Chater Lea FN, and other Chater Lea machines

[cardan]

As mentioned elsewhere, here's my 1904 Chater Lea FN, sold as a kit by Chater Lea and probably assembled in Australia.

Chater Lea made different lugs to suit different motors, and these are are to suit the motors that FN sold to other manufacturers. FN used a different method of engine mounting.

Cheers

Leon

[cardan]

As part of the Chater Lea FN project, I've done some research into CL motorcycle hubs. I turns out that CL used the same art work for the hubs in its 1904, 1907 and 1911 catalogues - the only change being the removal of the "steps" from the rear hub for 1911. Clearly the hubs changed little from their introduction (1903 was the first year of "motor fittings" for CL) though to WW1. Only serious anoraks will be interested that the shape of the ridge on the non-adjustable side of the front hub changed a bit some time between 1907 and 1911, even though the illustration in the catalogue didn't.

I'd imagine that pre-1913 Douglases used hubs like these.

Cheers

Leon

[cardan]

Yep I'm the sad guy in the corner of the pub who talks to himself.

C'mon Chris - you said you'd show me your Chater-Lea Fafnir!

Leon

[Dirt Track]

G'day leon and all.
Great looking machine Leon.
You have probably seen this on my flickr site but here it is again.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/flattank_motorcycles/6591861385/in/photolist-b3v1Jv-bmNQy2-bmNRHe-bmNQh2-amPDe2-amStsG-amSte1-amPCYH-ajLuQ9-ajHGHM-agtPxw-aeVxPW-aeSuwp-aeVipw-aeSuar-a5XYQ7-a4FWiH-a4JLEJ-a4JMHL-9YGLhb-9YGLLJ-qvPHVa-pRt9jr-qvF4yh-8fyfS4-9YGLz5-9Yec9p-9Yed5r-9UHq12-9UHpDg-9ULhfJ-9ULh4s-9ULfUb-9UHpPg-9ULgT1-9ULg6o-9UHptT-9ULfaN-9ShPKk-9SjZJs-94kGw4-8YRmsG-8L1i5W-8ic4qf-71tAF5-71pBA4-71pBvz-6VtHRS-6SRV2R-6SVYkf

Howard.

[Dirt Track]

Another one from my flickr site showing your model or one very close to it....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/flattank_motorcycles/8081358584/in/photolist-dj85mG-cz9WEE-93t7UU-8i8nu2-dj855Q-dj85vb-dj86vR-dj85Yc-dj84EU-dj84NA-dj83HJ-dj84W4-dj845S-dj84dj-dj83vG-dj85wt-dj83dG-dj835N-dj84hB-dj84pv-dj82qG-dj83v6-dj82i9-dj82yY-dj83CT-dj82aj-dj82VZ-dj81bQ-dj83eg-dj836a-dj81My-dj814G-dj82wK-dj7ZeU-dj7ZCU-dj7ZME-dj827K-dj7YU3-dj81J2-deHuMk-daReSZ-d8fyMu-d8fy9s-d47WvY-cEWYrw-bMyTSz-bMyTwR-byEe5w-bqZjb7-bk9hLV

[cardan]

Wow that direct chain drive would have to be rough! Just the thought of the chain snatch is making me uncomfortable...

Leon