- Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:55 am
#2100
(translation from Anglo-Saxon terms used)
It all started last week, when I suddenly noticed a light ticking noise coming from the area of the cylinder head. First thought was that one of the tappets was possibly in need of adjustment or tightening. No, both tappets are OK, Hmm! So I check all the bolts and nuts in the local area and they all appear tight (and still there!) So it being Sunday let's have a run into Derbyshire with the kids in the sidecar, and also keep an ear out for where the noise is coming from. So several miles out into Derbyshire and I notice the ticking only occurs when the engine is under load. Very strange! Suddenly the tick, tick, tick turns into a loud and destructive clank, clank, clank. Thankfully several years of riding two strokes have left my clutch hand with a reaction speed the rest of my body couldn't home to match. In the time it took to think Oh dear (polite version) the clanking had ceased, as had all noise from the engine as I coasted to a halt. Light pressure on the kickstart told me that the engine had seized. At this point I felt some chastisement was in order and shouted several dire threats, interspersed with some Anglo-Saxon terms at the bike in the hope that the bike would un-seize and start to behave itself. To my surprise my eight year old daughter stood up in the sidecar seat and in defence of the expired bike and responded with threats of what she would do if I followed through with my threat on her (HER! the cheek!) bike. My son, aged six agreed with her from the back of the sidecar. Muttering to myself I reached into my pocket and... and no mobile phone Arrgggh! Thinking hard it suddenly occurred to me that I carry my insurance documents, went for the pocket and realised I carry them in my OTHER coat. So I push the bike to the nearest house and am fortunate enough to find a home owner who was an ex-Enfield rider. To my joy he not only offered to keep the outfit in his garage but even offered me a lift home with the two sprogs!
Next day armed with a gift of a bottle of wine we recovered the bike to a mechanic who isn't afraid of Enfields AND who knows exactly what sacrifice is required to complete the dark art of setting up a sidecar. I am now waiting to hear the bad news of what caused the tick, Clank, Seize.
I am now wondering if the engine is properly blown whether to purchase another 350 engine from Pricepart, or to 'donate' the engine from my 500cc Enfield project Any ideas what I will need to change if I do? and do I need to swap the gearbox as well.
I will keep you all advised on the saga (assuming my daughter doesn't follow through with her threats!)
It all started last week, when I suddenly noticed a light ticking noise coming from the area of the cylinder head. First thought was that one of the tappets was possibly in need of adjustment or tightening. No, both tappets are OK, Hmm! So I check all the bolts and nuts in the local area and they all appear tight (and still there!) So it being Sunday let's have a run into Derbyshire with the kids in the sidecar, and also keep an ear out for where the noise is coming from. So several miles out into Derbyshire and I notice the ticking only occurs when the engine is under load. Very strange! Suddenly the tick, tick, tick turns into a loud and destructive clank, clank, clank. Thankfully several years of riding two strokes have left my clutch hand with a reaction speed the rest of my body couldn't home to match. In the time it took to think Oh dear (polite version) the clanking had ceased, as had all noise from the engine as I coasted to a halt. Light pressure on the kickstart told me that the engine had seized. At this point I felt some chastisement was in order and shouted several dire threats, interspersed with some Anglo-Saxon terms at the bike in the hope that the bike would un-seize and start to behave itself. To my surprise my eight year old daughter stood up in the sidecar seat and in defence of the expired bike and responded with threats of what she would do if I followed through with my threat on her (HER! the cheek!) bike. My son, aged six agreed with her from the back of the sidecar. Muttering to myself I reached into my pocket and... and no mobile phone Arrgggh! Thinking hard it suddenly occurred to me that I carry my insurance documents, went for the pocket and realised I carry them in my OTHER coat. So I push the bike to the nearest house and am fortunate enough to find a home owner who was an ex-Enfield rider. To my joy he not only offered to keep the outfit in his garage but even offered me a lift home with the two sprogs!
Next day armed with a gift of a bottle of wine we recovered the bike to a mechanic who isn't afraid of Enfields AND who knows exactly what sacrifice is required to complete the dark art of setting up a sidecar. I am now waiting to hear the bad news of what caused the tick, Clank, Seize.
I am now wondering if the engine is properly blown whether to purchase another 350 engine from Pricepart, or to 'donate' the engine from my 500cc Enfield project Any ideas what I will need to change if I do? and do I need to swap the gearbox as well.
I will keep you all advised on the saga (assuming my daughter doesn't follow through with her threats!)
...You might just be "lucky" with a piston-to-barrel seizure, or a crown decapitation.... If I'm reading you correctly though, you have a 350 pulling a sidecar ?? That's asking an awful lot IMHO--- the 500 is better from that point of view.. PS}--- May I offer a little tip??}-- try not to combine the words PRICE and PART on this forum, remembering just who sponsors it ?? ..Keep us informed, eh ??