February | 2023 | Vintage British CWS Federal 1922 Motorcycle

My childhood memory is of an old motorcycle that lived in a tired, leaking shed at the bottom of my Nana’s garden in Thornaby-on-Tees. The machine was finished in gloss black. He wore a heavy, grey army blanket. I used to visit him once in a while – spiders scuttled to their sentry posts. I knew nothing of his name or history. It’s a wonder the old chap survived such disagreeable conditions. My Nana [Dorothy Russell] owned the Federal jointly with my grandad’s friend Malcolm ‘Mac’ McArthur until my uncle Ian Instone bought each of the shares. There were worthy plans but sadly the Federal found himself in long-term storage

Spring 2014 – the C.W.S. Federal 269cc Lightweight (1922) was looking for a new home and I had the good fortune of being able to purchase and accommodate him, thereby keeping ‘Fed’ in the family. Restoration followed which completed in February 2015 thanks to Terry Ives and a talented team at Stotfold Engineering in Biggleswade. However, starting difficulties would see Fed doze until 2022.

2022 – with time pressures starting to abate the objective was to source a paddock starter (back in 1922 the kick start was an optional extra), recommission Fed in his centenary year, and back onto the road. Riding would also necessitate obtaining a DVLA full motorcycle licence and exploring the options for a regular ride.

After 6mths of hunting, a tidy paddock starter popped-up in Dorset which afforded reason for a pleasant 220 mile drive to collect it.

In Search of a Regular Ride

I thoroughly enjoyed the CBT experience an emerged wondering about a regular ride. This would be needed to maintain skill and confidence as Fed is necessarily for high days and holidays. First thoughts entertained a Yamaha XSR-125 – red or yellow – but it was laden with plastic and the heart favours an older fashioned feel. The BSA Bantam has curvaceous, uncluttered lines which would gleefully grace a VMCC meet. However, senior bikes require regular attention and they cannot hope to offer modern safety tech, inc. ABS.

Lessons at WWMM Motorcycle Training provided the opportunity to try 4 machines: a Kawasaki Z650 for lessons which was a capable pleasure to ride, complemented by solo practice on a Yamaha YBR125, Honda CB125F and the Kawasaki Z125.

All great experience but I was still drawn to the classic look ‘n feel. Helpfully, Royal Enfield has reinvented their 1950s icon by offering the single-stroke, thumping Classic 350 (2022) which has been selling like proverbial hot cakes and chimes well with the Royal Enfield V-Twin that my Grandad rode in the 1930’s. Initially, I toyed with a Halcyon Grey machine but visiting Watsonian Squire changed all that. The Classic 350 Chrome Bronze edition stole the biscuit and is a welcome addition. Registered in August 2022, we now have two ’22 plates in the stable. 1922 – 2022.

Mods ‘n Sods

Rory looks much better as solo- so Watsonian helpfully removed the pillion seat and fitted a chrome set of rider springs.

The gear shifter pedal required a tweak – up one spline – and I changed the headlamp bulb to a brighter Philips H4 Premium (+30%). Spanners out, a Royal Enfield sump guard and Airfly EVO engine guard were fitted for additional protection, and mudguards undersealed to deter the devilish tin worm. A touring seat completes the look and the embossed, leather tool roll contains a few running essentials. With mirror dampers, the extra 1″ is just the ticket for improving rear visibility (at least for a 5’6″ shorty like me). Fitting the DNA high performance filter doubles the air intake and adds a pleasing oomph! TEC Bike Parts offer well-engineered cosmetic parts – the polished clutch arm cover + swing arm machined alloy end caps sharpen the finish. A Royal Enfield Tripper Navigation unit should help Rory with getting from A to B.