizontal mounts, which with the Amal Tidybars gives a more rear mounting. It also has a BTH mag/Dyno, a Powell & Hamner rear light and is a 6 o’clock sump engine. This engine was produced from July - Oct 1935 and only 29 comets were made like this. This was probably made nearer the end of this date range as it does not have BTH headlight.

I did a lot of research into the early machines when I rebuilt mine.

Mark
 
B

BlackLightning998

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Dinny said:
Those pictures I believe are in Back to A. Also note the black spokes and the two different handlebar mountings. The top picture has the standard handlebar mounts which are vertical. This puts the bars forward of the damper knob like later series machines. This machine has the 7 o’clock sump which was produced from October 35 onwards, it has a miller mag dyno and a Lucas rear light.

The bottom picture has the horizontal mounts, which with the Amal Tidybars gives a more rear mounting. It also has a BTH mag/Dyno, a Powell & Hamner rear light and is a 6 o’clock sump engine. This engine was produced from July - Oct 1935 and only 29 comets were made like this. This was probably made nearer the end of this date range as it does not have BTH headlight.

I did a lot of research into the early machines when I rebuilt mine.

Mark
Click to expand...
Much appreciated thank you.
 
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