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[Shackeng]

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Started by rebuilding bicycles from 10 onwards, started building 'bitsa' bikes from my early teen, moved onto repairing and rebuilding motorbikes and cars
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I honestly believe that this is an early sign that shows whether a young boy is mechanically minded/interested or not. Talking of 'Bitsa' bikes, the first scrambler we built was a Villiers 197cc engine, fitted in to a Triumph Tiger Cub frame, with Renthall handlebars and Preston Petty mudguards. Can't get much more bitsa than that. 

Mine was an ex-WD 350cc rigid framed hand change Ariel, converted to foot change (about 4" travel IIRC), BSA tele front forks, AMC plunger swinging arm, and I scrambled it for 3 seasons. So about the same.

Thinking about it, it was already foot change when I got it, but the original gear box linkage was modified, probably by Ariel, from (a pre war?) hand change model, hence the exceptionally long lever travel, necessitating removing the foot from the rest, not ideal for a scrambler.

[Bigron]

Meccano is still made - you can even buy new sets in Tesco and Wilkos..

Though I think the older Meccano seems more inviting somehow:

Thanks Aaron, I didn't know that. Is it still metal, or plastic now?
Meccano was about the only thing my father "helped" me with - our one moment of togetherness!

Ron.

[aaronjb]

Still metal I think - the company has changed hands a few times though (I did some Googling) and I'm not sure it's made in England anymore

I had a tiny Meccano set as a kid that I inherited from my late uncle - loved it, but not as much as I loved my Technic Lego and I certainly never built anything as impressive as the two models pictured (they were at the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition last October); the scale of the aircraft isn't as evident in the picture as it was in real life!

[ronnyd]

Still metal I think - the company has changed hands a few times though (I did some Googling) and I'm not sure it's made in England anymore

I had a tiny Meccano set as a kid that I inherited from my late uncle - loved it, but not as much as I loved my Technic Lego and I certainly never built anything as impressive as the two models pictured (they were at the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition last October); the scale of the aircraft isn't as evident in the picture as it was in real life!

Made in Calais so not too far away.

[Andy B]

I started with Meccano - who didn't? Great product, pity it is no more. 

Ron.

James may's Meccano motor bike was brilliant 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTpAsYe2kFM