Hitchcocks Forum

Hi forum users. Is it possible to fit a 99 Indian 500 crank into 58 Redditch 500 cases? The difference between Redditch and Indian cranks is that the Redditch timing side bearing is a roller race that runs straight onto the crankshaft behind a phosphor bronze bush. The Indian version is a straight single roller bearing. The drive sides of both versions look the same, apart from metric and imperial differences. My 58 engine has worn main bearings but also a worn timing side shaft where the bearing run directly onto it. This doesn’t seem the best design as when the bearings/shaft wear a complete and costly crank rebuild is required, whereas the Indian version just needs new bearings as they don’t run direct on the shaft. Can I adapt the 58 cases to take the 99 Indian crank/bearing set up and so make future rebuilds more straightforward?
On another note, the 58 engine has completely worn mains and crankshaft, but the so called crappy floating bush has no up and down play at all. Thanks for your help

H'i chris you might be able to get the damaged main shaft metal sprayed. Theres a place at white lee I think their called metalisers,i'ts on the A62 leeds road at the trafic lights just past Robin Hood watersports.If you take your crankshaft along they will tellyou if it can be done it may be a cheaper way of doing the job. Steve

Hi Chris. Ah, the bearing rollers run directly on the shafts in Redditch cranks, that's interesting. My Electra X main bearings have indeed got the inner race on the shafts. Problem with my crank was that the drive and timing side shafts were of differing diameter. I somehow bodged the timing side race on as it was far too tight a fit, and had to use some kind of Loctite filler to keep the drive side inner race on as it was way too loose. Norm who gave me info during my engine rebuild, mentioned that about half of the Indian cranks he's worked with have shafts of varying diameter. So if you do ever go down the route of using an Indian crank, make sure you get one with shafts of the correct diameter. It will save you a pile of trouble,.

Thanks Steve, I'll try them if I can't convert the cases. Ideally I'd like to get away from running bearings direct on the shaft though. Anyone know if I can?

chris my dear boy i have a cheap solution!throw the lot away and get the lambretta running or alternatively you could just keep the clockwork indian motor running as it seems to run ok apart from the hit & miss starting procedure atb paul.

Tim Busby explained the Electra issue regarding cranks,they are built up then the timing side shaft is ground down to eliminate runout,which should be perfect.
Now this may be your solution Chris,finding a bearing and grinding the '58 crank to suit a modern metric inner for the roller.
jack.

Might be the answer jack, not sure if a modern metric bearing will go in the crankcase though, if so then the Indian crank will also fit. Paul the Indian engines going nowhere, just thinking ahead to the time when it's mains go and its a case of which engine gets a rebuild. The BIghead engines not going in Brighouse canal just yet.

pitty you didn,t get the head chris then that would have been interesting anyway good luck with the project also if the mains go on the indian engine there not a big job !as i say on the wet snowy day that engine purred like a kitten well done!atb paul

How's your lumbar spine Paul? still looking forward to a go on the rigid.

hi chris ,my spine is great,the back damaging effect of a rigid is falacy !the springs on the saddle provide ample luxury ,it shows how hard the origional shocks are and the lack of bump soaking they do also the steering is also a lot quicker and handling is smoother coupled to the sedate diesel speeds its a winner in my book atb paul.