Hello from Herefordshire

[nickg]

Hi

Just taken delivery of old friend and Club member JohnC's 1930s Cotton in buckets! The plan is to work on it together and try and get it on the road after too many years. More than slightly daunted!!

Purchased as a grass tracker in the 1970s but now has bits to make a 250 Rudge engine with 3sp Burman to put in it. My first job is to make up engine plates and I am struggling to find an image of a Cotton with a 250 Python to get an idea of how low and what angle to hang it. A pic of the front bracket would be a useful clue as the rear will then follow. I have the Blackburn plates.

Any leads for 250 Python pics welcome!!

Nick Grant

[CPR]

Hello Nick.
Welcome to the Cotton Owners Club
Back in September 2016 and December 2016 editions of our club magazine, there are articles on rebuilding a 1931 25RP Cotton Python.
In the December 2016 edition it does show a picture of the drive side engine plates.
I did have spare copies of these editions but have been giving some club magazine copies away at bike shows. So they may have all gone.
I will have a look to see what is left.

Regards

Chris R

[cottonjo]

The 2016 Cotton Pickins articles are by Alan Freke. This is the person I suggested Nick contacts for any Python information. The Python in the articles has never been completed and will appear in the for sale section of the next VMCC journal. I can send Nick copies of the articles, but Alan will have the originals and much more. Good Luck Nick, let me know if yoywant me to send you the articles.
Paul

[nickg]

Thanks Chris and Paul.

Don’t want to put you out but if one of you can email me a copy or even a photo of the article that would be great.

Not called Alan yet, trying to line up my questions!

Nick

[CPR]

Hi Nick.
I have found the magazines with the Python articles. If you send me a personal message with your address I will send them to you.

Chris R

[cottonjo]

Hi Nick,
Alan Freke's Cotton Python will be in the next VMCC journal that is in the post. He is asking for offers. More importantly for you perhaps, is that he also has a spare set of Rudge engine plates for a 250 Cotton that he would be willing to sell separately to an enthusiastic Cotton owner at "mates rates".
Good luck
Paul

[nickg]

Thanks Paul, I'd better call him. I'm just recovering from COVID.

Nick

[nickg]

Magazines arrived, thanks Chris. Really useful. Had a good chat with Alan.

[nickg]

Been meaning to post pic at risk of being told I have done something stupid!! May not be the same as originals but the engine fits and sprockets all line up! Laser cut in 6mm steel for under £30 at Central Engineering in Hereford. (Alan's plates were from a different bike in the end but he has been very helpful).

Nick

[nickg]

Great to meet Paul, Paul, Charles and Chris at the Shepton Mallet Show last weekend. Forgot to thanks you for the Magazines Chris.

Thanks for the Bowden carb Paul.

Really useful seeing the bikes and thanks for the various tips.

Nick

[nickg]

Just spent a productive 2 days with John C rebuilding the engine and gearbox.

Would have been very difficult to get to this stage without some crucial help of Club members, thanks.

Still plenty to do!

[cottonjo]

Looking good, well done.
Paul

[nickg]

Update an a big thanks  to club members who have helped get this far, in particular both Pauls, Chris and Charles and of course my old friend and the original owner John.

Need to make a rack (for the tool roll!) and paint the bare metal bits but need to get some miles on her before a trip to Gloucester!

Cycle speedo says 51 miles traveled (not without several gearbox rebuilds) and max speed also 51 mph. Average speed was less! 

Nick