Whisker's New Build

[Dan J]

I look forward to pictures. Stu, any chance Whiskers could be persuaded to come to Hamm?

[Stuart]

I don't think so Dan - but I'll ask if I get the opportunity

[Rhynri]

Very Cool! Looks a beauty!

[Stuart]

Here are some shots supplied by Ian who made it to the Bulldog Bash. Obviously the bike isn't finished & was just there for the run up the strip. I've no idea if this happened as yet.

[coachgeo]

what a beast. Guess the rider will need asbestos lined pants on the exhaust leg

[Stuart]

Whiskers phoned earlier with an update. He had clutch problems at The Bulldog and didn't get to take it up the strip. The bike got quite a bit of attention I'm told as it was parked near the entrance to the exhibition tent.
Whiskers says they are looking at perhaps going the servo route for a decent clutch action as a hand operated clutch is not very suitable for such a bike.
He further said that it's ok to ride and on pull away has the same sideways shudder that you might get on an old Beemer R65.
I will try & get some other shots soon if I can.

[Sphere]

The first few pics had me worried because of the size of the tank and all the pics make me wonder about the front end, it looks kinda flimsy for such a big bike?

[Mouse]

I was wondering how he was going to solve the heavy car clutch spring problem.

[Stuart]

Spent the whole day in the company of Whiskers & Brian today as they played with a mock up of the clutch servo. Expect things to change!

[Stuart]

Here's a few more arty shots.

[Stuart]

And more....

[alexanderfoti]

Ohh very nice! How is the drive, via the clutch to a welded diff? Is there no gearbox then

[Stuart]

No gearbox just a saw bench bevel box.

[Stuart]

Saw Whiskers last night after he came along to a gig my brother was playing at. They are still working on various clutch ideas.
Rather smallish chain to rear wheel was only put on as tempory measure to move it at Bulldog Bash.

[Rhynri]

Does that tap on the rear house the license plate light then?

[Stuart]

Yes, the bulb is in the body of the tap, not the spout.

[Rhynri]

Love it! It's got kind of a steampunk vibe going on. Big beefy monster of a bike too.

[caddyman]

Hi, not posted for ages but this bike is the nuts, very original, very very cool and i want one for crimbo

[Stuart]

Saw Whiskers at Brightona today & asked him is they had come up with anything to operate the clutch. He said yes - but it was a secret only to be unveiled at the next Big Knock 1st June 2013. And the bike may or may not be power coated by then. It's a big beast to simply pull apart!
Clutch servo idea not really feasible with no vacuum there prior to starting.

[Stuart]

Ok! I've just heard that The Sprocket (as the bike is called) is now road legal in the UK
Hats off to Whiskers for attending various face to face meetings etc to finally get his machine on the road

A place that had to be visited in person to push things through..

[alexanderfoti]

Looks epic!

[Stuart]

He is understandably over the moon that it's finally completed. If the earth starts shaking it might just be The Sprocket is nearby!

[Mouse]

Awesome!!

[Stuart]

All legal docs are sorted now. Was that an earthquake? No, it was The Sprocket going by!

[Stuart]

In case you missed them, a few shots from last years rally.

[Blunt Eversmoke]

How is the low-speed performance with just the clutch?

A little idea for a low-gear to use with "Mouse special" setups such as this: Drive one servo steering pump off the engine and connect it to a second servo pump driving either the rear or the front wheel, activated by an appropriate switch. May eliminate the need to grind the clutch and thus excessive clutch wear during low-speed driving.

[Stuart]

I will hopefully be attending a shakedown run Monday morning so we'll see how it goes. They put it quite a bit of thought to the clutch mechanism & tried a few different ways before settling on the finished article.

[Mouse]

I will hopefully be attending a shakedown run Monday morning so we'll see how it goes.

I shall expect a full report on my desk by dusk

They put it quite a bit of thought to the clutch mechanism & tried a few different ways before settling on the finished article.

I shall be paying very careful attention to the clutch mechanism. My old 1900 single speed is being currently rebuilt. The clutch / stub shaft setup was the secondary downfall to the bike after it threw a con rod. I am having a few ideas of my own that I'll uncover when they get past the bright ideas stage which will hopefully be before the Big Knock.

.....the need to grind the clutch and thus excessive clutch wear during low-speed driving.

I did about 1500 miles on my single speed diesel and after all that there was no apparent clutch wear dispite having to feather it somewhat to pull away. Consider the weight of the bike compared to a loaded car or in whiskers case a van and the comparative demand on a slipping clutch.
the only time I overheated the clutch was when I got stuck axle deep in mud.

[Stuart]

I was out riding with the Sprocket today

[Stuart]

Update on The Sprocket:
Here is the Sprocket update using the 1-2-1 bevel box. tick over speed down to 10 mph, the ability to pull away on a hill and top speed of 60 mph once you hit 3/4 throttle. it is now a sexy piece of kit. Please feel free to post this on dieselbike
Ps: Engine braking is awesome!