Back from Hamm

[oldbmw]

This years Hamm event seemed a bit muted compared to last year. There was not much evidence of the commercial builders, with only Diesel weasel having a stand. Sommer bikes were well represented by their individual owners. There was no sign of Neanderthal or EVA and I am beginning to think maybe these only exist in PhotoShop.
It was made up for by some very fine owner builds. One a three cylinder turbo Daihatsu was of such a quality you would think it had come straight from the factory of a major manufacturer. The bell housing had been carved from a solid block of aluminium and was a work of art. All of the bike combined both good engineering and a superb level of fit and finish. There was also a selection of bikes using the punsen engine. To me the Enfield frame is just a bit too small and light for this engine, but the Harley framed bikes looked the business, This frame suits that engine, in weight, strength and size. I saw one punsen engined bike together with a broken crankshaft. Dave thinks the timing is too far advanced for European diesel and causes too much knocking. I am sure this is at least part of the problem but I also think they made a bad call when they designed it. Basically they used all the parts from the single to make the twin. This includes the conrods. In the single the crankpin was fine, but by making the crankpin twice as long but keeping the original diametre it is now spindly. The problem is with the acceleration and deceleration on power and compression strokes plus the knocking due to early timing causes the crankpin to flex, The break I saw was a typically work hardened shear and looked completely crystalline. Doubling the length of the crankpin trebles the leverage on it against the conrods and flywheels, which incidentally are welded to the crankshaft. There was a rumour going around that Beckedorf had made five such bikes and three ended up with broken crankshafts. This may well just have been unsubstantiated rumour put about by people with broken crankshafts.

I drove home in one go yesterday as I had had a minor problem with my 20 year old car and made better progress than expected after a fuel leak had been temporarily fixed. Another 700+ miles on the clock . For anyone transitting Rouen hoping to go to Le Mans, virtually all the signs for Le Mans have been removed. Follow the signs for Caen (blue peage signs) along the A13. There is then the RN turnoff just before the A28 Peage to le Mans. You can use the A13 peage for free until the RN turn off for Lemans and Alencon.

[smokyjoe]

There's no center bearing on the crank? Sheesh! I was going to try to get one of these, but now I think I'll look for something else.

[Diesel Dave]

Good to see you again sir and glad you made it home OK.

I'm determined to get more time off next year and do a mini tour, take the Calais ferry rather than the Harwich one and spend a few days mooching around.

Dave

[Stuart]

Yeah, good to see everyone at Hamm again and good to catch up on the gossip. These gatherings really are to place to exchange info on engines and get the lowdown on what's been happening.
We made it back without a hitch, my clutch mod proving to be ok Arrived home late Wednesday after getting off the Newhaven boat at 21.30ish.

I've just posted a report of the Rally over on the main website.

BTW, these engines were recommended over the Punsuns at the rally: http://www.kipor.com/pro5.asp?type_id=249
I've no idea how reliable they are but they have Honda pedigree I think.

[oldbmw]

There's no center bearing on the crank? Sheesh! I was going to try to get one of these, but now I think I'll look for something else.

Very rarely will you find a V twin with a centre bearing. Their whole 'raison d'etre' is to hang two cylinders onto a single cylinder crank, cheapness of construction outweighing uneven firing.

[oldbmw]

Good to see you again sir and glad you made it home OK.

I'm determined to get more time off next year and do a mini tour, take the Calais ferry rather than the Harwich one and spend a few days mooching around.

Dave

Next year I intend visiting Colditz and Peenemunde. I may include Hamm in that trip. I was glad i made it to teh war memorials this year, even though I had to cut my visit short due to a fuel leak

[Dan J]

>I'm determined to get more time off next year and do a mini tour

I reckon I'd be up for that as well Dave - maybe two nights at Hamm and a few days either side exploring the area there and back? One to discuss either over a pint...

[Diesel Dave]

After returning from Hamm with the Enfield 5 speeder decidedly worse for wear it was time for some remedial activities.

As I had a spare 4 speeder in the garage complete with extended shaft to fit the diesel I thought it would be easier to swap this for the sickly 5 speeder; and then take my time over the 5 speeder rebuild.

Nice straightforward plan.

Engine out, gearbox out, straightforward enough as I have a nice little home made wooden stand for the motor to sit on.

Now my centre stand has been somewhat lacking in ability to remain in the 'up' position as it carries just a single spring rather than the twin springs of tha later model Enfields. I have a new stand and engine plates so it appeared timely to swap the whole lot over when the engine was out of the frame - that's when the problems started.

The centre stand came off easy enough but the rear stud with the two part sleeve between the engine plates was seized solid - it's only been in place for 3 years! - Out came the grinder and cut it off.

The new plates were fitted along with the support studs but the small front one that mounts throught the gearbox to engine mounting would not play ball. Two hours later and mucho swearing and it's done - phew.

Then find I don't have a 17t 4 speeder gearbox sprocket so can only fit the 18t - needs a new chain to fit too. then the new primary chain and cush drive clutch are very tight to fit and take ages to get in place.

Engine and gearbox fitted along with new primary chain and clutch (after 72k they were both knackered) and it's all back together in the fading evening light - just some last bits to fit on the Sunday morning.

So Sunday I arise with eager anticipation and complete the finishing works along with checking the tightness off all the mounting bolts and wheel old Sluggy out onto the road - started first time.

Test ride and the clutch is heavy and the gear shift close to impossible but hey! Sluggy's roadworthy once more. The close ratio gearset does a fine job of closing up the huge gap between 3 & 4 on the Enfield box but it makes first very tall indeed.

So if your ever wondering if it's possible to rebuild an Enfield in a single day the answer is ....possibly but it would be better with 2 people.

To celebrate I take a trip to the coast with just the tool roll in the tank bag for security and the missus on the back for gentle reminders about 'funny noises'.

Well, we made it both there and back and the only slight misshap was the overly long throttle cable getting frayed at the end and almost running out of fuel as I hadn't filled up since Germany.

Needless to say the bike is overgeared and the new box is robbing a lot of power so I'll be glad when the 5 speeder is repaired and back in place.

At least I can hold my head up high at this weekends Southend breakfast gathering and turn up on the diesel.

Cheers for a bit
Dave

[Fiddler]

Nice one Dave, glad you got it sorted.

Just to add to the back from Hamm tales of woe. I recieved a letter today from Thames Valley Police. Got a speeding ticket the day before we left whilst I was out putting a few miles on the bike.
Not sure whether to feel proud or ashamed
Im gutted because they have changed the rules and I cant request the evidence photo without going to court.
Would have made a funny trophy, ironic really, years spent riding like a pratt on bits of kit I can barely handle and a clean licence. Just as I thought Id chilled out a bit and Im doffing about on a pressure washer being respectable and I get a nick

[Cockney Bob]

They cant change the law you have a thing called disclosure and before you go to court have the right to see any evidence against you.
They just rely on people paying up and not arguing.
Point out to them that if they refuse to supply evidence they will lose in court.
In fact if you tell the judge on the day they will throw te case out.
Bob

[taildraggin]

There are some vids of Hamm 2008 posted on youtube. The sportster may be trashing itself at the time, but it looked terrific riding off.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... &aq=-1&oq=