[Martin Heckscher]

Hallo Brian & all,
As I have an original BTH M1 & M2 instruction book, I feel I had better put the record straight before it becomes accepted as magneto “fact” – these magnetos were most certainly supplied with an advance retard mechanism – it is there in print, in a photo and in 2 diagrams. I think I’m right in saying that the difference between a “K” & “M” magneto (not just BTH) was in the height of the armature above the base plate. I don’t know the differences between an M2 & MC2, but I am under the impression that an M2 was probably part of the standard spec of a Rep without lights – but it is well documented that as the factory lurched from one financial crisis to the next, they almost certainly fitted what the could get at any particular time, and were frequently forced to make changes to individual machines because preferred suppliers put them on “stop”.
Best wishes
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Dave,

I don’t know about articles in “Yowl”, nor whether or not this will be of any relevance or interest, but some years ago I bought a Replica frame, forks, and tank from Brian Marshall. Brian had already done some research via the West Yorkshire Archive Service. This revealed that the machine was registered on 26th March 1929 by The Scott Motor Cycle Co. Ltd. in their own name. We don’t know what use it was put to by the factory for the next few weeks.

When I later checked the numbers in the factory despatch book I discovered that the machine was despatched to Ixion in Bexhill on 10th May 1929, just 6 or 7 weeks after it was first registered – so presumably it was his 1929 long term test bike. It must have been returned to the factory later in the year, because the West Yorkshire records show that it was subsequently sold by Scott Motors, Leeds on 25th January 1930 to one John Wyld who kept it until 1956.

There is every reason to believe that Scotts supplied the Ixion with a machine annually: in a great article published in “The Motor Cycle” on 8th January 1931 he writes about “What I rode in 1930”. He writes:
……”Next on my list comes that hardy annual, my Scott – this season it was a Sprint Special”….. He goes on to heap praise on the Sprint, but the article is too long for me to copy here.

Best wishes to all
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Yes, I happen to know that Nick made that batch, one of the pipes ended up with me.

[Martin Heckscher]

There’s another one in the National Motorcycle Museum which they kindly lent to us for the club stand at Stafford a couple of years ago.

[Martin Heckscher]

Hallo Steve,
You can take it as read that all committee members are fully aware of the website postings.
You may also like to know that the groundswell of membership opinion expressed at section meetings does not necessarily tally with the opinions aired on the forum. It may even be the case that the opinions expressed are those of a vocal minority. Indeed some of these postings have been made by non-members.
The committee is not as ridiculously out of touch with the membership or the modern world as has been suggested.
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

This may or may not be relevant but a few years ago I bought a Scott which had been fitted with a Boyer Bransden system. It ran OK, but starting was terrible. It is now back on a nice little BTH M2 mag. It runs even better than it did before, and it starts when I want it to. I am no electronics engineer, and have no idea what caused the problems, but I shall stick to magnetos!

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Phil,
Ian Parsons, the club registrar, will be able to tell you if the club has any record of your bike. His contact details are in “Yowl”. Good luck with it!
Martin Heckscher

[Martin Heckscher]

I have been using Tim Green’s new long reach plugs in my two speeder for the 9 months or so. They work well & and it’s a more convenient option than machining down NGKs to achieve the same result.
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

I have a vague idea that the original H52 had the ammeter in the back of the lamp, and that around 1930 it moved to the top with the switch at the back.
Some spares (and complete lamps) are being re-manufactured by Jiri Horice in the Czech Republic – and he is normally at Stafford for the April show. However his lamps are designed to work on the 2 brush system so quite a few of the individual parts which he offers are not compatible with the original lights (I have already been down this road!). He makes a lot of very good replica items.
Check out his website: https://www.vintage-replica.cz/indexE.htm
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Dear Carl,
I guess you have looked at the pictures on pages 18-19 of John Underhill’s “Second Scott Selection”? Very helpful regarding the lining, but being black & white they don’t help much with the colours.
Good luck!
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Carl,
Congratulations on your purchase! I admired the outfit at Verralls a couple of months ago. I’m glad it’s gone to a good home.
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Bob,
I can’t comment on Titch’s plywood suggestion, but very recently when I fitted new spindles to a set of Monarch forks, I fitted some suitably sized O rings in an attempt to reduce the problem that you describe. It is too early to say whether or not they will make any difference.
Previously, with grease contaminated friction material, I found that I needed to use more leverage on the adjuster than I could apply with fingers alone in order to gain the required level of damping. I did worry slightly about whether I would break or damage the adjuster but it survived unscathed.
Best wishes
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Eddie,

I’m not sure whether or not it is correct, or appropriate, for committee members to state their personal views on the forum – but for what it’s worth my own feeling is that the combined event at Abbotsholme is a big advance over the tired event that used to happen at Stanford Hall.

At Stanford Hall there was never enough time to do everything, and there was no riding element. This is after all a motorcycle club!

I am told that lots of members would rather be at Stanford Hall. Well, over the last two years only one member has expressed that opinion to me, but there have been countless comments in favour of Abbotsholme.

I think it would be a pity to lose the whole weekend format that we have just enjoyed so much. However, if the counter proposal is that a full weekend event at Abbotsholme is to be maintained, and a separate one day event is to be established, I suppose I should keep an open mind. I just can’t see any appeal in the static old Stanford Hall format.

I suppose that those members who have come along only on the Sunday may possibly see little difference – just a new venue. Well, the whole appeal of Abbotsholme is the Friday to Sunday format and all that the additional time allows. Come & experience it if you haven’t already. We are surely the envy of many other clubs who would love to stage such an event.

I cannot see what is to be gained by changing what has become, in only 2 1/2 years, the best event in the Scott Club calendar over the whole 26 years that I have been a member.

Very best wishes to all
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Mike,
I suggest that you contact my friend Swen Dolenc in Germany. He makes a full range of vintage control levers which are available in both chrome and nickel. His email address is flattank@yahoo.de
Best wishes
Martin

[Martin Heckscher]

Hi Steve,
I think the Brough club may have the star washer that you need. I don’t know if they supply non-members, but the contact is mikesmithbsc@hotmail.com
Good luck
Martin

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