Hairy Bikers and Other Petrol Heads

alastairq

alastairq

Western Thunderer
Having 'used in anger,' the Setright machine [as an 'OPO' bus driver, I admit to being a tad nostalgic about it. Operable using one hand, the technique involving a flick of the thumb & fingers of [my] left hand.
I still have nightmares....

I first came across LJK Setright as a journalist in my teenage years...I had a 'subscription' to the US car mag, 'Road & Track'...which often had quite 'european' articles. [Subscriptions arrived when distant rellies demanded what a 13 year old wanted for Christmas? Early 1960's]

I enjoyed reading of his exploits....[the episode when he fitted a Porsche engine into a VW beetle especially, confounding the local police with it.]

As for mockery of the Reliant 3 wheeler?
Take a look at the past records of entries into the Motorcycling Club's three long distance classic reliability trials?
There is currently a seriously modified one in action.....The abilities of which would shame any Range Rover [and probably does, if my experience of Range Rovers is anything to go by?} {George Osborn, builder, if anyone know him? seriously good engineer...]
 
N

New Haven Neil

Active Member
Ah, NGK Sparkright - I used to read his column in 'Bike' too, and in the day thought him quite wonderful. Re-reading them now hints he had a vivid imagination of his own achievements? Was he actually real?

Edit: Yes, apparently! A Jewish friend who happens to be visiting Mrs H this evening filled me in on some of lesser known background - said friend is a scholar of the faith although not born into it, has embraced it. Fascinating ten minutes - isn't life weird sometimes.
 
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Giles

Giles

Western Thunderer
There was a company who sold plans enabling you to make a 2+2 kids Jeep from 12mm MDF, which you could then fit with Sinclair C5 motor(s). My brother wanted one for his 5 year old daughter (very early '90's). I built the body, passed it over, and he then outfitted it with a decent front axle, rear axle and brakes. It was brilliant little thing! His daughter is approaching 40 now, and still has it. She's also a Passed Fireman on the Bluebell!
 
simond

simond

Western Thunderer
that's 'cos you haven't tried one!

I had the pleasure of playing with an eFreeride when I visited the KTM factory (ha, when KTM was an Austrian Bike maker that wasn't 3 billion dollars in the red) some years back.

WHAT A HOOT!

the host put it on "mild" mode and when I'd had a few minutes of that, and he worked out that I could ride a bike, he switched it to "bonkers" mode, saying "you can wheelie it now" to which I replied - "I'm wearing office clothes and shoes, and a borrowed helmet and gloves that have seen better days - perhaps not..." but I repeat WHAT A HOOT!!!!
 
Eastsidepilot

Eastsidepilot

Western Thunderer
Boyblunder said:
Colin there is a simple solution to the lovely gentleman's AdBlue dilemma, get an electric bike/car/truck.
:)
Click to expand...
:)) :))....fortunately I'm not an Adblue user and I'm not convinced that it works either.
But I'm happy to keep burning oil :D, I fill the tank and can get 450 -550 miles out of it at approx. £150
 
B

Bigjohn

Western Thunderer
Can I join in with my twin. KTOR JAP ex brought superior, two speeder [fast and very fast) 1928 vintage but not reg. til 1934. ‘‘Twas medium John in those days.

I also have a 650 Yamaha………but that’s a clarinet……………
 

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Osgood

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Adblue - well now:

It seems that the sulphur content of red diesel (35 sec gas oil, use in UK now restricted to agricultural, heating, marine and a few other exempt activities - no idea about rest of world but imagine it is still used in almost everything) has now increased to the point at which the Adblue's SCR (selective catalytic reduction system, the part that reduces NOx) stops working.
Red is essentially the same as white diesel but it is possible the high sulphur oil (crude varies a lot in sulphur content) is being directed away from the road diesel supply chain, which then increases the proportion of sulphur in red diesel.

When I was using red diesel in off-highway stuff I always made sure to source fuel with no bio crap in order to have a relatively easy life - they initially put bio in both road and red diesel with disastrous results for trucks (and for farmers mainly combines that stood around for 10 months) - the fishing boats would never accept it as engine reliability is crucial for safety at sea.
That soon changed - but I'm not sure how much, if any, biofuel there is in road diesel these days.

So, a big problem with fuel quality / environment looming.

Not just the effects on older vehicle fuel systems of ethanol in petrol that has been occupying an awful lot of my time recently when I should be putting some fresh spring growth on a load of 7mm trees.
:rant::rant::rant::headbang:Smiley digging copy.gif
 
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alastairq

alastairq

Western Thunderer
Not just the effects on older vehicle fuel systems of ethanol in petrol
Click to expand...

Aside from the fact that, when it comes to fuel systems on older vehicles, too much of the , ''out of sight, out of mind'' attitude rears its ugly head, ethanol content of the ''up to 10%'' [but not absolutely guaranteed to be as much as 10%]...actually can have a beneficial effect on the running of older designs of engine.
Of course, we forget that ethanol in petrol has been included, and around, for many decades indeed.
But that fact doesn't particularly suit the mass media, who just lurve to stir things up with the non cognoscenti!

I give you, Cleveland Discol, as but just one example that springs to mind?

For more accurate, scientifically established proof, I suggest those with older designs of engine try reading Paul Ireland's book,

Classic Engines, Modern Fuel. The Problems, the Solutions​

Classic Engines, Modern Fuel

Classic Engines, Modern Fuel - the website that supports the book. It helps classic vehicle owners understand the problems associated with modern petrol
classicenginesmodernfuel.org.uk classicenginesmodernfuel.org.uk


There are more ''harmful'' ingredients in modern petrol than mere ethanol...
 
Osgood

Osgood

Western Thunderer
It's not the engine that's the problem, Alastair - and so long as you keep fresh fuel in the system by regular use everything seems fine.
It's the havoc that the chemistry of the modern fuel, and the water contained within the bio element, wreaks on the fuel system, from anything steel (e.g. tank) to brass fittings (e.g. lift pump non-return valves) to aluminium castings (carb) and much more.
Modern fuel also goes off within months, go back a few years and even 3 year old petrol might still get you fired up.
Now you'll be lucky to get through a winter of non-use without getting all fired up in another sense when it comes to attempting a start.
I'm starting on a regime of additive that is claimed to counter the effects of the ethanol - even so lining new steel tanks with something like POR-15 is almost a necessity now.
Fingers crossed.....
 
Stephen Freeman

Stephen Freeman

Western Thunderer
Well our car complains if it doesn't have enoough adblue, so no choice. As for petrol, the only time I use it is for 2 stroke motors and yes it does off even if not mixed.
 
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