Crankshaft and Covid19. Part 8

 #16/11/2020. Greetings dear readers. I bring news that there be no easing of Covid19 restrictions in Yorkshireshireshire' for a while. All good men/women and true are trapped like weasels in a trap. But nay, how is this possible oh wise one. T'is possible my serf because the chinese germ doth leap from those that do breath on fellow beings in enclosed public places. Visiting friends for a 'Fish Supper' and a pot of tea has dangerous consequences. Thou all knowledgeable UK government leaders do decree that any enjoyment be participated at home and by thi' sen !!!!       So....enjoyment by drinking, digging potatoes or even showering alone are all ok but, best of all shed life is unaffected!!!! Grind, file, even squirting old engine oil at rusty treasure all encouraged.  Your scribe Albert doth wave the Agincourt Two Finger Salute at what was 'The Modern Normal' for it could be old fashioned Vintafaking that saves the worlds population.

Full throttle shedding - I have been busy dear reader on MK2 crankshaft truing stand for the flywheels of ' Lovely Maroon' (the BSA that time forgot) I did incorporate the previous used tooling into the stand, trying to lift the professionalism to unheard of levels. The 2 x 'U' section irons that clamped the flywheels in approximate position whilst tightening the big end bearing nut were drilled at one end to accept bearings for the crank to sit and spin on. A search in the metal store (garden) found some 50mm angle to bolt them to. Perfect. Once again the continual foraging and bringing home anything with metalic content had paid dividends. You couldn't reap this type of return in a shady MPs hedge fund.

Drilling.....tapping........all Covid free.

Warning!!!!      Grinding can cause dangerous sparks.........likely-hood clothes can catch fire !!!!

Ok, sounded easy but -  After many spins and many more wollops with a my largest Thor mallet the dial gauge suggests 1thou run-out. Chuffin hell guys its a BSA not a moon rocket. A bit of crank flutter won't affect lauch speed.

 

Boy oh boy, I'm on a high!!! A vital piece of 'Lovely Maroon' has moved from scrap bin to wonderful goodness. 

"Posh" take the old 'Croft Industrial' and see if ya can't get some piping hot Pie 'n' Mushy Pies wi' a good splash of mint sauce. Oh and a dollop 'o Hammond sauce on the side.

Stay safe -  Easy to play on the wild side with 'Old Normal rules.

News flash and more Covid19.

 Greetings Lock-downers...It is 'I' Albert Crackleport. Yes, still duckin' n' divin' between the virus bugs as they jump from close contactor to close contactor.  Closely piss## up student to Lying Tory eye testing advisor. Locked down but still of sound mind and body that's me!!! ....No government quickly made up bullshi# laws gonna slow the Vintafake mojo.....Way to powerful!

To be honest, life's not changed at 'The Old Sidevalve Bar' since Covid germ No1 penetrated UK border control. Allegedly sneaking through airport security on Michael O'Learys very large wallet or Stanley Johnsons hand luggage as he returned from a trip to De Wallen in Amsterdam.

Your scribe is continuing Vintafaking shed life as always. It's my duty...

Today - 09/11/20 A special moment - a suprise that I must share with you all. (Background info-As you all know, 'Lovely Maroon' the 'BSA B31 that time forgot' is slowly being brought back to life At least 50 years have passed since the air was being sucked through the small Amal monobloc, mixing frugally with the 4 star fuel and propelling Birminghams finest along the highways and byways of Blighty.  How times have changed.)

Hey. Albert-what was the suprise? Get on with it!!!

I'm in the process of ordering new spokes. The old ones are paper thin due to tin worm and unfortunately sometimes originality has to be sacrificed for safety.

Behold, on removing the very ancient K70 tyre I found an inner-tube showing a connection to the past. A snapshot in time many moons ago.

Just imagine how the previous owner suffered as he (or she) made their way home on a freezing cold night. Over unlit moorland roads, the glow of the 6v headlight barely showing the way. Puncture after puncture..6 x in view and 2 x hidden portside. His wife complaining loudly as she shivered in her Protectore Oversuit and Everoak helmet. Her ex army cellophane desert goggles the only eye protection against the hail and snow. No wonder the owner parked the bike up, never to be ridden again. It wasn't mechnical problems that stopped 'Lovely Maroon' it was lack of rubber patches and vulcanising glue!

 

You kids ! Ya don't know ya born..!

Pour a beer Posh ! Let's drink to hero's past!

