The Acquisition

So this is the newest acquisition. Strangely its the fourth Quickly I've owned but I'm expecting it to be the first one I've really got to grips with mechanically. I found it for £275 at Kempton park bike jumble. Clearly it has problems, all cables are snapped snagged or missing, the gearbox seems to engage at random and although the motor turns it wont start- the carburettor appearing to be jammed. Add to this the missing rubber parts plus two flat and horribly worn tyres, and there is clearly a lot of stuff to get to grip with! For the moment here is the bike: When I got it it had no reg number (which I'm hoping isn't ominous) but most of the bike is there even if in poor condition. The rear light fitting still bears the original supplier's decal so I'm think stabilise and conserve rather than restore.

No reg number, but original decal on rear light fitting

Closer examination shows bike supplied by Granby Cycles of Blackfen. Owned at the the time by Ron H Argent.

The bike was obviously a 2 speed model, and a single seater. This suggests its a S23 model made between 61 and 65 and fairly common. From the NSU quickly spares site, model identification page the details of this model are chrome wheel rims, streamlined cowling with integrated speedo and oval headlamp. The toolbox has moved from the front to the space behind the saddle tube. In fact there were  still a few tools in there! This model also has the larger fuel tank holding 1.5 gallons and the tubular centre stand instead of the earlier wire type stand; a definite improvement. I was expecting a 3 speed transmission by this time, but apparently that was only used on the S2 23. Some 28435 S23 bikes were made so this one isn't particularly uncommon. 

2 speed gear change- not shown here though, there is damage to the grip end.

• 
  

Here are some overviews below- I'll add some more when I get it off the trailer.

LHS view

RHS side... Yes the front tyre is flat

Motor from rhs

Motor from lhs- jammed carburettor

Front wheel- tax disc holder also lacks identifying disc.

Obviously used to have a front Number plate- slightly worried as to why tall identification has been removed from this bike!! Front mudguard badge present but faded and maybe dented.

Rear wheel

The bike had the more modern streamlined nacelle containing the later speedo. Mileage 6345 relatively low if genuine. The nacelle has undergone its usual tatty degeneration. It gets this furry, almost velvety finish which only gets worse on sanding. It tends to be brittle too. It clearly needs some attention but as these are really rare I will try to renovate first. The light switch is original and the headlamp rim needs attention. I doubt the chrome will be salvageable. I'll probably paint this along with the bars.

Nacelle present and has original light switch- bonus! ... but does it work?

The frame plaque shows that this is a 23 inch wheel model; a Quickly 23, (known as an S23) with frame number 1022365 and built in 1963.

Frame plaque on steering head, cable damaged.

The motor has number  16596956.  Its hard to say if this is the original motor because exact frame-to-motor number correspondence isn't known but this number certainly corresponds to  motors manufactured in 1963. The air intake hose connecting to the in-frame filter is missing although the filter appears to be  present...

Motor number on lhs below (missing) air intake rubber elbow.

... as is the rubber cap sealing the other side of the filter element.

Air filter cap present

The fuel tank is of the larger size. Paint clearly worn through in places. One badge faded but present, the other is missing. Fuel tap is present and not siezed. Inside tank appears clean with no rust around the inside of filler cap.


Frame trim piece present, slight chips but not broken.

Toolbox lid surprisingly also there. The box contains a variety of tools, nearly all non NSU, but there are 2 (!) NSU original plug spanners. The remainder of the tools aren't even metric which makes me wonder how well this bike has been maintained!

Tool box opened- lid and fastener still present- contents mixed and mainly non-original.

There was some fibre packing inserted in the rear mudguard just above the frame join trim - I suspect to stop it rattling, so I'm looking at a small weld repair to the mudguard seam here. Hopefully it will be just a spot weld.

Packing in rear mudguard

Clearly a lot of work here, but I'm in no hurry and will take my time. I have other bikes to be getting on with so I'll try to acquire a few needed parts while I get around to starting the project. However, I can see the jammed carburettor as a self contained job and I will need to strip this to see what parts are needed so I'll start with that first.