blackburne engine

[madmac]

I have bought a Blackburne engine,single cylinder side valve thought to be 250cc.I am trying to get some history as to wheather it was fitted to a Blackburne Bike or if it was made for other manufacturers.There is a serial number at the base of the barrel and a serial number on the crankcase.A amal carb is fitted and a Lucas mageto.Would appreciate any help.

[cardan]

We probably need a photo or two, as well as the ID numbers. Blackburne built and sold motors for a range of applications.

Leon

[madmac]

Hi

Thanks for reply.I have attached a couple of pics and the serial numbers are:-

Number on barrell is MC 5528
Number on crank is JC 1659

[chaterlea25]

Hi madmac,
Judging from the coupling outside the flywheel your engine originated in some sort of garden or industrial machine (lawnmower??)
This engine type does not normally have an outside flywheel like the earlier Blackburne engines (or at least I havn't seen one??)
Its likely it was needed to add flywheel effect (back to lawnmower thoughts?)

I have only ever seen a picture of one motorcycle fitted with this type of Blackburne engine,
I think it was a Dutch built Ravat??? attached pics are low res copied from a selling site

HTH
John

[madmac]

Hi HTH john

Thank you for your help on my engine.I bought it as a motorcycle engine but your never too old to be off guard.
I am not good with vintage,I should stick to the classics.I do intend polishing and painting the engine.I hope the value of it covers my outlay.It runs well and nice condition,what price do you think it could acheive.
Regards
John

[cardan]

Hi John,
A friend out here in Australia had one of these motors for a number of years, and decided eventually that it was not really a motorcycle motor (although some small firms may have used it as such). I don't think it will ever be valuable, but it is pretty!
Leon

[madmac]

Hi Guys
I am not getting anywhere on identifying the Blackburne engine.I appreciate any further help as to finding vintage clubs that would help .Trouble is they will want me to join before i can get info

[chaterlea25]

Hi Madmac,
Theres a similar engine on Ebay at the moment, number 190659892991,
Looks as if not much interest in it
Have you contacted Rick Parkington via Classic Bike magazine?
Rick has been collecting and collating Blackburne info, so as to get a history / dating database together
HTH
John

[cardan]

And another:

http://www.emwfeller.de/xtcweb/product_info.php?info=p275_Blackburne-350-ccm-Motor--technisch-gut.html

[chaterlea25]

HI All,
Hmmmmm, I think I'll go for the £20 one 
The man is delusional in thinking one is worth €900   
This type of engine has a fore and aft camshaft driven by a skew gear, and the valves are at an inclined angle towards the cylinder?
Not a great design in my opinion
To the best of my knowledge this design appeared around 1928, ?
I wonder why Blackburne moved away from  the traditionally designed sidevalver for the utility market??
I know that the produced some unique engine designs in very small quantities for various manufacturers
This must have been hugely cost ineffective!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
John

[Dirt_Track]

G'day all
Be careful these motors were fitted into lawn mowers and the like....not just motorcycles.
Howard.

[oldbritbike]

Few days ago, i bought this engine and found what motorcycle it was. It was ER 20 model from RAVAT motorcycle (finally...i knew it  )

But right now, I need information about the gearbox. Is there anybody here know about it?

At the first time, I thought it using the sturmey archer gearbox, but i still don't what type of gearbox that had been used for this motorcycle.

I would appreciate for any kind of information. Thanks before..

[cardan]

The gearbox looks like a Burman, but there was at least one French gearbox that was similar - the Staub. My guess is that it is one or the other.

Leon

[oldbritbike]

The gearbox looks like a Burman, but there was at least one French gearbox that was similar - the Staub. My guess is that it is one or the other.

Leon

thx man, i appreciated your info. i'll try to find out that gearbox....

[cardan]

Have fun! Don't forget that gearboxes (Burman, Staub and others) come in a range of sizes to suit "motorcycles of any power" as it says in the attached Staub advert from 1924. Not sure what size your motor is, but if it's 350 or smaller it would usually go with a 2-stud-mount gearbox like the one in the advert. 500cc+ would usually have 4-stud. Sorry I don't know anything about Ravats, or dating Blackburne motors.

Leon