Cool old crankshaft

**jellywrestler** · 11th July 2013, 21:45

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** · 11th July 2013, 21:48

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

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

**pete376403** · 11th July 2013, 22:43

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

**Karitane pete** · 11th July 2013, 22:43

Hope he was working to a quote

**ducatilover** · 11th July 2013, 23:12

Originally Posted by pete376403

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** · 12th July 2013, 04:00

Originally Posted by Karitane pete

Hope he was working to a quote

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

**Grumph** · 12th July 2013, 06:00

Very nice.

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

**Karitane pete** · 12th July 2013, 16:50

Originally Posted by pete376403

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** · 12th July 2013, 17:36

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

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** · 12th July 2013, 17:50

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

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

**Crasherfromwayback** · 12th July 2013, 17:55

Originally Posted by Drew

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

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** · 12th July 2013, 17:59

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

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** · 12th July 2013, 18:50

Originally Posted by pete376403

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** · 15th July 2013, 22:38

Originally Posted by pete376403

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

Originally Posted by ducatilover

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** · 17th July 2013, 20:52

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

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.