 

 

Crankshaft and Covid19. Part 7

#25/08/20 Albert here....battling on......just ! I think I've become stuck in an endless loop of time.  A bit like an 8 track stereo, it's the same old same old story playing in the national media....over and over again, . Covid19 - Brexit negotiators pontificating about whos fishing a couple of mackerel in the channel and now the BBC are banning the singing of Rule Britannia from 'Last Night at the Proms......It really is the last straw!!!!

Here's a big picture of patriotic flag waving - feel the mood....then it's on with a bit of mechanical.

 

So, the crank is in one piece, both nuts torqued up to 100lbs. Bobby Dazzler it looks too but is it true? Well not a chance of being true straight out of the box but how far out is it Albert?

Vintafaker blog readers will recognise the truing stand. It's my wheel building frame. Crank is running on outer centres. D.T.I. in position. Yep. it's got a bit of a wobble, not a million miles out but probably enough to shake several fillings loose if installed in the motor.

Adjustment needed. Spreading the flywheels with my copper soldering iron acting as a wedge......then nipping with a G clamp.

Brutal, but I'm told this is how it's done. I'm within 5 thou. I'm told (again) it needs to be nearer. Hey, don't mind being told, every day's a skool day. At this point I'm struggling, not sure I have my D.T.I. on firm enough either. Time for a re-think on the truing stand and more accurate readings required. Will keep you all posted.

Hey Posh, whilst I 'ave a think about the design of't truing stand Mk2 how's about you popping up to 'Harry Ramsden's on the Squirrel for a couple of Fish 'n' chip suppers. .....DON'T FORGET THE SCRAPS!!

Crankshaft and Covid19. Part 6

 #13/08/20 The virus still rages in the cities....if it's a really naughty city then I'm afraid it's a case of the goverment shaming the inhabitants on national T.V. and back they go into Lock-down. Tut..Tut. But no locking down of  shopping....pubbing......purchasing G5 phones or the latest marijuana oil for burning in hubbly-bubbly vape pens. In fact anything that stimilates modern economy is ok carry on but wear a mask.. Fook the virus..Here's the thing.....Vintafaking and pickling home grown onions are unaffected by this new age ecomomical necessity. The treasure of yester-year has already paid its V.A.T. and no taxes to pay on 'Alberts Famous Crunchers'..(Huge picked onions that make ya eyes sting) No shops needed for vintage goodness, this stuff is stored in sheds and garages throughout the world. The parcel courier services are deemed essensial so....buy and sell then post all day long....no germs breathed in....Hey, I'm becoming so clean livin' it's embarrasing....

Whilst I'm on the subject of deadly viruses...one swept through Yorkshireshireshire in 1645. The reason this is interesting is the fact that the population of the time made 'Plague Stones' These were situated in market squares and other public places. (Throughout U.K.) The top was hollowed out and they were filled with vinegar to wash and sterilize hands. Anyone effected was quarantined in their house. 1645 to 2020 is 375 years....Just saying, I know science is trying to rescue humanity as I write but as of today our only defence is sanitizing hand wash and quarantine.  Yep, we've come a long way...

Here's a Yorkshireshireshire Plague Stone   Google Steet Map Link

Rebuilding the crankshaft of Lovely Maroon (the BSA that time forgot) continues

Crankpin in. Big End Bearings lubed with Vaseline. Conrod slips on like a beaut. Have had various comments on my 'facebook social platform. about me using Vaseline. Hey, that stuff has eased many bottom ends and tight fitting rods over the years. Good enough for me then.

You don't believe it? Neither do I !!! 2 x halves are now 1. Not finished by a long way but heading in the right direction.(I think)

Hey Posh ! Dont matter about mending tha' pucture. Found a couple of can's in't back 'o' fridge.

Crankshaft and Covid19. Part 5

#05/08/20. Inside the germ (covid19) free enviroment of 'The Old Sidevalve Bar' assembly of the crankshaft for 'Lovely Maroon' has started to take place. I've had a Bio-Bubble-Sphere workshop for many years. Now it's paying off, life continues as normal in the Vintafaking shed. How do you keep so safe you may well ask.....?

First off - I don't encourage anybody I don't know near mi shed. I have a small approved guest list. If you've already been then ya in, if ya've never been then only by application can visitations be allowed.

Secondly -old vintage grease contains no bacteria. The goody thick tallow based lubricant can be found on the underside of old motorcycle gearboxes and on the inside of victorian mill bobbins. I thoroughly recommend using as a hand rub, it not only moisturises and sanitizes but smells heavenly too. Proper 19th Century body cologne that's stood the test of time....If it worked for Heathcliff on Top Withens and Wesley Pegden in Homfirth then it's a'right by ya Uncle Albert.

Now the technical -

Thrust washer had seen better days. I'll treat it to a new one..

