Topic: Vintage sidecar rebuild - new video

[Tintop]

Have you been following the thread on VRRA about a bunch going to Phillip Island next year??  Sounds like lots of $'s, but would be a life time memory.

I would love to see you blokes down here.
Would it help if bikes could be arranged from this end?
Cheers,
Brian

Huummm, really nice of you to offer Bear. I just can't do it this year but I'll let Brian answer for himself.

+1, an exceptional offer Brian.   Would 'arranging a ride' also include a sidecar??  If so, I'll speak to my passenger, and see if it might work for him.  PI is just short of 11 months from now, so we'd have to start filling the piggy bank rightway.

[bear]

No worries Brent.
Yes Brian, me arranging a bike for you down here, that's what I was thinking.
2014 or 2015, either way.
We would organize to prep. the bike for you but you would have to fork out for the entry and fuel.

Cheers,
Brian

[Tintop]

A very tempting offer Bear.  I've L/M for my passenger to see what he says.  With the move, building a shop space, and getting the rig ready for this season, 2014 might be a hard stretch, but 2015.....let you know soon.

[bear]

Here's the simplified version Sam, should be as clear as mud.

The P2 class (my bike) is restricted to twins (max 750cc 4 stroke / 500cc 2 stroke), manufactured up to the end of 72; wheels 15" or greater, max 5" tread.  The XS qualifies as a continuation of the TX650.  The best motor for the class is the BMW because of it's low CG.  It's drawback is the shaft drive, and expensive parts.

The P3 class is for short bikes with smaller then 15" wheels (eg 13" or 10" like Bear's Windle), and wider than 5" tread.  The Fiddaman uses 7 & 8 x 13 slicks.  The engine has to be a 4 stroke, production based, available up to December 31 / 82.   It use to be the engine had to have an original displacement of less than 900cc's.  The SOHC CB750, DOHC CB750F, Triumph Trident, and Kawi 750 were all eligible engines, and you could bore/stroke them to the class max of 900cc's (+5% over bore).  The CB900F (901), and Kawi Z1 (906) were not allowed because their original cc's exceeded 900, not including the over bore.  The CB900F is now eligible, along with the Kawi, so is the CBX six.    As awesome as the six would sound, it's probably a poor choice because of it's width, weight, and cost for racing parts.  While probably not the 'best choice', I've got x2 SOHC 750 engines, and an MR 1060 kit to work with, so that's what I'll use.  Being a dry sump has both oiling, and weight distribution advantages as well.  Using a 900 crank adds stroke, and brings along the Hy-vo primary chain, both good.  As I said, I'm going to have to think & plan this out while I restore the chassis.

I'm probably going to be burnt at the stake for heresy but would the Suzuki GSX1100's be an option with the new rules?

Cheers,
Brian

[RAFster122s]

Brian, are you trying to give Bear an shot of "Indian Summer"?

Cool on the class options and fun ahead. Hope to enjoy reading about your wins and adventures with video and photos galore...

[Tintop]

At this point Bear, yes the GSX1100 would be legal in two clubs (SRA & AHRMA).  If you prep'd for SRA, the displacement limit is 1200cc, currently with AHRMA it's 1300!!  However they both have different cut-off dates, 1982 with AHRMA, and 1989 with SRA.  There are a bunch of us that are trying to get all the clubs to all adopt the engine rules, with the same cut-off date(s) as the solos.

P3 - 1100cc air cooled / 1982 cut-off / front or rear exit / minimum 10" wheel with 6" tread.
P4 - 750cc / 1989 cut-off / rear exit only / 13" wheels, max 9" rim.

If those engine rules are adopted, my Honda engine choices become:
P3 engine - CB1100F
P4 engine - VFR750

[brooze72]

 Would that be the end of that nice Interceptor you ride Brian?

[Tintop]

Would that be the end of that nice Interceptor you ride Brian?

No...I know were there's an 87 parts bike.  Engine to a sidecar, front end, rear wheel, & brakes to the Interceptor.

[Tintop]

Time for an update, as it's only 30 days to the 'test & tune' weekend.

Chassis has been cleaned & checked for cracks..none found.   Wheels have gone out to have spoke tension checked, checked for true, and new Dunlops installed.  P'd/U a spare wheel with an alloy 16" DID rim & ZX1000Ltd 48 spoke disk hub.  It's getting a new Dunlop as well.  This will let me change rear gearing quickly this season by pre-mounting a second sprocket.

The rockers & shafts are on they're way back from CycleX after being coated.  Thanks Ken for the quick turn around.   Expecting that the engine will go in to have the new cam, coated rockers and shafts, fresh springs & seals installed late next week.

