Howard Gem G206, the oldest one left?

[charlie]

Looking good. JB Weld very useful stuff.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I looked on quite a few forums and it was the one plastic metal that was allways recommended. Now that it’s been rubbed down and painted it almost invisible.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Very good restoration. JB Weld is lovely stuff & I have used it many times

[vhgmcbuddy]

I trial fitted the rotor chain backing plate to make sure everything still lined up. Then set about changing the bearings. The bottom one took over 2 hours to extract with a lot of banging and swearing! Even our 75 tonne press wouldn’t touch it, however it was a common metric one so pleasantly cost only a few pounds.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

After painting the oil filter housing and rotor shaft clutch plate,the handles and tank were dry enough to refit.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Several years ago I purchased a new set of rotor covers off standen engineering. The price was quite eye watering, however because the covers on this machine were definatley past it, I decided to use them on it. They needed a lot of modifying to match the older type with metal being let in, seems welded up etc then smoothed off with filler.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

I then recieved a very nice package in the post off Titch from Machinery Decals. They really lift the appearance of the gem.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Several years ago I managed to buy a batch of N.O.S oil filters for gems so one was duly fitted.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

One of the items missing from this gem was the chain cover, early ones were plain with no adjuster cut out. They are like hens teeth, however I luckily had one in my store but it was quite battered and corroded. It took about a weeks worth of work to straighten.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

The starting handle rotating sleeve was sized as usual so this was got very hot. After prepping a few items I then sprayed most the loose parts. I also gave the rotor covers a rub down and another blow over as I wasn’t happy with the finish I’d got before.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

After the paint had set for a few days I started to build the old girl back up. After connecting up the handles and gear rods I’m pleased to report that all gears seem to select properly. I also highlighted some black bits and fitted the closest match I could find to the original grips.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

It took about 3 hours to get the rear rotor covers to line up. Some of this was caused by poor manufacturing process which is a little disappointing considering how much they cost and some of it was caused by trying to fit them to a machine they weren’t designed to fit. I also fitted a new decal and a new brass plate that I’d had made.

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[charlie]

Looking very smart.

[will-haggle]

Trewartha, Gregory and Doidge are still in business, in Callington, I would get in touch and see if they’ve got and old dealer plate which you can copy. They don’t seem to have e-mail.
http://www.scoot.co.uk/England/Cornwall/Callington/Trewartha-Gregory-%26amp%3B-Doidge-Ltd-CGVR022.html

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’ve got some business in the area in a couple of months time, so was going to call by.I find that you often get a better response in person, I’m hopping that they may have some records as to who they sold it to?

[Author]

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