Motorcycle General Discussion

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by thaiguzzi on 23/07/2017 05:23:04:

Just read he's broken a record. Unfortunately the motor is one of the new liquid cooled DOHC Scouts. They go fast straight out of the box.

Unlike Bert's 180 odd mph record on a SIDE VALVE based m/c….

Edited By thaiguzzi on 23/07/2017 05:25:08

He did convert it to OHV though. That was quite a trick.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Hopper on 24/07/2017 01:02:55:

Posted by thaiguzzi on 23/07/2017 05:23:04:

Just read he's broken a record. Unfortunately the motor is one of the new liquid cooled DOHC Scouts. They go fast straight out of the box.

Unlike Bert's 180 odd mph record on a SIDE VALVE based m/c….

Edited By thaiguzzi on 23/07/2017 05:25:08

He did convert it to OHV though. That was quite a trick.

As Hollywood movies go, that was up there with the best of them, even the shed scenes were great.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by thaiguzzi on 25/07/2017 10:14:29:

Posted by Hopper on 24/07/2017 01:02:55:

Posted by thaiguzzi on 23/07/2017 05:23:04:

Just read he's broken a record. Unfortunately the motor is one of the new liquid cooled DOHC Scouts. They go fast straight out of the box.

Unlike Bert's 180 odd mph record on a SIDE VALVE based m/c….

Edited By thaiguzzi on 23/07/2017 05:25:08

He did convert it to OHV though. That was quite a trick.

As Hollywood movies go, that was up there with the best of them, even the shed scenes were great.

Yes, quite authentic right down to the Myford ML7 lathe and the old toaster on the shelf behind it where he made his breakfast. An old friend of mine was a cadet photographer at the local newspaper and used to take Bert's picture every year when he was setting out for Bonneville. She swore he had the same pot of stew bubbling away in the corner every time she went there, just added a few extra bits and pieces to it every day she reckons.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Another bit of a legend speed enthusiasts

**LINK**

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

thanks Windy, watched the video….even the music was good………

Indian lives on……MEN in SHED'S comes to mind……..must get on with mine…….hahaha….only had it for 40 years !!!

clogs

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Living not far from my spiritual speed home Elvington the old and new friends I have met over the last few years there has been a right boost for me and helped me through troubled health times just like the members of my model club .

**LINK**

The greetings I get from my young and old speed attempt friends shows what a large family engineering enthusiasts have.

The same is for the ME clubs I would recommend joining a club as many of our hobbies are done in isolation to meet fellow enthusiasts helps encourage others to have a go.

Back to Elvington and soon the bikes will be doing 200 mph plus and maybe a new record for Becci.

Against a head wind 249mph was achieved with the new bike a short while ago.

Her machines power is awesome and has not been flat out due to weather her present record is 264mph

**LINK**

[larry PhelanParticipant @larryphelan54019]

Was very interested in the replies to my comments on English motor bikes. What prompted my remarks was that I live not too far from a ferry port,and in the car park of the swimming pool which I use,I often see English motorcyclists,over here to tour our quaint little country. The odd thing is,I have never seen any of them with English bikes,all Jap or German. When I asked some of them about this,why none of them had English bike,they said "Where are they?" They said that for serious runs the Honda or Yamaha or BMW was the way to go,so I assumed that English bikes were no longer being made. Seems I was wrong,although they seem to be few and far between,only two makes out of how many?

In my youth [many moons ago] I had a Frances Barnett known as a Fanny Bee,if any of you remember them. I seem to remember something about a new model BSA being brought out some years ago,but with a Jap engine !

Would this qualify ?

Edited By JasonB on 01/08/2017 16:24:48

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

out of interest,

in my younger days a close friend modified a SV Harley to OHV using AJS barrels and pistons…..he eventually went to Oz (along with all the other very skilled people and another SV Harley, a sweet Knucklehead + his wife's Duo-Glide)……

raced at Duxford, that's before the aircraft went there and in the early days of Santa-Pod….

