Anyone recognise this engine?

[jellywrestler]

had this bike for about twenty years but don't know what the engine is, got motivated to take a piccie so one never knows who knows what, block chain drive and that dissappeared around 1903 so there's your rough era

[AllanB]

Don't know. Very Steampunk though.

It's a looker with the copper and brass - what is the black 'pipe' from what I assume is the carb to where I'd expect the spark-plug?

[jellywrestler]

Don't know. Very Steampunk though.

It's a looker with the copper and brass - what is the black 'pipe' from what I assume is the carb to where I'd expect the spark-plug?

inlet manifold, it's ioe, the plug is out while i turn it over, it's in the centre top of the cylinder

[gsxr]

inlet manifold, it's ioe, the plug is out while i turn it over, it's in the centre top of the cylinder

Inlet manifold for the water to make the steam :laugh:

[Grumph]

De Dion copy. Plenty of companies made them for just what it's on - cycle conversions.

[jellywrestler]

De Dion copy. Plenty of companies made them for just what it's on - cycle conversions.

so what's the timing specs, have had everything in the motor bar the piston and rings made new, the old stuff wouldn't divulge it's secret, being automatic inlet valve it may or may not be standard theory greg?

[Grumph]

Ignition timing ? Usual vintage/veteran thing, points just opening at TDC full retard. Then once it's running, play with the advance till it's quick enough to frighten you..
Valve timing of course is VVT to use the modern term, lol. Ex will probably open close to BDC. Inlet when it feels like it.

Pretty sure I've read that you could buy a set of castings for motors like that - and finish them yourself - or get the local blacksmith to do it for you.


Edit - A can of Start Ya Bastard will be your friend.....

[jellywrestler]

Ignition timing ? Usual vintage/veteran thing, points just opening at TDC full retard. Then once it's running, play with the advance till it's quick enough to frighten you..
Valve timing of course is VVT to use the modern term, lol. Ex will probably open close to BDC. Inlet when it feels like it.

Pretty sure I've read that you could buy a set of castings for motors like that - and finish them yourself - or get the local blacksmith to do it for you.


Edit - A can of Start Ya Bastard will be your friend.....

had it running 14 years ago but being about 160cc 1902 vintage and i was living at 4000 fett at the time wasn't sure how well it was running....

[jellywrestler]

had it running 14 years ago but being about 160cc 1902 vintage and i was living at 4000 fett at the time wasn't sure how well it was running....

ivan happer restored a bike with the same engine, he never knew what the bike was till the day he died.

[swarfie]

ivan happer restored a bike with the same engine, he never knew what the bike was till the day he died.

:psst:How did he find out at that time? :lol:

[Grumph]

:psst:How did he find out at that time? :lol:

Next time I'm over Dunsandel way, I'll ask his son Robin...

Ivan was the sort of guy who on arrival at the pearly gates would have immediately been approached "how the fuck do you get this running?'

[jellywrestler]

Next time I'm over Dunsandel way, I'll ask his son Robin...

Ivan was the sort of guy who on arrival at the pearly gates would have immediately been approached "how the fuck do you get this running?'

i still have Ivan's King Dick, yeah i know what that sounds like
next thing is timing, it's trembler coil ignition, so is it points open to spark or points close, from memory the coil produces many sparks and sends one out on closing.....

[Grumph]

i still have Ivan's King Dick, yeah i know what that sounds like
next thing is timing, it's trembler coil ignition, so is it points open to spark or points close, from memory the coil produces many sparks and sends one out on closing.....

Never actually dealt with one sorry. I'd have expected mag ignition.
Is there any form of advance/retard ?

[jellywrestler]

Never actually dealt with one sorry. I'd have expected mag ignition.
Is there any form of advance/retard ?

yip advance retard mech

[Grumph]

yip advance retard mech

I'd still set it TDC full retard - but ask a Model T owner if it's points breaking or closing.

[jellywrestler]

I'd still set it TDC full retard - but ask a Model T owner if it's points breaking or closing.

nah got that worked out, about to fire her up, the points close and feed battery into the trmebler, the trembler makes multiple sparks to the plug, points open and battery is taken away.
got it timed around tdc for retard and approx 30 degrees full advance, she's pretty crude.
went off to bycycle shops looking for parts, one guy laughed at me speiling all his bullshit that things have changed (skip tooth chain) so i asked how i was able to walk into repco and get the right plug, that's different....
anyway when the parts saw it he pulled a chain out straight away that was the right dimension

[Voltaire]

don't forget to upload the vid for us :banana:

[Grumph]

don't forget to upload the vid for us :banana:

If jellyroll is going to pedal or push it, I definitely want to see the vid....

[jellywrestler]

If jellyroll is going to pedal or push it, I definitely want to see the vid....

https://youtu.be/XtqOQkuTedU

bloody cracked fuel line with an old repair, so she goes back in the corner for a while....

[gsxr]

Well done . Its a runner. Another relic saved .

[F5 Dave]

Way cool. Next the wheelie video?