Bitza SR1(A)

Roly Williams · Bitza SR1(A)

My "build an SR1 from bits in my spares box" project has reached the stage where I've collected all the bits required, repaired / restored them as required and purchased the few I didn't have to hand:

http://rolysphotos.fotopic.net/p34013479.html

The only bits I had to buy new were the hub caps and burner. I also had to buy a length of screwed rod to repair the king pin on the front fork. The rest of the bits were already in my spares box in various states from almost new to barely recognisable rust heaps.

The rolls themselves and the smoke box / chimney were obviously from an SR1A. Being mazac, they just needed cleaning, stripping and repainting. The axles, however, had to be derusted.

The front fork was tricky. It was so rusted that the king pin had rusted right through. I drilled that out and replaced it with a length of threaded rod. The fork itself took quite a bit of derusting before it could be painted.

The firebox appears to be from a TR1 because it has the attachment for the canopy. It was in badly rusted condition. I've derusted and repainted it but it still looks a bit rough. A lot of the chrome plating has disappeared and there isn't much I can do about that without spending serious money. The bunker (skuttle) is from a TE1A but is identical to the SR1A. It was in almost new condition so I've not done anything to it.

The boiler is a second hand but unused item that I've had as a spare for a while. It is the correct size for a roller or wagon.

The engine bracket was probably from a TE1A because it had the slightly longer exhaust pipes to suit the longer boiler. I have shortened these and repainted the bracket.

The engine moving parts are standard Mamod and could have come from almost anything. The crankshaft was slightly rusty but no problem.

The whistle, safety valve and water level plug are standard Mamod and could have come from anything. However, I remember the whistle came from a stationary (SE2?).

The two special copper pop rivets for the boiler back end are genuine Mamod spares. The other three for the smokebox are standard items.

The hub caps are new.

The burner is a new reproduction from Forrest Clasics.

I had to think about exactly which medel I'm building. I have meths burner, water level plug (no sight glass) and old style whistle etc. However, the engine is the reversible type. I would say I'm building an early SR1A.

I now have to assemble the whole thing and hope they all fit together!

Mamodman123

Should look quite good when all together

SPOKESMAN

Not a lot of parts to them . . . should be interesting. Nice to see the turned brass whistle.

Wallace

Nice stuff Roly. Will be interesting to see it come together

I look forward to the day where I have a spare parts box

Roly Williams

Well I've assembled my Bitza SR1A:

http://rolysphotos.fotopic.net/c1076593.html

Only a couple of minor problems during assembly. Soldering the steam feed pipe into the boiler using my miniature blow torch inevitably damaged the paint on the boiler. The boiler was already painted as I acquired it; otherwise I would have left the painting till after the soldering. Oh well, I had to mask off all the black and unpainted bits and respray the exposed section of boiler.

One of the holes in the smoke box didn't line up with the corresponding hole in the boiler. That was soon fixed with a needle file.

Other than that, it all fitted together as it should (much to my surprise!).

Then came the steam test. Here came the first major problem. One of the special copper pop rivets, which are propper Mamod replacements and are supposed to be water-tight, wasn't. I suspect the copper head split on the inside because water started dribbling out of the hole as soon as there was any pressure. I was in a bit of a quandry about how to fix it. The propper way would be to drill out the rivet - easier said than done - and fit another. The alternative was to plug the rivet with solder - also easier said than done without b*****ing up the paint again! I decided the latter was the easier, although technically a bodge. Fortunately, being copper, it took the solder easily and it didn't damage the paint too badly.

Having fixed that, I refilled and resumed the steam test with no more problems. I did notice some water dripping out from the bottom of the smokebox after a few minutes but I'm assuming (hoping) that that was exhaust condensate.

I haven't tried it with the flywheel coupled to the roll because modern Mamod drive bands are thicker than they used to be and won't fit in the slot in the roll. I'm going to have to buy some Wilesco ones which, so I'm told, are thiner.

All in all, a fairly quick and fun project which resulted in an early SR1A being added to my collection at verry little cost.

MTA

you'd never had guessed it was built from parts (to the untrained eye that is

), very well done Roly

Mamodman123

There was no way of avoiding damaging the paint, not really sure how mamod did it?

MTA

They could've had a jig that slipped over the boiler, that covered the paint, and leaving a hole for the steam pipe...

Mamodman123

Griffin

A good end result there Roly, Well done

Wallace

Looks great Roly, well done!

SPOKESMAN

Looks tidy Roly, did you repaint the boiler too? the old apple green Mamod paint looks excellent!

Roly Williams

Manxman

Very nice looking engine and it's always good to see another mobile join the forum pages.

Sandman

Now being a Scotsman Roly, this project appeals to me.

A super end product from what was essentially bits and bobs is an inspiration to us all. I would be proud to have the roller in my collection as I'm sure you are.

It is another reminder never to throw anything steam related away.

Magic Stuff.

Roly Williams