small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?

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small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#3636

By Cas - Sat May 17, 2014 5:32 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 5:32 pm #3636

ALhoha from Hawaii

hi folks, I'm very new to RE and currently rebuilding a '55 RE/Woodsman. When I dismantled the engine, I expected things to be as they should. However, the head appears to have has some serious work done in the past. The rockers have been shaved down and the inlet valve is 2" rather than 1.5" Can anyone enlighten me on the valve? Has this been done post-factory or could it have come from the factory like that?
Images here:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... G_0834.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... G_0836.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... G_0838.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... G_0839.JPG

cheers and thanks in Advance

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35860

By Cas - Sat May 17, 2014 6:04 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 6:04 pm #35860

trying again to embed images...

[IMG]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... 34.JPG[IMG]

[IMG]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... 36.JPG[IMG]

[IMG]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... 38.JPG[IMG]

[IMG]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/178 ... 39.JPG[IMG]

cheers and thanks in advance

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35861

By Cas - Sat May 17, 2014 6:09 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 6:09 pm #35861

and again

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35863

By Mark M - Sat May 17, 2014 6:13 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 6:13 pm #35863

Cas, what you have there is the Scrambles head fitted to the sporting Bullets and export models like the Woodsman. The exhaust valve is standard, the inlet is actually 1 & 15/16" (from memory). It was not listed in any of the parts books though. Our Hosts do have parts for these including the big inlet valve. The rockers are also standard. What is not standard for 55 are the alloy top collars, they come from later (1959 onwards,) models but should retro fit and are probably a good idea but I would replace them on rebuild, they can wear with age and let the valve drop in, not good! I have 2 of these heads, one brand new, sitting on my shelf. REgards, Mark

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35866

By Cas - Sat May 17, 2014 7:05 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 7:05 pm #35866

this one, according to the REOC is number 21 exported as a Woodsman in January 1955. WHY, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, did you guys export the good stuff and keep the standard models for the domestic market??? I have a Matchless G12CS - same thing there - better than domestic model...

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35868

By John M - Sat May 17, 2014 8:58 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 8:58 pm #35868

Do all English heads have a number stamped under the exhaust port?

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35869

By Mark M - Sat May 17, 2014 9:10 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 9:10 pm #35869

Do the English heads have a number stamped under the exhaust port? The ones I've seen do, including 350s. I'll have a look at mine and see what it says. Usually the letters are a simple code to identify the man who did the machining but these numbers are more complex, I wonder if they mean anything? REgards, Mark

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35870

By Adrian - Sat May 17, 2014 9:56 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 9:56 pm #35870

Cas,

so why did all our best stuff get exported?

All part of the post-war export drive, the factories were still doing their best to boost the UK economy after the ravages of WWII. The US was in much better shape financially, so there were customers who could actually afford to buy the top of the range stuff every motorcyclist over here wanted but (mostly) had little prospect of being able to afford until a few years later. Once things were less tight the factories still kept looking after the important US markets, 'cos that's where the money was reckoned to be. At least many of these bikes have now been coming home over the last few years, for those of us who fancy a slightly more exotic restoration project with a bit less rust (on West Coast models, that is!).

Regards,

Adrian

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35873

By Cas - Sat May 17, 2014 10:17 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 10:17 pm #35873

thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies! To be sure, I'll keep an eye out for anything you guys might fancy that I don't get and hoard away in my shed(s). As an Australian living in USA, its like being locked in a candy store for the weekend. All these really rare and righteous bikes out here and because they are not Harleys, they are ignored or sold very cheaply. I bought my '55 Enfield for $300 US, the '61 Matchless G12CS and Lightning I have were donated to me - apparently it saved the seller from having to haul them to the scrap yard. I paid a fair price for the Cyclone Competition I have and the Victor Special, but still very cheap compared with UK prices.

But this is changing. The '71 Commando in my living room transfixes even non-enthusiasts with its absolute radiant beauty. Prices are rising...

small head on the outside, big head on the inside: can anyone help?#35874

By Robin - Sat May 17, 2014 11:02 pm

- Sat May 17, 2014 11:02 pm #35874

Hi Cas, not the Norton Commando Street Scrambler by any chance? Now that's a great looking bike, only 600 or so made. Post a pic please if it is!