1 x 'New Old Stock' BSA part No 66-0629 BSA M20 M21 B31 B33 Conrod Thrust Washer.

It was supplied still in the manufacturers wax protective coating, a touch of surface rust here and there but a buzzing on the wire wheel and soon it was looking like it was made yesterday. Or maybe it was (in India)

A set of new flat punches were also duly ordered one of which was suitable for peenin of the 3 x 'New Old Stock' rivets. BSA part No 66-0630. Rivet Flywheel washer

Proper pleased with the way that went. The soak in phosphoric and a fizz in the Ultra-sonic bath brought the flywheels up a treat..

Posh- Beer-o-clock.    Ready....Steady.....Go......Give the ignition full advance !!!......Not a second to waste.!!!!

Crankshaft and Covid19. Part 4

#20/07/20 Many years ago as a 15 year old apprentice in the printing industry I remember a dusty old broadside hanging in the composition room. Hard to believe but this was back in the day when lead type and flat bed letterpress was the norm. The broadside was the work of Beatrice Warde to illustrate her newly designed type face. Written in 1932 this particular broadside carried a singular message, that the printed word is essential in the preservation of a free society. Little did she know that nearly 90 years later the printed word and news stories via electronic medias would be the last thing a free society would trust to contain a grain of truth.
What went wrong ? Damn Huawei, damn Tic Tok, damn G5, damn all countries rutting and puffing up their chests like 6 year olds in a school playground. damn those foreign spies that are trying to nick our vaccine recipe. proper damn all this modern bullshit, forget social platforms, Let's return to more honest morals and once again start melting lead and inking stones because we definitely are at
  'The crossroads of civilisation'   
  

'Friend you stand on sacred ground'  (The Old Sidevalve Bar) Let the crankshaft continue.
Once the crankshaft halves were re-split a thorough inspection was needed. mmm, very, very slight scratching on the outer part of the bearing. The rest looked fine. This problem implied that the bearing was too tight in the rod.....or the rod was distorted???? In panic I found another rod on the 'bay of e'. Suppose it would give an answer if I pressed the bearing outer from the conrod and pressed it into the alternative one..? BUT !! Am I risking even more distortion by pressing in - out- in - out?
Wasn't going to risk it. With very very fine emery I removed/polished out the scratches. Phew...
Now, researching BSA crankpins I noticed all the rollers for sale were caged. Except my new one. Putting the old cage around the new rollers and hey-presto looks like I found an answer. It appeared to rotate more freely. (Fingers crossed on re-assembly it still does)
Why a full bearing of rollers? Is a full set to check the tolerance in manufacture and the extra rollers are surplus during fitting.? Don't know, haven't seen another like it. But then I'm no expert. I still have the receipt from purchasing it. Looks like it's an Alpha bearing with the B14 part number. One of the best money can buy and only £79 in 1995....At least a weeks wages !!!

Well, I've come this far I've now given the other parts of the crank a very critical looking at indeed. Additional 'To Dos' are change one connecting rod thrust washer, renew the oil flinger as well as the locking screws.

Posh ! Beer o'clock.
I've an idea.....take the short cut ov'r tha glen, thu' the brook an' ya'll be back in na' time wi sum gruit.

Crankshaft and Covid19. Part 3

Today - 15/07/20. Vintafaker fans will know that G4 and later G5 Matrix's have been advancing into the minds of the citizens of the world by stealth. Your Uncle Alb has been continually fighting the invisible enemy. Blogging warnings and best Vintafake practice tips all at the same time for years. You obviously heeded my warnings.. but unbeknown to the 'latest mobile phone gang' the reliance on endless gigabytes was taking over their freedom.......and minds. Not to mention their diet.. why cook real food when you can app 'Just Eat' and order calorie high take away crap that comes whizzing to your door on the back of a scooter. Eating chicken wings in a kentucky dip whilst lying belly up on the sofa watching G.O.T. boxset. What could possibly go wrong? Anyway the UK goverment were sucked in to the matrix too....Boris and the Conservative Circus were becoming puppets of China. MORE G5, MORE G5, MORE G5, they cried ...UK needs it...our children NEED it.......
Until Covid19 happened.. Who let the germs out of the bag, the germs free into the breeze? Who ate fried bat shit? We may never know but the finger has been pointed to one certain country. Just in time, pheww, Chinese company Huawei bowled out of UK 5G network before they could stitch the whole country up like a kipper....It wasn't hard to see they could have owned us in a few more years...even I saw that one.
Not only bowled out but network companies told a date to rip out the Huawei 'G' equipment as well!!!!A ray of sunshine coming out of the crisis.....even if it's put G5 back 5 years...Hey that's another ray of sunshine.