Ordered additional Weber parts from Pierce Manifold in CA, and added a Syncometer to the list for the tool box.  After going through the carb it appears that the discharge was a '0' (no number).  So I've ordered the following:  Pump Jets - 35 & 40 / Discharge - 50 / Idle Jets - 50F9 / Air Correctors - 190. 

[Tintop]

The coated rocker & shafts came back from CycleX, look great...many thanks to the crew at CycleX for the quick turn around.



Their now at the shop with the new cam, springs, seals, and oversize head gasket.  Should be ready later this week.  A couple of strange things came to light with the Weber carb I'm using.  Called Pierce Manifold to find out why the differences to every other Weber I've worked on.  Seems this one ( a '149') was built/setup for either a Lambo, or Maserati.

[Tintop]

Today was not a good day.   Got a call from the shop re the engine.....pistons are toast from a light seize.   Sleeves can be saved, but it will need new pistons.  Consenses is that the original boring was on the tight side, and it didn't get enough break-in, and / or warm-up to suit the forged pistons.

Calls & emails have been sent, and the shop will check with the Wiseco distributor Monday.  Did locate a fresh race motor, but it would put a big hole in the race budget.

[RAFster122s]

Tintop,

I hope you are able to source some new pistons inexpensively. Sorry to hear of the misfortune.  Maybe all the misfortune will be now so you will have a uneventful season without that mess.

David

[bwaller]

Hopefully pistons can be sourced easily. Should still be time to make your test day. What piston clearance did the manufacturer ask for? I doubt the break-in or lack of would mimic a seizure, they may well have been too tight though. Too bad man, but it might explain some of your dial in problems.

The pistons I'm still using are -1% silicone, so tough yes, but they grow like crazy. I used 0.003" originally and it was barely enough judging by the scuffing on each side of the skirt. Of course after two seasons, that's not a concern anymore. The plan is to try to stretch a third out of them!

Chin up Brian, there will be better days ahead.

[Tintop]

Getting pistons isn't the problem.  More the time it will take for them to get here, and get the machining done to fit them.  Should know Monday AM if they will be Wiseco's from Canadian distributor, or have to come from Mike's XS in the US.

Also means there won't be any time to do any dyno work before the 'test & tune' to get the carb setup.   Plan had been to use that to heat cycle the new tires, and work on gearing choices.  Just going to make that weekend busier.

Did get the modified seat back, what a difference.   I'm at least 1 1/2" further back, and down.  Enough that I will have to re-position the bars, because of the extra reach.  Should be worth a couple of mph on the straights, as I can now get down almost completely behind the screen.

[scottly]

Any pictures of the pistons?

[Tintop]

Any pictures of the pistons?

No scotty, didn't have my camera with me, and the bottom end was in the back of the shop with poor light.  If I was really in a pinch I could probably just knurl them, add new rings, and reuse.  However the sleeves will need more than a light hone, so better to redo it right.

[Tintop]

Pistons from Mike's XS purchased, and on their way.  81mm, coated sides, tapered pin, $100 Cdn each including rings.  According to the dyno sheet on the web site should make 60 / 65hp with the cam I'm using.

[brooze72]

Ooh, sounds like fun ahead!

[Tintop]

Brooze72....are you planning on Mosport this year??  What about one of the Shanny rounds?

[brooze72]

Mosport for sure, gotta check the Shanny dates to see if they fit, June is a bear, I've got 5 damn weddings to attend this summer! Also doing the Ganny 250 again on June 1.

[Tintop]

Shanny dates are - May 31 / June 2 (sounds like that's out for you), & July 6 / 7.  Mosport is later this year, Aug 23 to 25.

[Tintop]

Know how everyone likes pics.   Just dropped these replacement 81mm ones off at the shop. 

[Tintop]

Made to last alteration for the revised jetting....added a fuel pressure regulator.  Currently set @ 2.7lbs.  Just need to do some safety wiring.

[Tintop]

It's Alive!!

Got the timing set today, and the crack in the frame repaired.  With the help of some WD40 & 1000 emery paper, the rear master is now working, and bled.  Got it home and did a quick sync check, spot on.   Still need to make some adjustments though, as the idle isn't quite there.  Seems like it needs a touch more air, and I don't want to open the butterflies any further (and expose the progression holes).  Going to try adding some using the air correctors.   That's tomorrow's job.  After that I just need to safety wire the drain plugs, attach the belly pan, and install the fairing. 

See you at Shanny Brent.

[bwaller]

Right on Brian....unless you change your mind about Laconia.