Anyone recognise this engine?

**jellywrestler** · 30th August 2016, 23:21

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** · 30th August 2016, 23:59

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** · 31st August 2016, 03:40

Originally Posted by 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?

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

**gsxr** · 31st August 2016, 03:49

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

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

**Grumph** · 31st August 2016, 06:25

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

**jellywrestler** · 31st August 2016, 08:13

Originally Posted by Grumph

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** · 31st August 2016, 09:07

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** · 31st August 2016, 09:51

Originally Posted by 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.....

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** · 31st August 2016, 09:51

Originally Posted by 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** · 31st August 2016, 10:07

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

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

How did he find out at that time?

**Grumph** · 31st August 2016, 13:01

Originally Posted by swarfie

How did he find out at that time?

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** · 31st August 2016, 14:44

Originally Posted by Grumph

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** · 31st August 2016, 17:38

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

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 ?