Workshop Update - April 2026
- Andy Marks
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
What happened to April?! It was a busy month at Kingpin Components, with time split between the workshop, riding and the Stafford Classic Bike Show. This month’s update includes a stunning Velocette KTT, restocked Norton and Triumph parts, progress on new engine stands and a look at a couple of my own bikes currently in regular use.
Customers Projects
I think it's time to accept that what you are really reading this post for is the pictures of my customers fantastic bikes - so let's get straight to it.
NB: I only include pictures here after I have been given permission from the owner. Any pictures I am sent whilst working on, or supplying parts for, bikes will not get shared without your consent.
1948 Velocette KTT
Martin in Czech Republic sent me this picture of his simply stunning 1948 Velocette KTT. He has just fitted one of our Andre steering dampers to it.
New Blog and Technical Posts
A couple of new pages on the website this month. I get a lot of emails asking questions about our oil taps so I've been compiling them for some time and I have now published a page with the answers to most of the more common ones. If you have any more questions please get in touch, I'll do my best to help and then add the info to the FAQ page so we can help the next person.
I also wrote about my experience at the Spring Stafford Sale - overall it was a very positive couple of days and, I think, a turning point from the recent downhill trend. You can read both of these posts at these links.
What's New?
Back in Stock: Magneto Vernier Sprockets
These have been coming for a while. I picked up the sprocket wheels during April so they are now back in stock in 12T for Rudge as well as 15T and 16T for Norton. These were one of the very first items I started making through Kingpin Components so it's nice to see that they are still popular.
You can find them all here.
Back in Stock: Triumph Lightweight Engine Plates
I'm primarily focusing on Norton parts at the moment but these are a steady seller so when the last set ran out I added them to the restocking list. I got them laser cut alongside the Norton Engine Stands (more on them later).
I cut and weld the footrest pins in place and then give them a coat of primer to keep them looking smart until you are ready to paint them to match your bike.
They're now on the website again if you want a set.
What's Next?
Norton Single Engine Stands
These have taken a little longer than planned. But I have now collected the laser cutting, done the welding and taken them in for powder coating. They should be back in stock by the end of next week.
Personal Projects
As I said at the beginning, it's been a busy month. I got my 1929 Harley out after the winter lay up, charged the battery up and managed to get it started. It sounded rough until I put my foot on the back brake; the brake light came on and the engine stopped completely. A new battery solved it and I've been out on it several times since, including a 75 mile trip to pick up the verniers from my supplier. It's running a treat and I'm booked into a rally in France on it later in May, so I'll be writing about that soon.
I've had less luck with my CS1, it's oiling up spark plugs at an alarming rate. I've tinkered a bit but I think it's time to take the head and barrel off and see what's going on. I would like to take it to Wales for a week in June so hopefully I'll have done the work and be able to report back next month.
Finally, on the bike front, I took my 2023 Honda for its first MOT (which it passed) and have been using that for transport instead of the car. When the weather is nice you can't beat being on a bike!
That's all for April. If you are still reading, thank you. Hopefully I'll have some better news on the CS1 next month, and I will be able to tell you how I got on with the Harley in France.
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