Hitchcocks Forum

Hi Everyone.

Right I have finally managed to get the bike out of my shed after 5 years FINALLY .. which is a good sign. but I have a few questions before I start working on it, I seem to have lost all my notes etc that I use to refer, can someone tell me PLEASEeeeeeeeeee

1. Oil change - what oil should I use

2. Rust - Everything seems to have rust on it , all the chrome has spots of rust.. How can I remove it all.. I use to use vinegar or aluminium foil.

3. I am in birmingham I need to get it MOT'ed can someone suggest me a good place where I can get some help.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated Please.


Thanks to everyone in Advance.

Oil, a good 20/50, (don't waste money on synthetic,) there's a thread on a decent cheap type on here now. Rust, your method works on chrome, use that! MOT I don't know but someone will. If it's been in the shed for 5 years check the tyres haven't cracked or it will fail! Good luck! REgards, Mark

1, Any decent 20/50
2,All depends what you want. If you want *shiny* then you need to strip down to bare metal and re-paint. If you want "oily rag" you need just that, an oily rag! Waxhoyl applied with a brush and wiped off will keep the rust at bay and give a reasonably tidy bike.
Rust on chrome will always come back unless you keep it is protected but I find very fine steel wool (000) and oil will get rid of the surface stuff.
3, Can't help you there.

Hi BIK--------- First of all}---- Congratulations !!!! I know just what it's like to have something "in the shed" with all the good intentions of "getting it out ----- one day" ......... Some extra things to consider, given the length of time its' been stored}----a), Throw any old petrol away, check the fuel tank insides for water/rust and have it treated accordingly ----b), Similarly the carb might need a full strip, Ultrasonic clean and re-build using Ethanol resistant items where appropriate ----c), Fit new fuel lines anyway and fit an in-line filter ( just in case !!) ----d) Battery will more than likely need changing for new -------- e),Consider checking or changing the seal on the timing side end of the crankshaft ( If it's an old cork type it's likely to have gone hard or brittle ........f), Have a look at the regulator/rectifier spade connectors for corrosion.....That should keep you busy for a day or two--------

Removing this spotty type rust I generally use my thumbnail and something like WD 40 and work on every little spot. Very tedious and I might spend half an hour working of some part and then walk away and come back later and work on another section. This all depends on how big the problem is and how fast your thumbnail grows, but at least it doesn't damage the surface any further. Obviously some chrome will be damaged beyond repair but you can also use aluninium foil with a bit of WD 40 as well for reasonable results, the aluminium sort of coats the rust spot

Hi Bik , I live just south of Birmingham and use Sheldon Motorcycles on the Coventry Rooad for my MOT's . Found them pretty good , at least they know what an Enfield is!! Here's their website : www.sheldonmotorcycles.co.uk/

Regards , Roy B

Try CHAS MANN MOTORCYCLES - kings norton. They sell RE's.

or a recommendation by an RE owner :-

Redline MotorCycles Bristol rd, NorthfieldLongbridge .

Thank you guys,, Much appreciated.

I have now changed oil , cleaned the carb, the plugs and other things and as suggested changed the petrol and Alan R suggested have put a in line filter .. and VOILA it starts .. Oh what lovely sound it makes dug dug dug dug .

Spending lots of time removing the rust , hopefully end of the weekend it shud be ready to go on road and get a MOT done ...

Thank you for all the help