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I have just bought a 1929 Squirrel but I don’t know the exact model. The log book says 596 but the engine no (FZ1869A) would suggest a 500. I have attached a link to some pictures and would be grateful for any information. Cheers Drew
Hi Drew. Your purchase is not a Squirrel, which was an earlier model. It is a Flying Squirrel Tourer. It appears to be substantially correct except for the exhaust system, rear mudguard stays, rear number plate, and a few other details. Join the club ASAP if you haven’t already done so, and enjoy your Scott.
Regards, Brian
Welcome to the forum Drew! Seems like a nice looking bike!
Hope you get it ready soon!
Happy Scotting,
Erik
Thanks for that!. Is there any more info you can give me regarding engine no etc and what bits are incorrect? I am also after information on the ‘blind head’ – why was this introduced? Basically I am after any expert input I can get. I have never owned a Scott before although I have restored other makes. Just finished a Triumph Bonneville(am I allowed to mention that name on this blog?!)
I have joined the club and received my bumf through the post but as yet I dont have a signon for the members area.
cheers
Drew
@drew wrote:
Thanks for that!. Is there any more info you can give me regarding engine no etc and what bits are incorrect? I am also after information on the ‘blind head’ – why was this introduced? Basically I am after any expert input I can get. I have never owned a Scott before although I have restored other makes. Just finished a Triumph Bonneville(am I allowed to mention that name on this blog?!)
I have joined the club and received my bumf through the post but as yet I dont have a signon for the members area.
cheers
Drew
Hi Drew,
Of course you can mention “Bonneville”. So long as you wash your mouth afterwards ;o) I guess quite some people own other bikes too. Or not as Scott people are a kind of strange breed… I myself have several classic scooters, now that’s swearing on a bike forum!
The engine number FZ states it is a shortstroke 500 engine. However, quite a lot of these were overbored to accept 600 pistons sometime in their life. And the blind head? Well blind heads were very common in the veteran days. My 1927 JAP also has a blind head barrel. iN my opinion the blind head Scott engines are nicer to look at than the later ones with a seperate head. Less bulky. But that is a matter of taste of course.
You can get a member section password by sending Paul Wilson an emial or pm. But there is not so much in that section. “General Scott topics” is the place to be.
In addition on the incorrect parts Brian mentioned: (placed some pictures of my 1927 Flyer)
– it seems that the rear stand is homemade.
– the rear brakedrum seems very small. Normally it is a bit larger:
– your radiator seems to be recored sometime. It should be honeycombe. But most important is that it should not leak
I have my doubts concerning the magdyno that is fitted, could be that this should be a BTH but I am not sure. And while I am nagging… I guess the lining on the tank should be red instead of gold. The white panels are correct for the year.
But to put your mind at ease: NO two Scotts are the same! As Scott was always kind of bankrupt they would make any bike to customers spec just to sell one! I guess quite different from “mass produced” models like the Bonnie.
And if I am wrong on any of the points above, I am not an expert! Try and take your Scott to the Abbotsholme Centenial event. There will be so much knowledge there, you will be blasted away!
Cheers,
Erik
Drew: Welcome to the Club – misery should always have some friends! In truth I’m a jealous, it look like a nice project and at least you have most of the bits!
There are two CD’s that you should try to get; Steven Endicott’s CD of “Technicalities” is a “tour de force” and the “Illustrated Spare Parts of Scott Motorcycles” is also a mine of information.
Erik: If people had told me when I was 18 that Triumph was going to be, effectively, the last British motorcycle manufacturer I’d have laughed in their faces! But Bonnevilles? Ugh!!! – I’ve towed more than one of them home and on your sly comment about “oral cleaning”, frankly, after uttering the word “Triumph”, I don’t think that soap will be sufficient. . . !
Scooters? You at least have one remaining friend in the Club so “swear” along ‘cos I’ve got a Moto Rumi Tipo Sport. Well at least it’s a 2stroke twin, so ‘tis my excuse!
Hello Drew – nice bike. I wouldn’t worry about the rear hub if I was you. If your bike is a 1929 tourer (which I think it is) the rear hub should be a Webb hub rather than an Enfield cush hub – yours looks right to me but I’m prepared to be put right if I’m not!!
I will try to copy and post the picture from the 1929 brochure which will show that your bike is pretty much correct, subject to a few touches such as the exhaust.
Send a request to John Underhill, the club registrar and he will probably have details of your bike and the works records are with the VMCC in Burton on Trent which will give you conclusive details of its dispatch. (However, I think 1928-9 records might be missing).
Welcome to the club!