Cool old crankshaft

[jellywrestler]

I dropped this off to an engineer a couple of years ago and he rung this week to say she was ready to fit, time to get another of my bikes back on the road methinks, it's for a sidevalve 1920 Henderson Four

[AllanB]

It ...... looks ........so..........basic!!!!!!

2 years, old school - don't rush quality eh?

[pete376403]

3 main bearings! - must be a high perf motor (for the day). Austin 7s got by with only 2 (main bearings)

[Karitane pete]

Hope he was working to a quote:rolleyes:

[ducatilover]

3 main bearings! - must be a high perf motor (for the day). Austin 7s got by with only 2 (main bearings)

They were rather hot in their day. I know a fella in Eke who has restored a few. Very, very cool bikes.
I beleive Indian also made the same bike, a little later?

[jellywrestler]

Hope he was working to a quote:rolleyes:

no I don't work that way, rather get it done to a standard than a price.

[Grumph]

Very nice.

Poured bearings or converted to shells ? I'd assume the crankcase was done too ?

[Karitane pete]

3 main bearings! - must be a high perf motor (for the day). Austin 7s got by with only 2 (main bearings)
Austin sevens and the words High and Performance should not be used in the same sentence, Morris (MG) had over head cam production engines in the same years that Austin was side valve.

[Crasherfromwayback]

no I don't work that way, rather get it done to a standard than a price.

Tis the only way with stuff as special as you have mate! Do you know who the hotshot is for balancing two stroke cranks by chance? Same geezer?

[Drew]

Tis the only way with stuff as special as you have mate! Do you know who the hotshot is for balancing two stroke cranks by chance? Same geezer?

I was wondering why the process needed to be two stroke specific for a minute there. Duh, the rods don't come off. Idiot :facepalm:

[Crasherfromwayback]

I was wondering why the process needed to be two stroke specific for a minute there. Duh, the rods don't come off. Idiot :facepalm:

Nah getting them rebuilt is no worries...I could still fucking near do one myself motivation aside...it's the balancing of them I'm after. If you've ever ridden a 500cc two stroke you'll know they vibrate a fair old bit. Tires you out in no time. Ride one with a properly *balanced* crank, and they vibrate no more than a good 250. I'm wanting to get the crank for the SR sorted...as back in the day they were perfect as you could get one.

[Drew]

Nah getting them rebuilt is no worries...I could still fucking near do one myself motivation aside...it's the balancing of them I'm after. If you've ever ridden a 500cc two stroke you'll know they vibrate a fair old bit. Tires you out in no time. Ride one with a properly *balanced* crank, and they vibrate no more than a good 250. I'm wanting to get the crank for the SR sorted...as back in the day they were perfect as you could get one.Yeah, I meant the rod is attached for the balancing.

[Laava]

3 main bearings! - must be a high perf motor (for the day). Austin 7s got by with only 2 (main bearings)

Looks like cotter pins on the small ends too!

[jellywrestler]

3 main bearings! - must be a high perf motor (for the day). Austin 7s got by with only 2 (main bearings)
I've got a teens FN 4 motor that's 750cc and has a two bearing crank as well, their erlier 360 then 440cc motors are a work of art with a five bearing crank


They were rather hot in their day. I know a fella in Eke who has restored a few. Very, very cool bikes.
I beleive Indian also made the same bike, a little later?

the henderson brothers started henderson in 1912 they could build bikes but not good at the money side so were broke when Excelsior took them over and wanted a redesign to a stronger sidevalve motor. Both brothers still worked for excelsior but one took this as an insult left and designed the ACE four, he died test riding on ein 1922 and the ace remained in limited production till Indian brought them out to add a four to their range so in essence the first indian fours in late 26 early 27 were a direct evolution of the pre 1920 henderson fours and bore little in common with the 1920's hendersons Excelsior still called them hendersons yet they had in the logo the big X that they used on the excelsiors if that makes any sense

[F5 Dave]

Nah getting them rebuilt is no worries...I could still fucking near do one myself motivation aside...it's the balancing of them I'm after. If you've ever ridden a 500cc two stroke you'll know they vibrate a fair old bit. Tires you out in no time. Ride one with a properly *balanced* crank, and they vibrate no more than a good 250. I'm wanting to get the crank for the SR sorted...as back in the day they were perfect as you could get one.
For anything that specialised I'd see if Jimmy Steadman would do it.

[skippa1]

That's beautiful to look at and I bet it will be nice putting it together :yes:

[feral1]

Great to see it coming together for you. Dream bike. Gorgoues project. Well done in ensuring heritage gets out and about again and get used.
Nothing like a vintage four :)

Feral

[Crasherfromwayback]

For anything that specialised I'd see if Jimmy Steadman would do it.

Thanks for that Dave.

[Brian d marge]

Well done in ensuring heritage gets out and about again and get used.

Feral

Thats what I tell all the young ladies myself ,,,,

Love old Engineering , so glad we aint going back there ( though the principles aint changed !!!)

Stephen

ps ... Iwas working with a fella today ,,,who used ,,,,,,,,........... a slide rule

I lost mine years ago , wouldnt mind getting another ,,,,,,,

[Grumph]

Thats what I tell all the young ladies myself ,,,,

Love old Engineering , so glad we aint going back there ( though the principles aint changed !!!)

Stephen

ps ... Iwas working with a fella today ,,,who used ,,,,,,,,........... a slide rule

I lost mine years ago , wouldnt mind getting another ,,,,,,,

i use my 60's cheapie for rapping young bugger's knuckles...

The old man's pre war top of the line one will probably be buried with me to stop the wife from selling it.