Nippy mk 3 restoration

I bought a nippy about 4 years ago. Although complete everthing was siezed solid. I couldnt move the piston eventually taking the crankcase to pieces leaving the barrel on the piston. after three months of soaking the barrel in parrafin and plus gas I gave up and smashed the piston to separate. I built up the engine with new bearings and obtained a piston which was a close match The barrel was machined to match the piston and porting and rings filed to suit. This took a bit of time but now I have sustained running of the engine I am looking to continue the rebuild and would like advice from others who have already done so. For example what are the colour codes for paint. is the writing on the tank signwritten or transfer, can I get the wheel remis plated also the pedal cranks. Any preferred sources for cables and tubes.I hope this forum builds up and thank the efforts of the originator
I am a club member
motorwiz

Hello motorwiz,It is bad enough finding the colour codes on modern cars,which are supposed to have them,let alone on 50 year old Normans.I went to Halfords and looked at their paint section which has aerosols of paint to repair most modern cars.I have tried their paint but find that it chips easily and so I buy an aerosol and try the colour to see if it matches and then get a local paint supplier to make up a tin of paint,using the colour code on the can.If you explain what the paint is for you can still have it made for you in celloluse if you want.Although if you are very ,VERY careful and follow the safety instructions you can get a lovely finish with 2 pack.I have just painted my Nippy using a small spray gun intended for car touch up work.Much easier for the niggly little bits than my full size gun.The tank transfers are available from The Vintage Motorcycle Club.The only bit that I have not worked out yet is how to paint the thin white line on the tank,using lining tape feels like a cheat.Have fun and let us know how you get on.Paul

The bike is now totally in bits apart from a couple of broken bolts I got everything undone using plus gas and a bit of heat. I noticed that this bike had gold lining on the mudguards. The front forks must have been off at some time as a spacer from the top yolk to forks was missing and been replaced by a large nut. I am going to strip all the paint and derust before I decide how to paint or leave it to the professionals. Did they paint the bike assembled or paint the parts then assemble ? The front forks have been painted white at some time. The headlight has been permantly wired on I dont know why as it is so slow it is unlikely to catch up a bike! Also the frame and engine numbers match the original buff logbook.
Motorwiz

Hello Mr,Wiz.my Nippy was all gold except for the forks which were white.The paint was all original and I remember quite a few Nippys had white forks.I have repainted it gold as I was told that it was an unusual colour scheme.The only lining on my machine was around the fuel tankThe forks were the same colour as the plastic headlamp cowl.I used to know the man who painted the white lines on the Nippys, he also played a mean piano.My nippy is nearly back together after the painting.I am looking forward to riding it again.By for now Paul

I see you have put your Nippy together well done. I have ordered new wheel rims and stainless spokes and sent small parts for rechroming. All metal parts have been stripped to bare metal and given a coat of rust primer or primer filler where there are rust indentations. I will get a local painter to respray all parts except fot the stand which I will paint in black. The problem will be the little bits. One pedal has been welded into the pedal crank so I am looking for a pair. The plastic headlamp surround was broken and has now been reshaped with a plastic repair. The headlamp reflector is badly corroded and the headlamp bulb has failed on one filament so that is another item to find.

Hello Motorwiz,To get a replacement bulb try Paul Goff on 01494868218 or www.norbsa02.freeuk.com he has got lots of old style bulbs and supplied me with a set for my B1S Norman.I am not sure that a moped has to have dipping headlamps,other mopeds I have been involved with have only had single filament lamps.You had better ask your MOT man about that,although he might say"that if it is fitted it must work".I took my Nippy to the Norman day at the Willesborough Windmill and someone there was saying that Nippys were painted all sorts of colours although he did not remember seeing a gold one before.My gold was the original colour as I took the machine down to bare metal and found only gold paint under the grime of 50 years.Keep at it,the first ride down the road makes up for all the trials and tribulations.Paul