Jules’ favorite bike 1928 101 Scout

[FLFD7]

Well, time for another bike build. This particular bike used to belong to my friend Jules. He had several 101 Scouts, but this one was his favorite. Jules restored this bike in the early 80’s. Here it is freshly restored at the Harmony meet in 1985…

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After riding it as a solo machine for a while he hung on an original paint Sweetheart sidecar which would be correct for the 101.

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Jules used to bring this bike to meets around the Northeast through the 80s and 90s. He liked to bring it to Make a Wish events and give kids rides in the sidecar

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Eventually though as years rolled on he had other projects he wanted to complete and the bike became less used.

[FLFD7]

Unfortunately even though the bike was garage kept Jules’ property was prone to flooding, and even though I was able to convince him to let me get the bike to higher ground on most occasions sometimes he would stubbornly leave it alone and it would get submerged. Eventually, when Jules was 89 years old he looked at me one night and asked if I wanted to buy his favorite bike, I couldn’t refuse. Here is a little comparison of how the bike used to look and how it looked when I bought it.

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I got it home and gave her a bath and she looked a little better

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[pisten-bully]

Go Joe! Probably not a full restoration because it looks like Jules "got 'er done" in 1985? Reach out if you're finding parts hard to source post Kent Thompson (super person, super source)!

Just saw your most recent posting, sidecar took a hit from the flooding?

[FLFD7]

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The sidecar will have to wait, first I want to get the solo bike running and riding. So I pulled the engine, but first drained about a half gallon of water and oil from the engine and primary

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Then had to see what damage to the motor

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Yep, lot of rust, as expected.

[FLFD7]

Piston,
Sidecar actually in good shape, just unfortunately a lot of surface rust, the original paint is shot.

[FLFD7]

So this is not going to be a full restoration. Running and riding and looking as good as I can make it. Those pictures are actually like 8 years old, I’ve done a couple Sport Scouts since then but I want to do this 101 next. Here is how it sits now in my basement

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In the foreground of the picture is a spare 101 engine Jules built in the early 90s. That engine will be going in the bike until I can do a complete rebuild on the original engine. Hope to be on the road this summer or fall (I’m trying to be realistic)

[pisten-bully]

...looks like it's still sporting clinchers?

[1939wl]

That is a beautiful example Joe,
I have a special place in my heart for the 28, 101 Scout.
Glad you have it, you'll keep the legacy going that Jules started.
Thanks for posting.

[FLFD7]

Harry,
Yeah, it’s a 28 so still has the clinchers. They’ll have to do for now, I think I might find some drop center 101 rims in my father’s stash at some point in time.

[JoJo357]

Good luck with the 101 Joe.

*M.A.D.*

[gharper]

Excellent Joe!! Looking forward to your updates. Too bad about the water, that's a shame and probably did a lot of damage.

[FLFD7]

Got the engine off the floor and up on the bench, it does have a neat swiveling stand that Jules must have built.

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Head bolts were on finger tight, and engine turns over. Put some oil in the cylinders, which look real nice. I see some bluing around the valves, so Jules must have lapped them in.

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So far looking pretty good.

[pisten-bully]

Nice to see that motor Joe! The cylinder plating looks really good, the whole motor looks really good so it must've been kept high and dry! It would be interesting to pull the cylinders if only just to see what Jules did for wrist pin clips and number of rings...not that I'd doubt he did a great job!

[Skirted]

Go Joe! Probably not a full restoration because it looks like Jules "got 'er done" in 1985? Reach out if you're finding parts hard to source post Kent Thompson (super person, super source)!

Just saw your most recent posting, sidecar took a hit from the flooding?

Hi Harry, Perhaps you missed it but sadly, Kent Thompson passed away in 2023.

Joe, what an awesome acquisition to become caretaker of the 101. Cool story, photos, and project. Bike looks really good considering.

[FLFD7]

I was undecided about pulling the cylinders but then noticed something….

The front cylinder piston is marked .020 over, and at TDC lands around .010 under the cylinder edge…

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While the rear cylinder piston is not marked, has a little counter sink in the center, and at TDC lands about .050 below the cylinder edge.

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Hmmm…did Jules use 2 different pistons? Would it even matter if he did? Well, I’m curious, so let’s find out…