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Messages - cardan

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 57
1
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: 1914 HUMBERETTE "Cyclecar" Valve Timing
« on: September 16, 2020, 02:54:41 AM »
Here's some JAP timing figures, from the 1920s.

The Collier brothers' Matchless that raced at Brooklands pre WW1 had 0 degrees overlap, with both exhaust closing and inlet opening at 20 degrees after TDC. http://earlymotor.com/leon/misc/html/timing.htm

Hope you've swapped out the original rods for a pair of Carillos! Enjoy "punishing" the Humberette, but don't expect everyone to be impressed.

I have a Smiths carb somewhere, or I did have, but I think it was a bit large for a Humberette.

Leon

2
Identify these bikes! / Re: 1920's Harley Davidson, what model is it?
« on: September 15, 2020, 09:23:44 AM »
Quote from: R on September 15, 2020, 06:02:00 AM
My knowledge of brown motorcycles would fit on the back
of a postage stamp, with room to spare.

It's ok: my knowledge of brown motorcycles goes New Hudson, James, NUT, mmm....

Leon

3
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: 1914 HUMBERETTE "Cyclecar" Valve Timing
« on: September 15, 2020, 06:20:04 AM »
Quote from: Lillianbrooks on September 15, 2020, 05:27:43 AM
It's very like an early J.A.P. motor and from what I've read on your forum, the J.A.P. Inlet opens 16 before TDC, closes 65 after BDC and the Exhaust opens 65 before BDC, closes 25 after TDC  - which is a hell of a difference.

Hi,

Yes indeed a hell of a difference, because those numbers go with a JAP racing engine of the late 1920s - something like a KTOR fitted to a bike lapping Brooklands at 100+ mph, not a 1914 light car. A pre WW1 engine with any overlap of the valves is a rare thing indeed, and only a handful of wizard tuners of the day would dare to suggest anything other than closing the exhaust valve before opening the inlet. Much was learned from aircraft engine development during the war.

Your dilemma is easily solved. Leave it alone, or sell it to someone who appreciates it for what it is. The Humberette is in many ways the prototypical "sports car" of the veteran era. Standard, and well sorted, they run along very nicely and climb most ordinary hills, and a hoot to drive. Find a Smiths carburettor and get all those little jets just as they were intended to be in 1914...

Not sure whether this is "sound advice" as I don't classify myself as "any old bloke", but at least I haven't resorted to fitting AMAL carburettors to my veteran bikes.

Cheers

Leon

4
Identify these bikes! / Re: 1920's Harley Davidson, what model is it?
« on: September 15, 2020, 05:25:18 AM »
Hi Robert,

Not many brown motorcycles in the 1920s - but it was the stock colour for New Hudson. Your grandfather's bike is probably a 1924 model, 350cc "Tourist". I've attached the only photo I could find of the left side of a similar model - from 1923 - which has a slightly different rear carrier. The 1924 is a better match. The distinguishing features are the gently sloping top frame rail, heel brake pedal, angled spark pug at the top rear of the cylinder, and foot boards swept up at the front. There was a similar 500cc model, but I don't think this is it.

In the period New Hudson offered a sidecar for their 350: not something we'd think of doing these days. But nice and flat in Holland!

Cheers

Leon

5
European and Other Bikes / Re: Cito KG
« on: August 30, 2020, 11:33:55 AM »
Warren liked this bike in part because of a link to the Australian-made "Aussi Also".

Here's a post about it on this site from 12 years ago. http://classicmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=2007.msg7690#msg7690 The photo of the Cito in this thread was take in Australia.

Cheers

Leon


6
European and Other Bikes / Re: Help needed super sport tt
« on: August 30, 2020, 10:32:35 AM »

Hi Sam,

There is a nice 5/012 advertised here: https://www.douglasmotorcycles.net/index.php?topic=8298.0

Cheers

Leon

7
British Bikes / Re: Coventry Eagle
« on: August 03, 2020, 12:27:59 PM »
Tricky, but fun. What are you missing? https://www.flickr.com/photos/9383961@N05/albums/72157607123448789/with/2829534285/

If you type coventry eagle into the search box at the top you'll see quite a number of Cov Eagle owners have passed through here at one time or another.

Leon

8
Identify these bikes! / Re: My grandfathers bike
« on: July 28, 2020, 11:11:03 PM »
Yes extremely nice - bike and photo. The Speed Twin was introduced in 1938, so the bike is a either 1938 or 1939. I love the "launch" sidecar, with little nautical doo-dads on the "deck".

I suppose the photo is hand coloured, which might explain some of the lack of detail on the tank.

Rare and very sought-after these days. If you add the name "Steve McQueen" you get seriously big money https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25192/lot/53/

Cheers

Leon

9
Identify these bikes! / Re: Might not be possible to identify but grateful for any help
« on: July 21, 2020, 07:35:37 AM »
1911 is the only year you'll find a Triumph with the double spring on the rocking front fork (single spring from 1912-on) AND a front wheel stand (new for 1911), so 1911 it is. Nice photo.

Leon

10
Autojumble / Re: Veteran New Hudson Engine wanted
« on: June 22, 2020, 04:24:16 AM »
Leave it with me for a few days.

The bike itself is a difficult restoration, with NH's own engine, gearbox, gearchange, clutch, chassis, cast alloy primary chain case, over-size mudguards, etc. Nice bike, but from the "solid and reliable" mould.

There's a New Hudson twin for sale at the moment - a year or so earlier with the three-speed hub gear, rather than the three-speed counter-shaft gearbox. There's sometimes confusion because NH advertised the hub-gear bikes as their "3-speed counter-shaft" model, which is technically correct as it does have a counter shaft and a 3-speed gear, just not in the same place! I was told the asking price is $A50,000-ish.

Cheers

Leon

11
Autojumble / Re: Veteran New Hudson Engine wanted
« on: June 21, 2020, 09:21:05 AM »
Like this one? I rebuilt the engine for a friend. The sidecar was spectacularly original.

The were some engine parts with the bike when it went to Tasmania.

Cheers

Leon

12
British Bikes / Re: Anyone recognise this TLS front brake?
« on: May 14, 2020, 02:11:01 PM »
Nice brake from a nice bike.

http://suprememotos.com/honda/101016-1963-honda-cb92-125-super-sport-benly-classic-vintage-very-rare-stunning-bike.html

Leon

13
Identify these bikes! / Re: Swallow Sidecar Company / identify sidecar
« on: April 23, 2020, 10:35:24 AM »
Looks great on the Sunbeam.

It could be Noxal, but that chassis looks pretty large for the sports body. I wonder if they started life together. If so, it might be a bit earlier than 1929?

Cheers

Leon

14
Identify these bikes! / Re: Help Me Identify This
« on: April 14, 2020, 02:04:10 PM »
Very chopper - down to the barley-twist side stand. I wonder what the intended engine was?

Leon

15
European and Other Bikes / Re: VAP ABG Raphael Geminiani
« on: April 14, 2020, 02:18:23 AM »
Yes it looks like you could re-paint the main part of the tank and leave the panels with the original transfers as they are.

Enjoy!

Leon

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