Why not rejoice and read more of the crankshaft story.

The seal was peeled.

 

The rollers tried to escape.

With the aid of a rubber band to hold all in place and a big push they were in the rod.

The rod big end was back in the flywheel halves.

But...and I mean BUT the rod was too tight, it would hardly turn....Damn...
What's happened. Gonna have to strip the crank again and inspect more...

Time for a beer, 2 flagons just to wet t'throat.....Thank goodness Posh is of to t'old off licence with urgency.
Proper need it...

Crankshaft and Covid19. Part 2

I'm back, with more of the crankshaft story. Still half locked down/in/out so plenty of time for a bit of reminiscing - Wasn't working on projects in the shed wonderful with ya buddies before social distancing was invented? No need to leap back 4 paces when others moved close. What about the health hazards of sharing spanners?. Never thought once about sticking mi finger in a 1/2 used pot of grease and wondering who's finger had been in there before.....
These could all be never to be repeated experiences.....2020 the year sharing possessions and greeting chums with a hand shake became non-friendly.....Oi you get outa my space mate!!
"What's happening to the world" I say drying a tear from mi eye. Maybe a bit more taking care of it may help.....and of course less of this eating bats and pangolins fad.

Ah yes the story - Here's what happened before hand sanitizing became lifes No1 priority.
The crankshaft holding tool I'd previously made worked a treat. Britool breaker bar with scaffold tube extension and socket released the crank pin nut that had been probably previously been tighted in 1956 at the Amour Road factory.

Could well have been one of these chaps in their matching brown boiler suits that had a hand in assembling 'Lovely Maroon' for the first time....(Little did they know the future awaiting the British Motorcycle Industry. Wonder what became of them after BSA folded?)

The flywheel half was released from it's taper with the aid of a hydraulic press.

The old bearing blinking in the sunlight and the new bearing still wearing its wax coat.

Get them flagons filled...this is going proper to plan.....
Dunna worry abaat tha lockdown 'aircut ah lass, get up 'ta offie for sum can's o Boddies !!!

 'an don't forget a couple of packs 'o' cheese 'n' onion !!!!

Crankshaft and Covid19.

Greetings. 'Alb' here. Locked down in the midst of Covid-19 crisis. Blogging from 'The Old Sidevalve Bar' lead lined bunker. Strange times for sure, there's me warning 'Vintafaker readers' that the planet is getting F##ked up with G4 phone signals and over use and BANG.. Out of nowhere a dirty virus.....Well not actually from nowhere it's from China. As of today 01/05/20 the manufacturing hub of the world is in denial that it's anything more than a natural accurance. I'm gonna start using date's more.....thus time and placing these jottings as a historical record should in the near future 'Vintafaking' or even worse mankinds physical presence becomes obliterated and all thats left is digital diaries.....floating around the universe....Pixals and Megabytes waiting for beings with a bit more common sense than to play with dangerous germs to find them........

So, the whole world is in the sh~#t at the moment. But what's your scribe Albert been doing? Let me bring you guys up to speed-
Last year I thought it would be a good idea to rebuild the crankshaft of 'Lovely Maroon' The BSA that time forgot.. The big end bearing I had purchased at least 40 years ago and it was still in its wax covering. Waiting for this very moment. What could possibly go wrong?

Correction it's now 07/07/20....2 months have passeth since I jotted the above, it was never published so hey I'll carry on where I left off. Confused? You soon will be. (But did I assume before the facts- Is the virus from China? The whole subject is too political man. The Big Cheese's probably know more but daren't say. Phuff.) 
Let's talk crankshafts again...'Lovely Maroons' crankshaft in particular.

Yes, back in the year 2019 I took the crankshaft and new bearing to a friends shed for fettling. Thought it would be a good project to do whilst sharing a beer or 2. Having read an article about stripping an BSA M20 crankshaft I thought this is do-able. Here's the link. If anything goes wrong it's Dave Plumbs fault . (He's the author.)  http://www.wdbsa.nl/crankshaft%20rebuild.htm
Preparing tools pre-journey, I made a crankshaft holding tool out of heavy duty angle iron and also made a new centre for my wheel truing stand that may or may not be useable when the crankshaft is reassembled. Anybody already having done this task may be shaking their head with disbelief and wanting to cry STOP ALBERT!!!  Whoops, too late...already started.

Gonna make me a jig to hold the crankshaft.

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

The truing stand...will it work? Who knows..!!

Ready for the trip.

Ready for a beer, more story to follow. Posh ! Are ya thirsty? 'Cos I am.