1938 L.L.4 350cc

This 1938 350cc model L.L.4 now lives in the North East of England and is owned by me, Jeff. I inherited it from my grandfather, Mr Richard `Dickie` Goddard, in the 1980`s. Dickie set up a cycle business in High Wycombe in the early 1930`s. It quickly expanded to include British motorbikes and the business, known as Desborough Cycle Works, continued until 2005 as a family concern. Dickie was a real character and was known throughout the trade. He also had an eye for a rare bike and his ever changing collection was a wonder to me as a child.
For many years this bike lay quietly rusting away in my Mum`s shed. It was only in 2001 that my next door neighbour Alan, persuaded me to bring it up north and the restoration finally started. Alan was fanatical about bikes, old bikes in particular, as these are what he rode in his youth. He took them apart and put them back together like it was second nature, and without him this particular Stevens saga would never have happened.

As can be seen from the photo, it was in a pretty rough condition and the decision was made to attempt a full restoration as it had not been touched since it was purchased from a gentleman in Surrey in 1967. It came with the 1967 purchase invoice (for £25.00), the old buff handbook and even two original 1939 tax discs.
At first work progressed normally, but there was a growing realization that parts and information were harder to source than expected. It was only after the first couple of years that it dawned on us that the Stevens marque was a bit of a rarity, which was nice that we were working on something special, but made `getting things right` a bit of a problem. We were helped by the fact that the bike, although looking tatty, was in fairly original condition.

Like all projects they are never really finished and there are still a couple of jobs to do. The rear chain guard was missing and a temporary replacement was made. The original dynamo still has to be repaired and fitted and various small tweaks are still to be made, but apart from these it is almost `done`. At least it runs, and it is great fun to ride.
One of the missing parts when it got up to the North East, bundled in the back of my Volvo estate, was the outer half of the chain case cover. The only bike known to us then was the 250cc D.S.1 in the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. After a couple of trips down there to make all the neccessary drawings, and after a year and a half waiting, a replacement was finally made. The shock of the cost was only overcome when it was fitted and looked a treat. 
My brother, who had inherited a Sunbeam, then decided to put his bike back together after 30 years in boxes. Imagine my dismay when the original chain case cover turned up in one of those boxes! I didnt know whether to be elated or gutted, although I was pretty pleased when it was put back in it`s rightful place.

Alan at Egton Show 2006 He is no longer with us and is greatly missed. I wish I had spent more time with my mouth shut and my ears open. I might be wiser than I am.

The L.L.4 and H.L.3 models were introduced for the 1935 season and the `Motor Cycle` magazine conducted a road test of the L.L.4 for their January 1935 issue. It was described as an "excellent little machine" with "simple, clean cut lines". The handling "imparted a feeling of the reatest confidence", with cornering "the same as that of a T.T. thoroughbred", all in all "an extremely well-built and well-finished motor cycle".
These plaudits are hardly surprising though, the Stevens Brothers had been making motorcycles for 30 years !

The details are .... Engine number A61037. Frame number A61037. First licensed 1st April 1938 for Messrs Godfreys Ltd, 208 / 210 Gt Portland St, London. It was then sold to a H. Ellis of New Malden, Surrey on the 23rd April 1938.