Search found 638 matches
- Tue Jan 23, 2018 1:29 pm
- Forum: Project bikes
- Topic: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
- Replies: 87
- Views: 30086
Re: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
Interesting article on the blown B25 - theres one running in the UK - very very loud (+120 dB !!!!) and quick - sometimes ! I was going to blow my Norton with an AMR500 (a supercharged 350/500 run sin the 350/500 hill-climb and sprint classes, here in the UK), but backed off when i realized thats th...
- Sat Dec 02, 2017 9:01 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Repolarisation of Magneto/ Stator- Rotor?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 9102
Re: Repolarisation of Magneto/ Stator- Rotor?
Stew & Minty -
My comments about De-magnetising a rotor are from a LUCAS publication, not something i thought up myself - specifically regarding the LUCAS Alternator fitted to the typical Britbike.
If i can be arsed, i'll work out how to publish the work-sheet for you all to peruse.
My comments about De-magnetising a rotor are from a LUCAS publication, not something i thought up myself - specifically regarding the LUCAS Alternator fitted to the typical Britbike.
If i can be arsed, i'll work out how to publish the work-sheet for you all to peruse.
- Sun Nov 26, 2017 6:49 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Repolarisation of Magneto/ Stator- Rotor?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 9102
Re: Repolarisation of Magneto/ Stator- Rotor?
Maybe unrelated but, while looking through some official LUCAS data, for something else i came across an interesting comment; "If the stator is energized (faulty rectifier, etc.) and the rotor is turned, it can DEMAGNETISE the rotor" Now, I'm not certain how a standard wiring system can cause a stat...
- Thu Nov 23, 2017 5:58 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Startup- LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE?!?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 3143
Re: Startup- LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE?!?
if it was water-cooled - a blown head gasket.
Could be water/condensation or something ?
Has it stopped smoking, or does it keep doing it, or do you give up before you are suffocated ?
Could be water/condensation or something ?
Has it stopped smoking, or does it keep doing it, or do you give up before you are suffocated ?

- Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:18 pm
- Forum: Project bikes
- Topic: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
- Replies: 87
- Views: 30086
Re: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
On my own flow-bench, the flow velocity on the floor of the port was very low, using various blobs on wire, i think its indicating that the cylinder wall is seriously compromising flow around the valve head. My bored out (75mm bore) cylinder more or less confirmed this, with much better velocity/flo...
- Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:02 pm
- Forum: Project bikes
- Topic: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
- Replies: 87
- Views: 30086
Re: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
till cannot post bloody pix! C15 is pulling 8500 rpm using MX cam - supposed to be limit for the roller bearing/long rod crank, but so far .................. Oh yes, its got a KH250 clutch fitted to a machined C15 chain-wheel, simple lever type Clutch push-rod activation (common UK grass-track mod) ...
- Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:01 pm
- Forum: Project bikes
- Topic: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
- Replies: 87
- Views: 30086
Re: B25/TR25 Land Speed Project
106 mph through the IOM speed trap on a C15 this spring. I say C15 - it has a B25 top end on it, and i say IOM, it was actually the Southern 100 course which doesn't have the big long straights and hills. Was lieing 7th behind a few Aeromacchi/Ducati's before an oil leak stopped him - 65 years old, ...
- Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:26 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
Push bikes, particularly Tandems have had drums for years - they often were used for drag bikes in the 60/70's (along with Raleigh-Wisp wheels/brakes and D3 forks ..... at +150 mph?) Its the beautiful little discs they fit now, which are SOOO nice - perfect for the back - and the master cylinders - ...
- Sun Oct 29, 2017 6:05 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
As ever i beg to differ; The vast majority of aircraft engines historically, were for commercial flight - I.C. commercial engines requirements are, and always been basically power/weight/fuel consumption/serviceability. As for " Try working out primary rocking couples with a slide rule let alone sec...
- Fri Oct 27, 2017 4:21 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
Canberra - you mentioned 'backing down a trailer ramp' ............... :grin: Many 'readers' dont realise that a twin leading shoe front brake has sod all braking in reverse!! Not really relevant on a bike until an MOT in the 1980's ....... Around this period (and it may still apply) an MOT station ...
- Fri Oct 27, 2017 4:12 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
Thank you M&M, i do try :grin: As for disc'ed 21" front end ????? They are absolutely wonderful, little finger braking on the KDX200 - lovely. It always surprises people how hard you can brake on grass/mud - could lift the conversation by going on about weight transfer, turn in, etc. but wont :shock...
- Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:49 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
Its always interesting to place designs (and idea's) in context of time/attitudes/technology/etc. The classic is the 'long stroke' design philosophy of British engineers - initially, IC engines were based on steam engine design - because of the low rate of expansion of super-heated steam, a long str...
- Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:39 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
The problem with virtually all Brit-bike brakes over a very long period is one of 'mechanical advantage' to use the formal term - levers, basically. They all suffer from over large operating cams and too short lever (at the back-plate) giving a low increase in operating force at the brake-shoe, comp...
- Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:32 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
Scott You are correct, the arm length has nothing to do the with the 'servo' effect. Lengthening the arms is used extensively for road and race in the UK, and was used by the Meriden production racer team when they (successfully) campaigned the T140 in endurance racing (???) After you fit better lin...
- Sat Oct 21, 2017 6:02 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 9851
Re: 8" Conical front brake with 21" rim: Any thoughts?
lengthen the cam levers by ~2" and it will actually work then 

- Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:25 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: It Lives !!!!!!
- Replies: 11
- Views: 3399
Re: It Lives !!!!!!
I've started to place magnets into a plastic bag and the place the whole lot in the oil tank (away from the suction) - so i can remove after running. Always frightening what sticks on the outside, i dont use a proper full flow filter and it seems as good a method as any. But as i say - frightening!!!!
- Fri Oct 13, 2017 1:45 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: B25 won't start
- Replies: 17
- Views: 4856
Re: B25 won't start
if in doubt measure piston distance down from TDC - before TDC of course 11/32" (8.5mm ish) according to Rupert. Use an electrical screwdriver or if you use a bit of wire - make sure you put a bent in it to stop it dropping in :shock: Feel for TDC on compression mark your measuring 'stick' the turn ...
- Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:28 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: It Lives !!!!!!
- Replies: 11
- Views: 3399
Re: It Lives !!!!!!
she is too retarded on ignition if it blues at not much over tick-over. Retard it enough and you get it glowing red, back in the day as a callow yoof, a mate used to light his fag by retarding his tiger cub 9distributor model) at tick-over until the exhaust glowed. Yes the blueing is permanent. :lol:
- Wed Oct 11, 2017 1:03 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: B50 MX sudden death!
- Replies: 41
- Views: 11824
Re: B50 MX sudden death!
As you will read, the B50 needs to be 'just right' to be a reliable starter - new carb, the knack, etc. The running hot may be the give away - some rebore artists do not give enough clearance for old stock or cheap repro pistons - thinking they are reboring a water-cooled car engine or something. So...
- Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:16 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: B25 won't start
- Replies: 17
- Views: 4856
Re: B25 won't start
always an idea to go back to the beginning, new plug, etc. For what its worth the Wassel turns off after a few seconds on none-use, so its unlikely you have fried the coil. The yellow, then blue spark is worrying - not much to go wrong really with a charged battery - have you checked earths and loos...
- Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:51 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Pazon Digital Ignition
- Replies: 15
- Views: 5250
Re: Pazon Digital Ignition
Warm coil with a Wassel - check the resistance of your coil - cannot remember what it should be, but its in the instructions. I'm firing a twin output coil with mine, i had to use what is rated as a 6V coil to get the correct ohmage - bear in mind that there's no such thing as a 6/12/24V coil - its ...
- Thu Oct 05, 2017 4:49 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Pazon Digital Ignition
- Replies: 15
- Views: 5250
Re: Pazon Digital Ignition
The Wassel/VAPe ignition also switch's off after a short period of time - no idea how many pulses are required to retrigger, as I've never noticed any problems at all when starting my B25 which is fitted with the system. Very handy when running constant loss as my illuminated switch (so i know i've ...
- Mon Sep 18, 2017 9:42 am
- Forum: News
- Topic: B50's now MOT exempt
- Replies: 14
- Views: 5904
Re: B50's now MOT exempt
Confirming Andy's statement - 'Official' report on the subject is available on; https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/roadworthiness-testing-for-vehicles-of-historic-interest If you have any questions or feedback about it please contact <roadworthinesstesting@dft.gsi.gov.uk.> If you can be bot...
- Sat Sep 09, 2017 10:28 am
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: have survived....
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4785
Re: have survived....
BEAT - sounds as if you had a good drive around and found some nice places. The difference between summer and winter is the reason why wifey could not cope with Cornwall - traffic on roads and beaches in summer - driving rain, mist/fog and a generally depressing place in winter. Its an area of real ...
- Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:12 am
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: have survived....
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4785
Re: have survived....
My first trip to Cornwall on my own - on a BSA C11G - my tent was a ground sheet, tied to the bike as a Bivi.
We were trying to do Lands End to John o Groats .................... And yes it did rain ..............
We were trying to do Lands End to John o Groats .................... And yes it did rain ..............
- Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:09 am
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: have survived....
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4785
Re: have survived....
Did you go and have a look @ Eden project ... i literally remember it when it was a hole in the ground :grin: Always good for a warm up (in the tropical zone). I married a Cornish lass, until recently had a house in St Austell, had a boat in the river Fowey for years and did a great deal of business...
- Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:31 pm
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: Crankshaft experiment
- Replies: 174
- Views: 54588
Re: Crankshaft experiment
Yep, will do. Am waiting on the blower arriving, already I've realized it may be too big for a 350 :???: Hmmmm suck through carbs and explosions in manifolds seem to be a common problem on highly tuned drag bikes - hence all the rubber hosing and worm-drive clips i suspect !!! Also a reason many use...
- Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:24 pm
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: have survived....
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4785
Re: have survived....
You picked the right pub in Looe ......
I worked summer holidays in the Double-Decker bar on the sea front, sex drugs and sticky carpets ...........
How come LOOE ????

I worked summer holidays in the Double-Decker bar on the sea front, sex drugs and sticky carpets ...........
How come LOOE ????
- Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:49 am
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: Crankshaft experiment
- Replies: 174
- Views: 54588
Re: Crankshaft experiment
Jack - that what i'm planning - under driving it - hence my request for info really...... I presume, a lobed compressor will have some leakage at lower RPM - hit a 'sweet' operating spot somewhere around mid rpm, then go inefficient again at higher rpm. Talking to an old boy racing a ALLARD (lobed b...
- Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:39 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Engine mounts?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 4174
Re: Engine mounts?
international jet-setter Mark.
No wonder you cannot get anything out of him ............... hows the Norton Crank-pin going Mark
No wonder you cannot get anything out of him ............... hows the Norton Crank-pin going Mark

- Thu Aug 31, 2017 11:05 am
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: Crankshaft experiment
- Replies: 174
- Views: 54588
Re: Crankshaft experiment
You may guess i'm trying supercharging for the first time - something to try before i die. Spurred on by a supercharged B25 i was watching the last weekend - boy was it LOUD (+128 dB) - suggesting either the cam overlap or general timing is very wrong as it was way louder than HOBBIT (twin 750 comma...
- Thu Aug 31, 2017 10:56 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Engine mounts?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 4174
Re: Engine mounts?
No Mark is not in the IOM this week.... Could be Italy if i remember correctly. Top-hats are an option as, no the frame mounts dont clamp very well onto the engine. Alternative option is some filing and washer/shims to take up the side clearance between frame and engine - you will find, neither are ...
- Wed Aug 30, 2017 11:59 am
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: Crankshaft experiment
- Replies: 174
- Views: 54588
Re: Crankshaft experiment
So the explosion was in the cylinder and not in the Blower/Inlet ... I would imagine that unlike centrifugal blowers, the peak pressures in the inlet system of a p/d supercharger can reach high values, even in normal running - hence the blow-off/safety-valve requirement. Without a positive method of...
- Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:29 pm
- Forum: Off topic
- Topic: Crankshaft experiment
- Replies: 174
- Views: 54588
Re: Crankshaft experiment
Fascinated by the valve seats coming loose - bad fit, or something to do with the cylinder pressures? Wots up with CO2 in the extinguisher - just as effective in a closed space - and just as lethal if you happen to be in the closed space :grin: Ask the Texan's if they believe in global warming ? At ...
- Sat Aug 12, 2017 9:20 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: B44 barrel on B40GB engine (kinda) - would this work?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1794
Re: B44 barrel on B40GB engine (kinda) - would this work?
No reason not to (other than expense) - you will simply have a long rodded engine. The B40 and B44 pistons also have different compression heights (wrist-pin to top edge of piston dimension) - that are a number of other pistons out there that may/will have a bigger comp-height. Cutting the barrel do...
Re: plug ??
I always use the extended nose versions if i can - seems to give better starting and low speed running.
Watch out on B25's though - you can have the piston hitting the electrode, with certain plug/piston/head-gasket set-ups
Watch out on B25's though - you can have the piston hitting the electrode, with certain plug/piston/head-gasket set-ups
- Fri Aug 11, 2017 9:30 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Pushrod length?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 9075
Re: Pushrod length?
My sympathies ......... An ENDURO acquaintance asked me to rebuild his newly purchased T150 engine - a 'bargain' from America - the pistons were so seized into the bores, he had already broken bits off the cylinder before he asked me. I then pointed out the cracks in the sump ........ thrown rod typ...
- Thu Aug 10, 2017 7:51 pm
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Pushrod length?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 9075
Re: Pushrod length?
You do need patience and persistence with brit bikes.
Character building - i think thats what they call it
Character building - i think thats what they call it
- Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:17 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Pushrod length?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 9075
Re: Pushrod length?
MIKE - the unit BSA's are frustrating little buggers, but because they are basically an oversize 250, have very good power/weight/size ratio. I've raced triumphs and will do again, i'm currently building a Norton single for hill-climb/sprinting and had forgotten just how big and heavy these pre-unit...
- Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:10 am
- Forum: Tech
- Topic: Pushrod length?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 9075
Re: Pushrod length?
Listen to what KK is saying - its a clearer version of what i was 'sort of saying'. You do need to tighten up the cam float, so the followers run betwixt cam-wheel and crank-case, without twisting. Then check the cam timing.... As for how did they ever run ...... The problem is not really the design...