Forum

[Bullet Whisperer]

Just seen on the Ace Performance Bullets site. As far as I know, Alpha make the mainshafts for the Hitchcocks cranks, rather than them being ordinary Indian factory items? Quote ...
'Hitchcocks long stroke flywheels are NOT forged steel, they are turned from hot-formed Bar-stock. Major difference.

(Does anyone know what grade of steel they use? Is it optimal, or simply the cheapest available, any one seen a copy of the Test Certs for the Billet???)

(Their Flywheels do come with a copy of the test cert, doesn't it?)

The limiting factor on the H made crankshafts are the REI made Main & Timing side shafts that they utilise, for better or worse: the drive side shafts are not always True, nor are the woodruff key locations accurate.

(One is not going to need a three way 3 degree timing pinion if you randomly adjust your cams 18 degrees...)

Compression varies when displacement changes in relation to the combustion chamber capacity, and vice versa, NOT simply from a different Stroke. If you do not know what your engines actual combustion chamber capacity is, attempts to optimally Tune the bike is pissing into the wind.

(Makes little difference if you randomly set the cams so that volumetric efficiency is bleed-off like a stuck pig) '

[Bullet Whisperer]

I posted the above because it appears to suggest the Hitchcocks cranks are of poor quality - I for one know they are anything but. Also, I am unable to post comments on that site, I have even wanted to reply to remarks obviously aimed at myself about retarding inlet cams etc, but have been unable to. I have seen some rather troll like remarks there from time to time, this seems to be one that perhaps needs to be seen more widely and especially by Mr H himself. Regards, Paul.

[Martin C]

I entirely agree that the Hitchcocks long-stroke crank is good quality: after several years, and repeated drag-strip use in the UK and Denmark, plus participation in UK Speed Week 2016 at Elvington, my road bike's 612cc engine is still going strong!

[Bullet Whisperer]

Incidentally, I am pretty sure I know who 'George' is, as another name came up when I clicked on this name on that site ...

[Felix]

I'm surprised such an otherwise civil site allows this troll to attack people.

[Tim NZ]

Allow me to clarify for you, Paul:


The thread you refer to on Aces' site goes back over the last 2+ years, so you may have better understood what had preceded if you had gone back at least that far?




A Chap in northern India bought a 612 race kit 2+ years ago, and has had significant ongoing problems getting the bike to run. (He does not do the work himself, but relies on his 'mechanic' to sort things) He lives in the mountains and frequently rides at over 3000 meters, and has associated issues with poor fuel and low oxygen at altitude.


ie detonation and excessive compression. In other words H's 612 race kit that was optimised for sea level operation and at higher rpm, is not working for him at low rpm and high altitude, and he has to reconfigure the engine to run...


So, after 2+ years of his trying sundry (3?) electronic ignition kits, several different carbs, a variety of different mufflers. He has packed out the barrel by 5mm to reduce compression as far as he physically can, and still be able to fit the inlet rocker cover. Then he wanted to further reduce compression, by retarding the inlet cam by one tooth. (To reduce cam efficiency and breathing) Not the Stock low duration inlet cam, but H's long duration race item!


An aside here; he keeps referring to H long stroke crank shaft as being 'Forged' when in fact the fly wheels are turned from mild steel billet and only the con-rod is forged.


FYI Alpha only make the crank pin for H, not the main or timing shafts, least ways that was the case up to recently?




Every one else on the Ace forum (including Tom) who had previously been offering him advise, have long since stopped replying (ignoring?) to the chaps questions...


He has a lack of a fundamental knowledge of mechanics, and in my opinion should never have bought the 612 kit: nearly all his riding at low speed and low rpm


The 'cut & paste' that you have posted is the outcome of 2 years of ignored or misinterpreted advice; from Tom, myself, and many other individuals patiently attempting to help the bloke, only for the 'thread' to end up back where it started and him repeating the mistakes of 2 years ago.


On Aces site at the present time, the same chap is quoting the 'Race Tech' suspension bible, seeking comment on, if, he fits Ikon progressive fork springs, (he has already tried H's similar springs and discarded them as useless) and over-fill the forks with oil, will it improve the mid-stroke dampening...

[Hitchcocks Motorcycles]

Just to clarify a few incorrect points regarding our performance crankshafts.


The entire series of our replacement crankshafts and flywheels since their introduction in the year 2000 have been manufactured solely by Alpha Bearings in the UK.


The complete assembly; con rod, crankpin, shafts and flywheel discs with the exception of the bearing cage are all manufactured in England.


The Alpha design features a high chrome alloy steel flywheel material which is case hardened to a specification developed specifically for the Enfield engines. The depth of case and core hardness values being tightly controlled to ensure the significant interference fits of shafts and crankpin is achieved.


The crankpin and main shaft holes of all these flywheels are jig ground to the highest tolerances and are distinct from more hobbyist alternatives that might be available with either bored, jig bored or even ground holes. Jig ground assemblies offer the best alignment and truth.


Allan Hitchcock

[Bullet Whisperer]

Perhaps now would be a good time for 'George' to set the record straight about the Hitchcock's cranks on the Ace site?