Nice "Jap" Engine Special

This is a nice special  taken from the "bobby racer" blog http://bobbyracer.blogspot.com/2010/03/moooolto-artigianale.html/

Honda 250cc 6cyl

If this picture captures your attention go to.Return of the Cafe Racers Blog, Sweet Sounding Six. .  They have just posted a brilliant article and videos on the RC166

BMW R80 Cafe Racer

Think I may have lost this.
"Girl on a Cafe Racer" has snatched it away! She'l be back when it needs fixing or petrol.  :)

Hey bring my bike back!

Daimler Sleeve Valve No 3

PLEASE NOTE PHOTOS HERE:https://historicengineco.blogspot.com/search/label/daimler

A new project has just arrived. 1927 Daimler Sleeve Valve.

The owner has asked that we check the piston and sleeve condition and if ok, reassemble and run.

Riding September

Nice little feel good film, I just like to have this playing away over and over as I work, makes me feel good.
Who needs big budget bikes to have fun! Nice easy soundtrack too. See what you think.  Click the following.
Riding September

Austin truck Roofchop?

See what you think, scroll to the bottom of the new-works-truck post.

Fun In Wales

A weekend on dirt bikes..........heaven!

Thanks to my nephew's wife organising a great time and for lending me her KTM!
This was by first time on a dirt bike properly off road, in nearly 10 years, Oh yes I am the one in the 80's kit!
And just like "riding a bike" it came right back to me, until I came to wheezing halts at seemingly 5 minute intervals!!
Must get fitter!

"Surfs Up" In the Clouds

Taken in December by the Shadow Flight Centre Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire.

Very rare Kelvin-Helmholtz? cloud form.

I rode toward and under this a little later in the evening on my way southward to home......Very spooky!

Shovelhead Prep

Been waiting too long, first steps of getting her back on the road:

New cables and carburettor strip and clean.

Midget Racecars

I really like these cars and often daydream that someone will come into my workshop and ask me to build one.

I can't think where I collected these from, I apologise for not making correct acknowledgements and credits.

I do remember mention of the period logos being hand painted.. very skilfully.

The following video is from a vintage speedway site, plug the speakers in for this!

http://www.vintagespeedway.com/AVIDSPEEDMASTER256K_Stream001.wmv

Nimbus Sidecar Adventure

Just browsing through my bloglist and picked up the following from Belifante Indian Moto

The Dumb Way Round an epic journey by Nimbus outfits! http://www.kccd.no/blog_en.html

Evolution? "Fight or Flight"

Has anyone experienced the effect of a big adrenalin hit when you have a near miss or similar danger?

I always suffer with really sore legs as the adrenalin spasms the muscles with a supercharge dose. I guess that's preparation to run away:  " Flight!".

Well on Friday, on my way to a customer on my bike,  I was cresting a little rise on the B4000 road between Newbury and Swindon, only to be confronted by a large truck on my side, he moved out of my way but not before.......Bang!, an adrenalin hit followed by the familiar discomfort, but this time it was in my right  (throttle / brake) hand!


Is this "EVOLUTION"? Are we transforming and evolving into a motorcycling species? ~:)

New Works Truck

Just collected my new works truck today, need a bit o' finishing tho'.

She is a 1934 Austin 12, converted during the wartime to a "pick up" by welding two 12 chassis together. 

Not altogether a new project as I have been sympathetically rebuilding this from time to time over the last 15 years. I finally saved enough money to persuade the owner to sell her to me. Can just imagine the  Historic Engine Co. logo on the door.

Cyclecar Parking

Where do you park a cyclecar........In a cycle shed of course!

BEBE

Albion Mascot

Took this photo last week, it's on an early 20's Albion Truck.

Morris 8 Engine.

A few months ago I posted about a little '38 Morris 8 that required some axle flange recovery work.
We also took the engine out and stripped it to assess serious water in oil contamination.
The block was seriously cracked behind two liners and toward the tappet chest. Normally I avoid "hot" repairs because of the problems it can cause, even when carefully brought up to temperature and careful reduction of temperature in a controlled manner. However,we had little choice but to have this fairly major welding work.
This has been very professionally completed in Derbyshire, and the block presented back in spotless condition ready for cleaning and painting.

Unfortunately, test fitting of the crank and cam has revealed that there is a slight misalignment from distortion.
I am not overly worried at this stage as I think we can lightly line hone to recover. I do have to check the individual bearing bores to see if it is local.
This sort of thing would not have been such a problem on a white metal bearing engine, as new bearings would be line bored. This engine has modern style thinwall bearing shells so we have to work within the running clearance limitations.

Frazer Nash "Chain Gang" Transmission.

I thought I would share the following pre war type, chain gang transmission.
This one is on a 160+hp 2000cc Bristol 6 Cyl  FN Special and is competitive with some ERAs.
As you can see, no diff, just loves to drift!
Lot of maintenance but pretty reliable even in fierce competition events.
The Main sprockets are fitted to the solid axle on a keyway.
Ratios are selected when the selection "Monkey Plate" shifts dogs into mesh as required.
The propshaft runs into a bevel box which drives the dog shaft. Prop rotates at engine speed!