Saving Old Seagulls

Recent Perth auction.

Complete with good compression and spark. Incorrect prop nut.

With custom stand and perspex display case.

Bloody heavy thing........
http://s401.photobucket.com/user/collec ... /Watermota

VERY happy with this one!

BnC[/color]

Great score B.

Maybe a possibility to have running briefly at the next meet?

Are any others known to exist today?

Cheers
BP

Quite a few over here, I've seen 6 or 8 in total in various peoples collections, but as they were not in my area of interest, didn't pay much interest.

Because of space limitations, I chose to specialise in pre war Seagulls, class B European race motors & Seagulls that hold serious potential for racing.

AusOB_Collector wrote:Great score B.

Maybe a possibility to have running briefly at the next meet?

Are any others known to exist today?

Cheers
BP

A VERY brief start and stop Boyd. Yes at one of our meets.

This is a VERY old Dear, something rather special in Straya..... even though there are obviously a lot in the the UK according CharlesUK.

Around a 100 yrs old so gently and with respect.

Now how does one start it anyway?

There is a rim on the flywheel that gives some turning purchase........later ones had a rope sheave which makes things easier I believe.

I struggle with the compression trying to go past TDC one turn as if trying to start it.....

BnC

I wouldn't say a lot Bruce, but certainly a few, I know they were manufactured in Hampton Wick, London & sold new here between 1919 & about 1930 in small quantities.

The rim is used to start it.

Nice find Bruce. I very nearly bid on a 1920s Elto the other week, but at the last minute I decided against it.

Congratulations B,

Not sure how many of these still exist throughout Australia, but doubt there will be many in the same sort of condition as the one you now have. You should be absolutely stoked with your purchase.

In case you’re not already aware (unlikely) Watermota was one of many RBM brands marketed throughout Australia between approx. 1910 and 1930.

Speaking specifically of Watermota however, a quick search of Trove has revealed a distributor in Perth. See advert below:



Yours is no doubt earlier than the one pictured, and with the AOMCI decal, I would suggest it was either purchased from an overseas member of the AOMCI and imported as is, or possibly owned by a former member of the AOMCI here in Aus. The vendor you purchased from may be able to advise further.

Note also there are numerous other references to Watermota on Trove, worth a look when you have a spare half hour or so.

PS: I would suggest you simply pull on rim of the flywheel to start. Should be fairly easy with that sort of magneto.

Regards,
S

I checked the address.

This is cool!
I have been led to believe that this motor was purchased by the vendor in New Zealand..........long time ago. I am investigating further.

BnC[/color]

Shame they changed the top windows.... the old ones looked better!

What a great find, well Done

Just had a good look over the pics of the motor..... very nice. The water pick up hose looks a bit odd but other than that...

Collector Inspector wrote:

AusOB_Collector wrote:Great score B.

Maybe a possibility to have running briefly at the next meet?

Are any others known to exist today?

Cheers
BP

even though there are obviously a lot in the the UK according Charles

6 or 8 is far from "A LOT"
actually , it is a very few / a low number.
add for your interest ;
I have two models, one with the variable pitch prop and the other with the
standard lower unit.
I bought the first Watermota in Belgium
second came from the UK

regards from the Netherlands
Kees

Very cool old motor. Good score.!!

A case of the heart ruling the head, especially in my case. That is truly lovely (IMHO) The Workmanship that's gone into it is something that was taken for granted back then, but very rare nowadays. You lucky beggar!