I helped build a twin engined Ariel Arrow, no money but lot's of enthusiasm…….1 university lecturer from Nottigham (I think) raced 1 of the very early 2stroke Yamaha's, birdcage frame……..needles to say he cleaned up and the thing aways started……..hahaha……he was a nice bloke….often watched George Brown…….

happy day's…….clogs

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Posted by larry Phelan on 01/08/2017 16:21:42:

Was very interested in the replies to my comments on English motor bikes. What prompted my remarks was that I live not too far from a ferry port,and in the car park of the swimming pool which I use,I often see English motorcyclists,over here to tour our quaint little country. The odd thing is,I have never seen any of them with English bikes,all Jap or German. When I asked some of them about this,why none of them had English bike,they said "Where are they?" They said that for serious runs the Honda or Yamaha or BMW was the way to go,so I assumed that English bikes were no longer being made. Seems I was wrong,although they seem to be few and far between,only two makes out of how many?

In my youth [many moons ago] I had a Frances Barnett known as a Fanny Bee,if any of you remember them. I seem to remember something about a new model BSA being brought out some years ago,but with a Jap engine !

Would this qualify ?

Edited By JasonB on 01/08/2017 16:24:48

Well Triumph have been back many years now after the original company collapsed in the early 1980's. In my opinion making bikes every bit as good as anyone else, the owner John Bloor is not a man to suffer fools or have a buisness not making money. Norton are also making very nice, but expensive machines.

I do remember the bsa you talk of, there were two designers who used to do television programmes had a hand in it, Seymour-Powell i seem to recall. But all small cc bikes are now made in the developing countries in the far east.

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

The Gold Star 'copy,' known as the SR500, was a 500 Yamaha engine fitted in a swing arm frame. Made (perhaps assembled would be the correct term) by BSA Regal of lace w:st=”on”>Southamptonlace> it sold in small numbers. >>

I was caught out when you said Jap. Had me thinking of the JAP (J A Prestwich) company who produced an untold number of engines for every kind of use – from aircraft to speedway – from 1902 to 1964. >>

Francis-Barnetts can still be bought. However they are re-barged machines of Chinese manufacture.>>

[larry PhelanParticipant @larryphelan54019]

I thought Howth was to the East of Dublin.Used to be when I lived there. Has it moved?

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Yes, Howth is north east Dublin. Haven't been there in years, so like the rest of the city it has probably been over developed.

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

Some 'between the hedges' stuff from Northern Ireland

**LINK**

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by JimmieS on 06/08/2017 20:02:48:

Some 'between the hedges' stuff from Northern Ireland

**LINK**

I watched that and Thruxton today it makes Formula 1 look so boring.

Sadly a True Heroes set-up rider lost his life today at Thruxton.

**LINK**

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

I had a Yamaha SR500 (KWR820V) back in around 1980 I think it was. Surprising amount of power on tickover, and with a top speed somewhere well in excess of the legal speed limit. It was faster than I dared go at anyrate. Economical as well, which was probably a good thing given the size of the tank – normally around 60mpg around home, but about 75mpg on the only long journey I ever took it on.

The biggest problem I had, which I only discovered on it's first MOT, was that rear swinging arm. According to the workshop manual, there was supposed to be a grease nipple for it – there wasn't, on mine at any rate, with the result that eventually it started to wear and give an excessive amount of sideways movement. Somehow, on that first MOT, the mechanic managed to do something which got rid of the sideways movement, nevertheless, I took it to the nearest Yamaha service dealer and got charged £100 for a replacement, along with a choice selection of words. Apparently, the mechanic went through quite a number of hacksaw blades trying to cut the pivot!

Apart from that, I found it quite a nice bike to ride, although starting could be a tad awkward unless you followed the instructions to the letter.

Towards the end I stopped riding in the winter, and then one year I never started again so I gave up for good and sold it for £100.

Peter G. Shaw

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

More of 'between the hedges' with the Ulster Grand Prix

**LINK**

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

Listening to the radio this am and was amazed to learn that, over here in Northern Ireland, a motorcycle license is required to drive any electric bike on the road and the vehicle must be registered, taxed and insured. Another indirect tax collection idea. Save the world and hound the people. The world has turned sour indeed.

**LINK**

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Odd. Last time we looked, NI was part of the UK. Presumably the NI Assembly has different views on what is allowed. The UK regs are clear. Max power 250W continuous rated power etc.

