Saving Old Seagulls

Whatever the visitors to this board feel about the auctions on Ebay it has to be said that it is an opportunity to view more engine pictures across the world. Some are good, some poor, some amusing and some simply heart rending. Some raise curiosities like this fine 1953 "Little Forty"at :http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0071628317
Nice photography. But what about the fuel line? This appears to be metal pipe rather than the more usual black plastic or "aftermarket" fabric reinforced clear tubing. Is it really nickel plated copper pipe? And is the bright plated Ewarts tap original ? Checking through the parts list doesn't help when trying to confirm materials!

Yes the very early little Forty models did indeed have copper fuel lines, some elegantly shaped into anti vibration coils too!

Suspect the motor in question was one of these!

I have grave misgivings about E-Bay and it's auctions, invitation for rogues to advertise slightly shady or downright dodgy gear, also opportunist dream, to rip off the poor punter with inflated prices on their 'buy it now' and even worse p&p prices!

Regards,
john
SOS

I've looked at that one, and it looks fine to me apart, as you say, from the plastic (yeucchh!) pipe.

But new plated pipes are available...

Little Model Forties are a passion of mine. I love the little tanks, I really like the wacky design of the power head, and the sheer impossibility of dismantling the drive shaft casing from the water pump housing poses a sweet challenge.