engine build - slowly but surely

[Dick Eastman]

I dunno where you guys get all those machines, tools and skills, but I'm very envious of what you do. Well done!

Muddy

Thanks, Muddy. I worked in the tool, die, and mold trade from 1970 to 2014. After I retired, I kept having to pay someone to machine stuff I would have done on my lunch break or after work, so after a few times I decided to buy a lathe and mill, and trying to find used machines that weren't worn out was difficult - and this area has a lot. I also had space considerations, and the mill is a scaled down Bridgeport.
Having the tools/experience spreads over into other hobbies besides motorcycles, like model engine collecting, hobby gunsmithing, and R/C aircraft.

[Dick Eastman]

I agree. But even if I can't do that stuff myself, it's fun to see others' accomplishments. As Muddy said - well done.

I dunno where you guys get all those machines, tools and skills, but I'm very envious of what you do. Well done!

Muddy

Thanks, Seadog. My goal is to have a replica track bike ,from "back in the day". As soon as I get my carb parts plated, I will get back to the frame and get the seat and tank fitted.

[cknight]

Well done. Did you make the washers under the head stud nuts, or are they commercially available? Thanks, Chase

[Dick Eastman]

Well done. Did you make the washers under the head stud nuts, or are they commercially available? Thanks, Chase

I made the copper washers. The acorn nuts are stainless, and slightly shorter than stock, so I made the washers thicker. Also, I re-cut the spotface under the washers for both a better finish, especially to seal the two studs carrying oil - some of the factory surfaces were not square with the studs. I also spotfaced all of the stud locations on the bottom case half. The stainless acorn nuts were available at local bolt supply house - trying to use S/S hdwr, wherever possible.

[Dick Eastman]

More stainless - I made these exhaust collars today, from 304 S/S seamless tubing:

[Dick Eastman]

Well done. Did you make the washers under the head stud nuts, or are they commercially available? Thanks, Chase

I made the copper washers. The acorn nuts are stainless, and slightly shorter than stock, so I made the washers thicker. Also, I re-cut the spotface under the washers for both a better finish, especially to seal the two studs carrying oil - some of the factory surfaces were not square with the studs. I also spotfaced all of the stud locations on the bottom case half. The stainless acorn nuts were available at local bolt supply house - trying to use S/S hdwr, wherever possible.

[Dick Eastman]

I received my wheels from Buchanans Monday - they did a very nice job. The hubs are the same paint/color as side covers; paint is single-stage urethane. I went with stock sizes on the Excel rims, which are Akront copies [wheel of choice for track bikes from the era]; WM1 front, WM2 rear; 9 guage spokes rear, 10 guage front, S/S. Now for tires/tubes...