Engine Porn,
- Thread starter Intrepid Wheelwoman
- Start date
Wow, I really like that old, beautiful engine!
Thank you for sharing, IW!
It looks like it would be very simple to make a friction drive out of it.
Still, I think an in frame mounting would be more visually appealing.
Thank you for sharing, IW!
It looks like it would be very simple to make a friction drive out of it.
Still, I think an in frame mounting would be more visually appealing.
I like engines, porn too!
I wish they'd still build motors that way, with a few modern touches, but looking like that! They'd be too worried someone might hurt there finger while admiring it working.
But with modern materials, bearings and seals, you'd sell out!
I wish they'd still build motors that way, with a few modern touches, but looking like that! They'd be too worried someone might hurt there finger while admiring it working.
But with modern materials, bearings and seals, you'd sell out!
I take the view that if someone pokes a finger into exposed valve gear and gets it pinched they'll know not to do it a second time.
When i was small I touched the muffler on a J.A.P. engine and I learned a powerful lesson that day that I never forgot. It didn't put me off working on engines when i was older, but I never laid bare skin to a hot exhaust system ever again.
When i was small I touched the muffler on a J.A.P. engine and I learned a powerful lesson that day that I never forgot. It didn't put me off working on engines when i was older, but I never laid bare skin to a hot exhaust system ever again.
When I was small I did the exact same thing on my Dad's Suzuki motorcycle.
I think I was trying to climb up onto the seat and the first thing I did was grab a hold of the muffler.
I think I was trying to climb up onto the seat and the first thing I did was grab a hold of the muffler.
That reminds me of the very early Indian engines, the first one they made where the engine and seat post were one thing. That would be a great substitute for one on a tribute build. What more do you know about the engine, was it for industrial purposes? I imagine collectors would drive the price on that one right up into the clouds.
SB
SB
Wow, very cool. A true survivor. Nice to see old engines like that still kicking around and in such good condition, too.
I love the simplicity of the rocker arms. I'd like to see inside that little jewel and look at the camshaft.
The mechanics reminds me of an antique Singer sewing machine we have. The treddle and flywheel are similar to the simple but effective design of that engine. The sewing machine was made in 1921. Beautiful work. Where did the elegance go in mechanical things?
Thanks for sharing IW.
Tom
The mechanics reminds me of an antique Singer sewing machine we have. The treddle and flywheel are similar to the simple but effective design of that engine. The sewing machine was made in 1921. Beautiful work. Where did the elegance go in mechanical things?
Thanks for sharing IW.
Tom
Last edited:
Tom said,
"Where did the elegance go in mechanical things?"
So many things made in the early 20th century were beautiful where now they are ugly. Even hand tools were often pleasing to the eye and hand. And they were made to last. I have a special fondness for things made in the art nouveau period from the 1880's to WWI and the art deco period after WWI. Such beautiful lines were found in the most commonly manufactured items. I'm not too sure just what happened to dim the shine of commercial design, but for the most part dim it is.
SB
"Where did the elegance go in mechanical things?"
So many things made in the early 20th century were beautiful where now they are ugly. Even hand tools were often pleasing to the eye and hand. And they were made to last. I have a special fondness for things made in the art nouveau period from the 1880's to WWI and the art deco period after WWI. Such beautiful lines were found in the most commonly manufactured items. I'm not too sure just what happened to dim the shine of commercial design, but for the most part dim it is.
SB
Marvelous engine. Wonder what it would cost to make them today because I would imagine that there would be a market for them if they were reproduced.
Steve.
Steve.
With no lube holes in the rockers, they must have been adjusted fairly often.
How I would love to have an engine like that. I found a similar one for sale but it was pickup only. Damm, it had to be on the other coast. I would even like to see an early 2 cycle that was similar reproduced.
I was kinda wondering why NGK doesn't make spark plugs for that engine?
I see that Champion does though.
I see that Champion does though.
When I was small (around 1961) I burned my leg on my Dad's Cushman's chrome exhaust pipe.......never forgot that. My Dad had a 1966 Suzuki 120 bearcat with a similar chrome exhaust pipe......never touched that pipe when or after the engine was running. Lesson learned.
I love the simplicity of these old engines and wonder why they arent made today. You'd think something made damn near a centruy ago would be easy to reproduce with modern day tools. I bet most of us have better tooling and equipment in our garage than that factory could ever dream of. Of course you can have a machinist pump one out but it'd be cheaper to buy a fully functional original. Hmmm guess I'll have to start mining my back yard for some steel, get a foundry fired up, etc etc.
To answer the question, was it industrial, the answer is on the cases, a Stafford motor scooter engine. Details here:
http://www.oldbike.eu/wordpress/?page_id=1099
http://www.oldbike.eu/wordpress/?page_id=1099
Thanks, Ludwig.
I had no idea that motor scooters went that far back I think of them as a 1940's 1950's thing. 142CCs would be just about right for a light motorcycle / motored bicycle.
SB
Think how much more horse power a 142cc engine makes today, in comparison to this beauty. If remade with a few minor upgrades, our present technology, and superior materials, it would be a great power source for many motorized hobbies.
