Hitchcocks Forum

I have just acquired a 1954 250cc Clipper that has been dry stored for 30 years and its going to be a project with my 10 year old grandson. Its all there except for the tool boxes air filter and I think the petrol tank might be past it. I anybody has the parts and is prepared to part with them I would be pleased to here from you

Rush, air filter was optional on the Clippers so that's one problem solved? Our Hosts have the toolboxes available new but sadly the bike won't be worth much when finished so the cost/result ratio is up to you! REgards, Mark

Good little learner machine though and lets face it none of these old machines are going to make us rich in anything but experience. If the tank is badly rusted then I'd start looking for a replacement as repairing an old rusty tank is a recipe for frustration,expense and ultimate failure.

Well if I was 10, I would dearly love a grandad who would spend time with me working on a motorbike, any motorbike. When I was 14 an 'uncle' who lived down the road, gave me his Raleigh RM1 moped which I learnt to ride around a farmer friends field. Giant oaks from acorns and all that.

Midge,i still have a Raleigh RM1 lying about.beyond economic recovery though.
i had a 250 Clipper chopper back in the 70's! long forks,apes,peanut tank,banana seat and straight thru'pipe,i loved it! reg.was 32 BRA

Hi Rush,
It was in 1966 that I bought a 250 Clipper for £17. 10 shillings. My first proper motorcycle after a disasterous time with a LI150 Lambretta scooter. I lived in Belfast at the time and used it to go to Cootehill in Co.Cavan most weekends a distance of almost 180 miles round trip. It also carried me via the Larne Stranraer ferry to the Lake District laden down with camping and walking gear! What a bike! I was smitten and as others have said the rest is history
But I digress. This poor overworked bike ended its active days as a field bike on my dad's farm where it was driven to death by my younger brother and eventually languished in the back of a hay barn for years. I dug it out about 20 years ago and brought it back to Manchester, restored it rode it to various local shows and eventually sold it to a RE collector in Preston or Skelmserdale. Unfortunately I have no spares for this wonderful little machine but I do have a number of "before and after" photographs taken at the time of the restoration which are somewhere upstairs. If they would help with your project I would be willing to copy them and let you have them. What area do you live in?
Incidenly the little Clipper also made a life-long motorcyclist out of my brother who currently rides a BMW RT.
Ian

Hi Ian IF IT is the same Ian that I know from a certain secure unit then , Hi from Mike S who was a SRSW at the same establishment and we both have same interest in motorcycles.
please get in touch at . [email protected]

Hi Mike,
Good to hear from you, a real blast from the past as they say. I was that teacher! I've retired eight years now but still as mad about bikes as ever. Still living in the same area with a 1992 500 Bullet and a Honda Varadero shortly to be joined by a CX500.
I will send you an email soon when the dust settles after hospital treatment for damaged heels and ankles.....don't ask!
Ian

hi Ian hope your ok i trust your enfield is well you ought to come out with noel and the crew when we do a northwest ride send me your mobile number via my e mail [email protected] and i,ll send details of rides in my group texts i might also have a few guys riding Russian iron as a few have joined my facebook forum paul diesels motorcycle forum for enfield and russian motorcycles but all are welcome we have a growing band of contributors atb paul

Sounds like a nice project. Won't be worth a fortune when it's finished (do you care?) but if you both enjoy building it and enjoy a few rides out, then it'll be well worth it. For me it's all about the fun factor. Enjoy.