Question about yanclone, enfield and longer mainshaft

[arnaud]

Hi Folks,
my last enfield diesel had the original gearbox shaft, the engine was off centre..
When re-instating my enfield (need new engine, subframe etc..)
i would like to put the enige in the middle, needing a longer gearbox shaft, which should be supported in the (aluminium) inner primary case, which is bolted with- again- an alu adaptor to the engine..
Can anyone tell me how this is working out? is this construction strong enough?
Did someone think of an alternative construction??

[Diesel Dave]

The inner chain case should have a supporting bush (if it's the original Enfield diesel setup).

I suppose it depends how powerful your motor is, I ran a 400cc Lombardini with an unsupported shaft for 80,000 miles on a 5 speed gearbox and eventually all the bearings failed. But the shaft was so out of true the clutch would move 4mm at the periphery. The replacement 4 speeder was a little better at 2mm but still ran unsupported for 80,000 miles and is still running with the new engine.

[arnaud]

Hi, yes i understand, the bush is in the inner primary, whci is only supported at the front, via an adaptor.. won't it flex or wear out the holes for the connecting bolts?

[Diesel Dave]

Yes...

Think of it as supporting, if it was completely rigid then something else would need to give, there is always some movement in any setup,

The shafts are never completely true, the 4 speeders are better but the 5 speeds are made by cutting and welding them back together - by hand.

[arnaud]

wow..
Is the lubriation of the support bearing sufficient?
And.. DOES it work out or is it better as i had it, with the short shaft and engine out of centre..

[Diesel Dave]

Is the lubriation of the support bearing sufficient?
.

Sure - the primary case is full of oil and the chain flings it all over the place.

And.. DOES it work out or is it better as i had it, with the short shaft and engine out of centre..

From an engineering perspective a shorter shaft is better, the Robin engines are heavily offset to the right and they ride fine, you only notice when stationary.

[arnaud]

Well, i had my engine also offset, and the bike was always tilted under me, to keep balance..
Thats why i want to set it in the middle next time..
I wonder if this is also possible with the wider kubota 482 engine..

[pietenpol2002]

I swapped engines from a Yanclone to the Z482 and the Enfield 5 speed stayed put so as to remain aligned for the final drive. Because so much hangs off the "front" of the engine, the cylinders are actually to the left of center as evident by the exhaust manifold in the pic below. You can see that there's more engine to the right balanced by the weight to the left. It's a tiny engine. With the exception of the oil pan, it differs little in size from the Yanclones.

[arnaud]

Pietenpol that;s very interesting! i wonder if it will fit an enfield frame, and if the fan is still nessecary..
These engines tend to be very, very expensive, also the parts.. must be lucky to get one at a reasonable price, and hoping nothing breaks down..
in that case, an yanclone is more economical safe..?

[arnaud]

Pietenpol that;s very interesting! i wonder if it will fit an enfield frame, and if the fan is still nessecary..
These engines tend to be very, very expensive, also the parts.. must be lucky to get one at a reasonable price, and hoping nothing breaks down..
in that case, an yanclone is more economical safe..?
What the difference in driving with the kubota, in comparison with the yanclone??

[Stuart]

Sometimes this can lead to odd wear patterns on the tyres & steering that doesn't quite fall the way it should. All part of riding a diesel bike I think

[arnaud]

Stuart! good to read from you! How was the Hamm meeting this year??
Last year i was there on my jawa.. felt guilty..

[pietenpol2002]

i wonder if it will fit an enfield frame, and if the fan is still nessecary..

We know Somerset Steve did it. And coupled to the original gearbox, oil bath primary and all.

What the difference in driving with the kubota, in comparison with the yanclone??

And how I wish I could report on the differences!! But that would require a finished bike.

[Diesel Dave]

I've ridden both, or all 3 if you count the 10 & 13hp Yanclones as different.

I've also ridden Steve's Kubota albeit briefly, and it's still my favourite Enfield conversion, it's a lot quieter being water cooled and the 45 amp alternator can power anything you desire.

However the Yanclones are cheap and as they have a balancer shaft are remarkably smooth, easy to install as there is no radiator to locate.

I'm enjoying Sluggy's new motor immensely, as it has high gearing it gives the impression of covering distance with ease.

[pietenpol2002]

These engines tend to be very, very expensive

Claims to have been running when removed. Since he's accepting offers below £140.00 I might just buy it for spares. And then apologies for steering this away from the original post.

http://tinyurl.com/n3qv7s4

[gilburton]

Only problem with this one on ebay is it's a bare engine so no alternator/starter etc which would mean more cost also it's in Northern Ireland making collection difficult as it involves a ferry.
All in all It would be cheaper buying a complete cheap Aixam(£500 or less) and have all the bits to hand inc a cvt if that is what you want!!

[pietenpol2002]

Point well taken Gilburton.

[arnaud]

Can't you start a kubota twin with the kickstart like the yanclone??

and i understand they vibrate more then the yanclones??

[Diesel Dave]

Can't you start a kubota twin with the kickstart like the yanclone??

and i understand they vibrate more then the yanclones??

Yes - although there are no decompressors.

No - they don't vibrate any worse than a yanclone.

[arnaud]

Thanks for the info! i love this forum!
Maybe i will look out for a kubota bargain.. but what if a part breaks down? 400 euro for an injector is excorbitant..

[henneberg]

Hi,

Ive made a short description/consideration on Yanmar, longer mainshaft build: https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... =31&t=1957

2012 the Yanmar was replaced with a 15 HP two cylinder direct injection Ruggerini/Lombardini air cooled engine: https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... =31&t=2599

It run well in the Enfield frame, vibrations are only a bit more than the Yanmar, and makes a bit more noise

[arnaud]

Does anyone have a pic of tyhe weld-in subframe from priceparts? i am curious if it supports the enfield frame enough..

[Diesel Dave]

Having had the original Enfield mounts holding a Lombardini unit in place, and subsequently changed to Henry's system I'll guarantee it's a lot stronger.

As the sun is already setting photo's will be a tad difficult but if it's sunny tomorrow I'll see what I can do.

[arnaud]

Thanks!
especial fixation of the front frame tube is very important..
Several of the sommer- frames have collapsed..

[arnaud]

.. only the henry-subframe all the weight is transferred to the brackets of the swingarm which wedges the frame..

Another thing, i understand there are several lengths in gearbox- shafts..
What i have seen is that the 'normal'longer one is too long, making a adaptor between engine and primary case nessecary to fill the excess space..
Which length should one get whithout this problem?

[Diesel Dave]

That spacer between the engine and the primary case also carries a bearing to support the engine shaft.

A chain drive is very hard on the engine shaft so it can use the extra support (if going to the 13hp option), also I used the old cush drive clutch to remove the chain snatch.

[arnaud]

..and, so i think, the strain from the gearbox shaft is then transferred to the engine crankshaft and not to the 4 aluminium connecting holes/bolts, so must be a lot better..
But i wonder why that part has to be so, very expensive??

Is this part to be self-made in a standard inner-taurus case??

[arnaud]

Bugger, bugger & more bugger..

I ordered a yanclone, without electric starter, because i use kickstart only, but i did not know- and the seller did not tell me, despite he knew it was for a motorcycle-, that this version does not have a generator..
The seller happily proposes i should order a separate generator with very expensive shipping to my adress.
This way an engine with electric start would be a lot cheaper!

Can anyone spare a yanclone genny from a broken-down engine??

[boutje]

I have several generators in stock.

[arnaud]

I have several generators in stock.

I love you and want to have children with you..