classic motorcycle forum

If you do as suggested by R and use a pencil or such through the plug hole you'll find that there are 2 top dead centres. One of these should have a clearance on both valves (the end of the compression stroke), the other should have no clearance (end of the exhaust stroke). Make sure you're checking on the right one.

7mm full advance doesn't sound  much to me - but you can wrtite what I know about these bikes on a postage stamp.

I really don't think you should be trying to imitate the original stamping as (a) it could be considered fraudulent and (b) it's unlikely it would pass any but the most cursory inspection. You say it's a replacement engine so presumably you still have the original. If the crankcases are unusable then I suppose you could use the number from them and stamp your replacement - but not trying to emulate original. If they're OK then why not build the engine up using them?

The days of merrily stamping odd crankcases up are long gone and possibly a good thing too.

RC arrived at my local library yesterday. Remarkably uninformative (and uninformed) as usual from Mr Miles - eg the comments about banana forks (those fitted aren't) and that only certain frames are suitable for Triumph engines (all the pre-65 or so frames are OK). I was hoping for some useful hints & tips.....

Slowly cracking on with dry engine build while I wait for date confirmation documents so I can register it. Yesterday I ground in the valves and was rewarded by no leakage when all assembled. I did have to remove some pitting from the exhausts by putting them in the lathe and using a hand-held dremel with a small grinding stone.

Thanks John, I might try that. I've tracked down all the Britton articles and compiled them into a word document. He does make heavy weather of some things, and much of it is frame stuff which has no interest for me but useful all the same.

Something else I've found really useful is a set of youtube videos by a bloke called Michael Waller. He built a Triumph Otter so rebuilt the (500cc unit) engine which again is very useful to me. He's here: https://youtu.be/Q4tNS8rHKmY

I've weeded out the Triumph parts. I've found almost enough to build a 350 engine and have sold a fair bit of surplus on ebay and elsewhere. I'm taking the residue to HJ Pugh who will include the bits in their April auction.

In other news I've been visited by a Greeves Riders' Association machine examiner who's happy my bike (with its Villiers engine) is pukka and the club is in the process of issuing a dating certificate so I can register it. I need to keep it more or less standard until I've gone through that process.

Yes, I don't anticipate any real difficulty once I've sorted out which bits are serviceable and which not. I've started collecting the Britton articles but as you say a lot of waffle - although reasonably well written - and much of no interest to me. But all grist to a somewhat overwhelmed mill.

I think I have a decent 500 barrel which is either standard or on first rebore and a set of +.040" low compression pistons to suit. One crankshaft seems to be in good condition with good threads and no play on the big ends (although will strip to check) and no marks on the timing side journal. The relevant head is very corroded but will have it vapour blasted to see what's underneath - hopefully will be OK with maybe a light skim of the head face.

I'll print out the parts list and go through methodically to see what is useable, what is scrap, and what I need to source. In parallel sorting out registration for the Greeves which I need to do while it still retains its (non-original but correct period) 9E engine.

I'm embarking on a new project - a Grumph / Tri-Greeves. I have a Hawkstone frame and a job lot of Triumph engine parts - both 500 and 350. I'm not at all familiar with Triumphs so would very much welcome any hints and tips from the collected wisdom here. I will have a load of surplus bits so these will become available once I understand what I need and what not.

Thanks in advance