Heinkel Tourist 103A-2
Pictured is an A2 project I acquired in September 2025.
Are you interested in owning this Tourist? Please e-mail me. It will be for sale once complete.
A functional restoration, or a full blown custom - the choice is yours!
March 2026
Wrapping up the bottom end rebuild. So much cleaning and polishing of internal surfaces.
Thus far, I've replaced:
- Chains, swingarm sprockets
- Bearings, gaskets and seals
- Gear shift shaft
- Clutch cork plates
In the clutch photo, you can see nuts and excessive use of flat washers where the clutch cover would be installed. I do this to bring the cases together. When installing the clutch cover, they will be removed (naturally!).
I did not replace the carbon brushes. They are slightly longer than 15mm in length - nearly new. The coil assembly and the brush housings were cleaned. The whole unit was fully tested (continuity and resistance).
A small amount of regret. The metal core pieces on the outer edge of coils were corroded and needed attention. I removed each and cleaned them up with a wire wheel. My regret? Not taking before and after photos.
A word about this collection of photos. In some, the hardware are not clearly tightened down. These photos were taken at stopping points in the evening and have since been secured!
I plan to install motor into frame in the next ~2 weeks. We shall see!
For future builds, I think I need a better photo station. The cardboard backdrop, along with the filthy towel and workbench is more than embarassing.
Retirement is approaching and if I am to lean into this hobby, I should make it more presentable.
It always amazes me how time creates filth. This machine didn't see much use, however the cases would say otherwise.
A few items to note:
- Clutch cover needs to be replaced - broken cable mount
- Gear arm shaft needs to be replace - teeth that mesh with gear lever are worn away
- Gear spindles must be polished - this is a regular operation
Polishing up all "sliding" surfaces, like the gear spindles and the shafts that support the moving gears is a must.
I'd say the majority of the Tourist engines I've opened up have some form of corrosion. The side effect is that the components don't move freely and that causes binding in the gears.
Long time readers of this site know that this was a problem I had with my first Tourist, my 103A-1.
Check out my detailed write up of Spindle Polishing that saved me from ending my relationship with Heinkels.
Now that all surfaces have been polished, the components move effortlessly once installed.
The pictures show before and after of applying Hylomar to the mating surfaces.
Tourist engines do not have a gasket. Instead, they rely upon some form of gasket sealant. I have a tub of Hylomar that I keep for the job.
Pros: it seals very well. Cons: it is blue. And you must spend time cleanup up the excess otherwise it looks silly.
I am sure there are alternatives to Hylomar - something that is gray. But I'm too lazy to look. Plus, the fear of it failing keeps me from changing my routine.
February 2026
It has been a while (maybe 10 years?) since I've posted internals pictures. So I will capture several higher resolution pictures showing engine progress.
Teardown commences - motor is out and disassembled. Sometime between January and February, I cleaned cases and internal components.
Crankshaft is stamped as December 1960. Given the date, I have a hard time believing the titled year would be earlier than 1961.
September 2025
My immediate goal is to make it a runner again.
I plan to start disassembly in early 2026 and would like to think it will be ready to ride by May. We shall see.
This A2 has spent it's entire life in or around Sacramento, California. It was last registered in 1970 - I still have the original black license plate and documentation to accompany it.
The previous owner painted it in a Captain America theme in the 1970s. You can see the faded striped tail section. The legshield has traces of blue, not sure how the nose was decorated. Somehow during its past, the nose was lost. I have a replacement, but I am looking for another. The one I have is not so nice.
The original color scheme included red panels, black legshield. I have no idea what I might do with the bodywork.