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This is what restoration is all about.  Taking something that looks fit for the bin and bringing it back to life. The clutch cover.

A quick wire brush, a rub with some wet and dry and I reckon it'll be ready.  Nearly.

Oil pump drive removed along with the clutch actuating mechanism.  The inside of the cover is in superb condition!  The outside not so.  Time for the Dremel fitted with a tiny wire brush.

The Dremel did the business - now for the paint.  This time I armed myself with paint stripper.  

Fantastic stuff!  Just need a scraper (plastic filler spreader is ideal because it won't scratch the metal) and we're away.  Better to wear gloves when doing this because that stuff stings a bit!

Time for the 120 grit wet and dry and a wash in the sink while no-one's about... 'looks around nervously'.

Time to get back in the garage before I get found out.

It's a good idea to clean out all of the threads.  Corrosion, instant gasket (silicone) and damaged threads all cause havoc when rebuilding so sort it out as you go along.  A good tap and die set is a must when restoring.

Right, let's give it a whirl.

That'll ding dang do for me.  Just needs the paint rubbing off the letters and it'll be right.

Not too bad to be fair.  Time to make a start on the stator cover.

Wilcomoto Motocross and Enduro Bikes.

Anyone heard of these?

Air-cooled, 500cc two-stroke, motocross and enduro bikes. Built in Herefordshire, England in the early 1980's by the Wilcox brothers. 
Innovative in their day, featuring single-shock with remote reservoir mounted on the swingarm. Front hub and disc is one unit, cast out of Magnesium, with the disc hard-chromed, and the wheels were built locally in Ross-on-Wye (possibly by Gordon Lucas). The engine was lightly based on the YZ465 lump and is well-engineered, with what looks like a provision for a power-valve cast into the barrel. The reed block itself is huge, with eight sets of petals! 
From what I've heard, it was let down by an overheating rear shock, but information is scarce. If you know more, please get in touch.

Rare as you like and something I'd love to get finished. I do have an engine, and various cycle parts, so it's a start!

Anybody got any information on them? I'd love to hear about your experiences or post your pictures up if you have some.

In the meantime, check out my Wilcomoto website.