Bradford Enclosed Crank

Found some time to have a look at my new purchase, this Bradford.

It seems to be in good shape apart from the paint job (I don't know why the head and mixer are a different colour to the rest of it). It's had a new tank as can be seen. I am unsure as to leave it as it is and just give it a 'working clothes' oily rag finish or to re-paint, opinions please. If I leave it as-is what should I do about the tank colour (black maybe?)

Anyway it's mechanically sound and started on the second swing of the handle after first nearly sending me into orbit when it kicked back (I was aware of this 'feature' of these engines but it still caught me by surprise). Once going it ran really well and was governed at around 400rpm. It was also surprisingly quiet which is nice.

The Wiko EK puts out a great spark and as I got the engine at a good price I'm well pleased. What to do with it cosmetically is my dilemma.

Here are some photos and a video of it running.

















Martyn

Runs well that, I would be pleased.

That is a beauty, these enclosed Bradfords always are great runners and starters.
I have had a few over the years. I wasn't aware of any kick back problem but I have neither ever had a handle; mine have always started great by pulling the flywheels which I consider a safer option anyway.
Paint wise I wouldn't change it, it doesn't look bad. This model seems to be one which appears in lots of different liveries, I am not sure what the correct colour actually is. I think I have seen original looking ones in green and blue.

Nice looking engine, I think I would leave the paint as it is. What's the signifcance of the 'R25.11.52' stamped on the plate, the date it was reconditioned by the factory?

mattblack wrote:What's the signifcance of the 'R25.11.52' stamped on the plate, the date it was reconditioned by the factory?

That's what I thought but I'm unsure if the company was still in existence in the 50's

Oooh - nice.  
IMHO - leave it as an oily rag jog and just match up the tank.

[quote="Garak"]Found some time to have a look at my new purchase, this Bradford.
[Anyway it's mechanically sound and started on the second swing of the handle after first nearly sending me into orbit when it kicked back (I was aware of this 'feature' of these engines but it still caught me by surprise). Once going it ran really well and was governed at around 400rpm. It was also surprisingly quiet which is nice.
The Wiko EK puts out a great spark and as I got the engine at a good price I'm well pleased. What to do with it cosmetically is my dilemma.]


Nice to see a looked after and wanted Bradford. There are a lot that come up for sale in auctions both on and off the internet stripped of the magneto by the seller because they wanted it for some or other open crank engine which was more valuable.

There is a thread on IF where someone has a Bradford with an advance and retard lever under the magneto. I'm not familiar with this on Bradfords and I once had an Avon saw with Bradford engine but that seemed to start ok on the handle.  I do have a Witte which has one and the magneto operates on a similar mechanism and boy do you need it on that to prevent a broken wrist using the handle.

OK, oily rag it is, 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil / white spirit (at this ratio I find it dries in around three to four weeks). The main body of the engine is Mid Brunswick Green (I've checked with a BS colour chart) so I'll do the tank in that.

This website says that the factory records are held at the Bradford Council Records Office so I'm going to see if I can obtain a copy.

More info about the owner of the company here

Martyn

mattblack wrote:Nice looking engine, I think I would leave the paint as it is. What's the signifcance of the 'R25.11.52' stamped on the plate, the date it was reconditioned by the factory?

Date of overhaul/maintenance by the MoD.

Garak wrote:

mattblack wrote:What's the signifcance of the 'R25.11.52' stamped on the plate, the date it was reconditioned by the factory?

That's what I thought but I'm unsure if the company was still in existence in the 50's

Although horizontal petrol engine production ended in the late 1940's, the re-named Bradford Diesel Engine Co went on to produce vertical diesels until at least the late 1960's.

Garak wrote:OK, oily rag it is, 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil / white spirit (at this ratio I find it dries in around three to four weeks). The main body of the engine is Mid Brunswick Green (I've checked with a BS colour chart) so I'll do the tank in that.

This website says that the factory records are held at the Bradford Council Records Office so I'm going to see if I can obtain a copy.

More info about the owner of the company here

Martyn

Bradford engine number 10246 was produced about late 1943 or early 1944. Possibly supplied to MoD for use with a fuel bowser, hence my opinion re overhaul date above.

The Bradford Gas Engine Co and John Robson (Shipley) Ltd are two separate companies. Bradford Gas Engine Co was started by Arthur Robson (son of John Robson), and later run by Sidney Robson (Arthur's son). By the time Bradford Gas Engine Co was up and running, the John Robson (Shipley) Co had been taken over by local entrepreneurs following some business issues incurred by John Robson. After that time the two companies were completely separate.

Blue Cat, thanks for all of the valuable information above.

Martyn

Finished and ready to rally this year.

I painted the tank to match the colour of the head and valve gear. The rest I decided to leave in working clothes / oily rag finish, just a quick treatment with boiled linseed oil / white spirit mix to give it some protection. I also cleaned the oil and crud from the woodwork and treated it with Briwax. I also changed the crankcase oil and made up a new ignition lead. In the end I think it turned out OK.

It runs great, a couple of swings of the handle and away she goes, I've set the speed to 400RPM just right to drive a Stuart Turner AF2 pump.