jon v8

Sorry mate,my AJS is in bits.(Will be for some time...) No way I am riding my Ariel round - its too much of a camel ! I'm hoping to have a quiet potter round at Binegar quarry with the Somerton Classic club.(On my Yam)

Nice freebie ! I've never had a TYZ,but I think they had a fairly good reputation back in the day after all the successes of the twinshock TY and the TY250R/ S air cooled mono's. I cant see why any Yam main dealer shouldn't be able to supply whatever new parts are still available,it may be worth going back and asking them to do their job and find out for your,esp if you have a decent list of parts you need.

I think ours were on a deal from Asda - one of their bags for life deals.They work well,nice and light and mostly the observers are happy to pick up all the markers and start/ends cards.Been using the same ones for about 4 years now...

Yep,its just not often you get customers willing to have the job done properly now.... I had an Alvis speed 25 hillclimb car in today,I've nearly convinced the owner to fit a pair of wideband Oxygen sensors to run dual AFR gauges so we can tune it properly - Now that will be an interesting job.

I had a chat this afternoon with someone who has some real knowledge and practical experience on this subject... The upshot of it is,when I have the new piston and a decent undamaged pair of flywheels - I'm going to have the crank dynamically balanced. It will be interesting to see what it runs like,esp when the Lucas mag gets a full rebuild.If its anything like other old motors I've rebuilt and run,the more effort and care you put in,the better the result is.

What is this "washing machine" thing ? I have a parts washer in the workshop with degreaser in it - is it something like that ?

So it looks like I'm on my own with this,two things come to mind....Either people just build engines without bothering to check or its all a big secret.With my Ajay I cant do anything until I get the new piston and can weigh it anyway,but I can work out what it was built to before. For how little extra trouble it is I cant see the point in not setting it to at least somewhere between 60 and 70 % to avoid riding a bloody jackhammer.... (Esp when you consider how much trouble the rest of it takes to build an engine that does what you want it to do.)

Welcome aboard,congrats on getting a TY. I wouldn't rush to remove the engine and split the cases,drop the bash plate and remove the clutch cover and clutch.Have a good look at the selector shaft end and linkage there,its most likely that's where the fault is.They are a tough motor,doubt there is much wrong with it.

I currently have my 350 Ajay motor in bits for a full rebuild,tis in a bit of a state after doing a lot of hard work.I also plan to rebuild my HT motor as a short stroke 500 as soon as the Ajay is back running. I want both motors to run as well as possible,be reliable and long lasting.So as much care as possible will be taken in building them... So my question is,what balance factor is best to use,Don Moreley suggests using a factor of 60%, is this still the sensible number ? Both bikes will be used for road based trials,but I'm not worried about vibration at higher engine speeds on the road,I'm happy just to pootle along between groups of sections and enjoy a smooth and docile motor in the sections. My well used copy of "Tuning for speed" has been out again !

Ken,is that a BTH electronic mag you have on there ? I've been doing some tests since I took my AJS motor apart... Yesterday I mounted the Lucas racing mag up in the lathe and ran it at 300rpm whilst watching the spark output on my scope.I was more than happy with the spark voltage and duration - until I decided to pressurize the bottom of the spark plug with compressed air.(Somewhere handy to compression pressure when running) Then the spark became unreliable,often disappearing completely.When I saw this I realised why its so hard to get a stable idle and the hydrocarbon emissions from it were so high.But the standard biker tests all passed with flying colours - plus it always started first kick etc..... Think I might be on the phone to BTH when the engine is back in one piece !

My Ty Yam just needs a push of a small button to start it....

Go to a local trial and offer to observe,they will happily explain how it works,you will learn loads and be made very welcome.... Then enter their next trial.

Good blast between sections helps to get the plug up to temp and clean itself,my experience is that a carb set rich fouls the plug which because in most classic trials they are running light/slow they just foul.No plug will stand that for too long. If you had come to our last trial you could have had a really good blast - shame you took the soft option of big game hunting.

I saw the Cheetah owner I know on saturday,he told me the frame should definately be stamped on the headstock.He couldnt remember which side,I also think they were all chromed,so sounds like you dont have the right frame at the moment.I will be seeing him again soon,so if there are any detail shots you need let me know.

Andy,I would be very cautious about even considering building a bike with any Cub engine.... Very nice to use,but very difficult to keep them together and running well.They really are a pain,Bantams are a much easier deal.

Nah,weekend off apart from the VMCC autojumble at Shepton. Good holiday ?

The article was in issue 17 of CDB,some nice colour pics of both Villiers and Cub engined bikes. James,I'm sorry my plan didnt work,but all is not lost,you may be able to pick up the frame number from original entries in the local records offices,your reg is a North London one from a quick search.As I said I'll be seeing a Cheetah owner tomorrow,I'll ask him where the frame number is on his bike and if its stamped or on a plate etc.Or failing that I can probably get hold of Bob Gollner through our club.Any chance you can post up some better pics ?

You have a PM.

Glad you enjoyed it,I think a good day out was had by all - even Jill said it was nice to have time to sit and read the paper in peace.... Mick left with a big smile and wave, I have to say if you get the chance to attend a day with Mick then do it.He is a great teacher and really interesting to chat to,but willing to go that extra mile to make sure each rider gets the help or advice they need. I just wish he would write another book...

Think I'd be a bit concerned with having such a heavy,unsecured lump behind me in a car,remember those ads where rear seat passengers didn't wear seatbelts ?

I had one of those,I'd say its a bit of a handful as a starter bike,I also dont see why you need a bike with a hydraulic clutch either...

Is there anywhere like this in the US where you could get them refinished ? http://www.pittedforks.co.uk/

Who were that then,I was going to tease you by saying you need a Jawa speedway clutch form George.... Hope the golf and big guns are good.

My 1986 Apico jacket is still in good shape apart from needing a new zip a few years back..... Still not waterproof but looks just like Steve Saunder's when he was on his red/white/blue Rtl Honda My recent black Hebo jacket IS waterproof and very light etc,hope it lasts as long.

No,sorry - it clashes with the SWCTA Dartmoor two day.Maybe next year....