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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: Today at 04:55:45 PM »
I reckon your vice is as collectable as your bike will be. 
What is the intended rolling chassis?
What is the intended rolling chassis?
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: July 04, 2026, 07:42:57 PM »
A metric spec, but clearly not a metric thread.
I read somewhere many years ago that the early US loco's (the ones always featured in Westerns) used Imperial threadforms until US manufacturing and standards caught up.
I read somewhere many years ago that the early US loco's (the ones always featured in Westerns) used Imperial threadforms until US manufacturing and standards caught up.
3
British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: July 01, 2026, 04:55:41 PM »
BSP confuses everyone. The belief is that it refers to the pipe I/D, but that's likely a myth, too. 
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British Bikes / Re: Coventry Eagle 1932
« on: June 30, 2026, 01:13:13 PM »
Who knows?
Do you know Crocodile Dundee?
Do you know Crocodile Dundee?
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British Bikes / Re: Coventry Eagle 1932
« on: June 26, 2026, 11:51:10 AM »
I have two complete carbs (Villiers) which came as a job-lot with my C-E.
Shame you lot are too far away..
Shame you lot are too far away..
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British Bikes / Re: My 1951 G2 Trials
« on: June 08, 2026, 09:45:52 PM »
That strange paradox that as the world gets ever-smaller trade and carriage between countries gets more expensive.
{Unless you're China, in which case you can ship and sell anything anywhere for a couple of quid}
{Unless you're China, in which case you can ship and sell anything anywhere for a couple of quid}
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: May 29, 2026, 05:49:47 PM »
Just a suggestion for the click-clack.
I've noticed it on singles when they're being turned over slowly by hand that as it goes over the tip of the cam, the follower slaps down on the flank of the cam under valve spring pressure.
The days before quietening ramps and all that.
I've noticed it on singles when they're being turned over slowly by hand that as it goes over the tip of the cam, the follower slaps down on the flank of the cam under valve spring pressure.
The days before quietening ramps and all that.
9
British Bikes / Re: Albion gearbox BF436 - where used?
« on: May 27, 2026, 10:07:20 AM »
Spheerol. Cheap and cheerful, and works well on old 'boxes.
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British Bikes / Re: Albion gearbox BF436 - where used?
« on: May 19, 2026, 10:13:53 AM »
The pretty little bike in the pic-
nothing worse than mudguards which don't follow the tyre properly, although I suppose the builder would argue that he couldn't get a better fitting 'guard at the time.
nothing worse than mudguards which don't follow the tyre properly, although I suppose the builder would argue that he couldn't get a better fitting 'guard at the time.
11
British Bikes / Re: Tiger cub valve timing.
« on: April 22, 2026, 09:59:01 AM »
I think I'd rather look into skimming the piston crown before altering the valve timing.
Personally I can't see how altering the valve timing would or can alter the CR, given that it's a ratio of swept volume to compressed volume of the cylinder.
The CR would be the same even if there were no valves in place.
Altering the amount of time that the inlet valve is open may alter the amount of mixture entering the engine, but that's not the CR.
Personally I can't see how altering the valve timing would or can alter the CR, given that it's a ratio of swept volume to compressed volume of the cylinder.
The CR would be the same even if there were no valves in place.
Altering the amount of time that the inlet valve is open may alter the amount of mixture entering the engine, but that's not the CR.
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British Bikes / Re: Tiger cub valve timing.
« on: April 21, 2026, 11:20:39 AM »
My Venom was a tooth out on the valve timing and that bike could've been kicked until the next Millennium without starting.
I have two 350 singles, both with decompressors, and using the Big Single starting technique (easing over compression, etc) neither tax my knee, hip or heart too much to fire up. Not like twins, where you're always kicking through compression.
When I inevitably get to the "I can't start them any longer" stage I'll treat myself to a new Bantam at 350cc, or even one of those little AJS 125s, both cheap as chips and leccy start.
That's if I'd still trust myself to last on busy roads!
I have two 350 singles, both with decompressors, and using the Big Single starting technique (easing over compression, etc) neither tax my knee, hip or heart too much to fire up. Not like twins, where you're always kicking through compression.
When I inevitably get to the "I can't start them any longer" stage I'll treat myself to a new Bantam at 350cc, or even one of those little AJS 125s, both cheap as chips and leccy start.
That's if I'd still trust myself to last on busy roads!
13
British Bikes / Re: A Tale of Two Gearboxes
« on: April 09, 2026, 05:42:55 PM »
Assemble the boxes and see which one works, or look at the assembly drawing/gear positions and see?
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: April 08, 2026, 06:46:09 PM »
Re new pushrods, couldn't you do that old trick of repurposing rods from another engine? Shorten and refix ends as required?
At least you'd know that the material was good for the purpose.
At least you'd know that the material was good for the purpose.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: April 06, 2026, 09:58:57 AM »
Those different tappet settings when doing the valve timing is a Velocette foible too.
I assume (though I've never given it much thought) that it stops the valve spring operation from affecting the valve timing measurements.
Incidentally, when I was fannying around with the valve timing on my Venom (the timing marks were wrong- another long story) someone more experienced than me said to set the valve timing up just rocking at TDC on the exhaust stroke as a good start, and he was right. It was as near as..
Clearly not satisfactory on a Honda, but for something designed in the 1930s it was OK.
I assume (though I've never given it much thought) that it stops the valve spring operation from affecting the valve timing measurements.
Incidentally, when I was fannying around with the valve timing on my Venom (the timing marks were wrong- another long story) someone more experienced than me said to set the valve timing up just rocking at TDC on the exhaust stroke as a good start, and he was right. It was as near as..
Clearly not satisfactory on a Honda, but for something designed in the 1930s it was OK.