A fair mix of emotions yesterday when I found a Bristol Hercules cylinder on ebay. Great that parts are turning up, and I scored a barrel to compliment the Centaurus I already had.

But absolutely gutted to find the seller had a piston and sleeve, already sold!! That would have saved me some grief. I’m trying not to think about it. So close!!

Still, I have access to a complete engine in Donnington, a sleeve, barrel and a few heads so there’s a fighting chance of getting everything I need. Worst case, I’ll make a piston and get the sleeve I do have hard chromed and ground back to size.

They look like a pair of robots on the bench, almost have a personality if their own! Before anyone suggests it though, I’m not making a V-twin. It’s been done already!!

Quite a job setting this lot up and well done Bob, 10/10 for patience! The flywheels have been bolted together for machining as a pair, to ensure that the crankshafts and crankpin run true once assembled. A lot of weight to swing on the Churchill lathe, great stuff!