1905 Rex 465cc

This machine is not part of my collection, but I did rebuild it from a sad collection of parts that some other person had worked on at some previous time. This work mainly consisted of a frame that had been painted the wrong colour and professionally lined, but no remedial work had been carried out before painting. The wheel rims had suffered a similar fate – while hopelessly buckled and bent, and deeply rust pitted – they too had received a coat of black paint! Basically all the parts were there apart from the correct carburettor being replaced by a much later item, and the elegant Rex petrol tank had been cut away to provide the room to fit this later carburettor.

The machine belonged to a friend, and included in the pile of pieces was parts of another Rex, and a quantity of unrelated bits including most of a 1920s flat twin Harley Davidson. I undertook to restore the 1905 Rex to it's original state, but this included making a replica of an early carburettor from scratch, starting with the making of a casting pattern. New wheel rims were sourced, and the butchered petrol tank was rebuilt to it's original state, and odd missing parts were remanufactured. It was eventually realised that the engine barrel had suffered in relation to the original exhaust system, and after considerable research, this was also put right. Apart from the new carburettor, which is completely hidden from sight, this machine is now in as new condition.

Upon completion, the rest of the pile – which had by now been identified as the incomplete remains of a 1906 Rex, that a previous owner had attempted to rebuild into a forecar – this misguided effort had included plans to increase the bore and stroke of the engine – luckily this idea had not progressed further than a detailed drawing stage. So, after some negotiation, I acquired the parts, and eventually rebuilt the bike back to it's original state.