On the other side of the pond, you are free to operate petrol or electric bikes etc without the need for a license as long as you are limited in power (500W in BC, Canada – presumably similar in US?). Not sure what the limit is but you see all manner of home made mopeds etc over there and there is a tradition of modifying vehicles in a way that wouldn't fly here.

Murray

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

Nothing in Northern Ireland is as simple as it appears. We have had no 'government' in since the start of the year so laws can not be made, acted upon or deleted.



Below is an extract from today's Belfast Telegraph which explains the situation in more detail.



'Cyclists using electric bikes have to undergo testing, have insurance and a motorcycle licence – but only in Northern Ireland, it's been revealed.

The Northern Ireland Executive never got around to changing legislation when battery-powered bikes became popular, meaning they are classified as motor vehicles in the eyes of the law and those behind the handlebars must have the proper credentials before hitting the road.

They also need to wear a motorbike helmet, protective clothing like leathers and pass both a theory and practical test.

Police have said those caught using them without the proper licence or insurance face being hit with six penalty points or a £1,000 fine. In the rest of the UK anyone over 14 can ride one without a licence, tax or insurance.'



Jim

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Now that's both interesting, and, dare I say, discriminatory.

A few years ago, my daughter had a very nasty accident in that she fell off a horse, broke her back and crushed her spinal cord, and as a result is paraplegic and living life in a wheelchair. She has bought a device which converts a 4 wheel chair into a powered tricycle. It clips onto the front of the wheelchair, lifts the front two small wheels clear of the floor and provides a third, heavy duty wheel at the front which is both hand and electrically driven. The result is that she can now travel out and about with other people who may be on bicycles; she can, with care, go into, eg, woodland on roughish tracks. In short, it enables her to get out and about over reasonable distances without having to depend on her Motability car.

So, in NI then, she would have to put on a crash hat and leathers? Pass a test? Have insurance and a motorcycle licence? I rather think that all of that would preclude her from living life as near as possible to non-disabled. Which to me, given that NI is part of the UK, suggests that NI may be breaking the anti-disability discrimination laws.

Now, ok, insurance and a licence probably wouldn't be that bad, but having to wear leathers would actually be quite difficult for her, especially leg leathers. And as for the helmet, she already wears a cycle helmet, but I think a proper motorcycle helmet would be rather restrictive.

Incidently, I'm making the assumption that by converting her wheelchair into a powered tricycle, means that it would be treated the same as a powered bicycle.

Hmmm,

Peter G. Shaw

[larry PhelanParticipant @larryphelan54019]

Of course it,s a stupid situation,but who set up N Ireland,was it not the UK?

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Just saw an advert for Magnum choc ice on TV, shop in background has a Vincent Comet in the window.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Peter, would your daughters WC not come under the description of mobility scooter/powered wheelchair, rather than a powered tricycle, only thing that would do it would limit the speed to 6 kph here in NZ, and it maybe similar in UK.

Ian S C

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Ian,

Don't know. But what I do know is that it's a darn sight faster than 6kph (assuming that's 6 kilometer per hour or about 3.7mph). It consists of a hub mounted motor and a hand operated set of pedals with either a 7 or a 9 speed Derailleur type gears. We were on holiday together recently and on a circular cycle route she could easily keep up with the rest of us on our bikes. It's made by BATEC, a Portuguese company.

Whilst I can see the reasoning behind a speed limit, after all, I wouldn't want her powering up behind me at speed if I was walking, such a low speed limit would be rather restrictive, I think.

Actually she made in interesting observation whilst we were out. We were on a Sustrans Route (cycles and walking) in the Scottish Highlands and I commented about having to cycle next to the road because of the fumes. Daughter said how nice it was not having to contend with traffic.

Peter G. Shaw.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

Some of you guys maybe able to help me.

I have a 2001 CB600 FS Hornet that needs some new brake pads. I cannot find out if to order Sintered or organic pads.?

I know the later ones will probably use sintered but not sure about the earlier ones like mine and I hear that the disk rotor has to be designed for sintered or will be damaged. Or is this an internet myth.?

Cheers, Nick

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