Fitting rear wheel, swing arm, rear shock absorbers, then front uprights, suspension, wheels, engine/gearbox and exhaust headers.   www.aerocyclecars.com

As an introduction though, why not go to the Blog overview first.

This shot shows the rear wheel, swing arm, rear brake plate, and rear shock absorbers fitted in as a unit. Firstly, the swing arm (and this is an early short swing arm) is fitted up. This is a fairly straightforward exercise, but take a look at the small swing arm pins that locate into the swing arm. These are very fine threads, 20mm x 1mm, so insert them very carefully using copper slip or equivalent. A word of warning here. If you are using a later California bike, the swing arm pins are larger but the bearing surfaces on both types are identical. On early donor bikes, just use the swing pins as you find them, however if using a later donor bike with the larger swing arm pins, you cannot use these and will need to purchase the earlier type. The part number for these earlier T3 type swing arm pins is 14547001. Notice the new 18 inch spoked Akront wheel complete with Avon tyre. At this stage neither the standard rear brake not the parking brake have been fitted. 

Shown here is the alloy front upright assembly attached via ball joints to upper and lower wishbones, plus the shock absorbers and springs fitted. In a later post, I will disassemble an upright assembly and go through it in detail. When you purchase a front suspension kit, the upright assemblies are fully and loosely assembled, however it is essential that you fully follow my printed instructions and reassemble. I build them up initially to check and to add shims where necessary. The bolt up procedure is very simple.

Here is a view across the front end and what is immediately apparent is the castor angle, where the upper wishbone is offset from the centre line to the rear, and in this case, the castor angle is 6.5 degrees from the vertical.

Left hand front wheel and octagonal spinner fitted. These are the chromed special wheels, the standard ones are simply powder coated silver. If you wish for the chromed wheels, they simply cost a little more, so let me know in good time! In another blog post I will show the 2 different types side by side. Black ones are also available, and in fact, they can be painted any colour at additional cost. These wheels are MG TA type, designed in the mid 1930s for the MG TA (a real classic!) and are truly vintage. Morgan themselves use just the very same wheel.

The right hand wheel. These chrome wheels really do show the vehicle off to a high standard.

The engine and gearbox has been fitted. Just two 12mm bolts hold it in. You will require an extra person to assist you, but we always simply pick the engine up by bolting a pair of brackets into the four 10mm holes above the gearbox, inserting a 240mm long M12 bolt, enabling a hand hold each side, then one's other hand placed around the barrel, then a lift. I always place a blanket over the steering rack if prior fitted, or just over the mounts if not fitted. It is also useful to slide a trolley jack under the engine to steady it and rock it back or forth whilst inserting the 160mm M12 rear bolt, and the 240mm M12 front bolt.

The exhaust header pipes are shown fitted together with the special stainless steel flanges and dome head/acorn nuts, spring washers and normal stainless steel washers. I recommend using new exhaust gaskets and not the ones from your donor bike. My reason for fitting the headers at this stage, is so that I can trial fit the side pipes and clamps into the side clamp brackets that are welded to the chassis, and all prior to the final fitment of the main side panels. The main side panels need to come off again shortly to facilitate fitment of other items, so best to go through this whole procedure whilst the main side panels are still temporarily fitted. In another blog post, all will become apparent as I fit the side pipes. Notice also the front "badge" bar which is also a main front end tie bar. You'll notice that the steering rack and column are yet to be fitted.

Suddenly, this stage depicts excitement as the build is much nearer fruition. The mechanical build up is always quick, but wiring and fitment of all of the other things now take a little time. It is all very rewarding, so take your time.