180 Degree Head turning Question?

[vintage97302]

Hello,

Attached is a picture from my bike that a friend is building... In the picture, see how the spark plug is very, very close to that straight bar tube that he added, the problem is...I would have to take off the engine to remove the plug once it is seated in position...My question is this: Is it possible, to turn the head 180 degrees and switch the carb and exhaust so that the plug faces more forward?

It looks like it can...but unsure. If not, what would I have to do to make it work, or is it too much of a hassle and should I just leave it alone?

Thanks - Eric

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

You don't need to turn the whole jug... just the head. (Just use a new head gasket when you do.)

 

[vintage97302]

You don't need to turn the whole jug... just the head. (Just use a new head gasket when you do.)

Great! Thank you...that is it??? Just a new head gasket??? Awesome!! Thanks again.

 

[BarelyAWake]

Venice is defo right, tho ifn yer lucky you'll not need a new gasket - that's the one gasket that's pretty good lol... but while we're on the topic I thought ya might find this kinda interestin' http://motorbicycling.com/f38/backwards-engine-experiment-1939-colson-13458.html

 

[vintage97302]

Venice is defo right, tho ifn yer lucky you'll not need a new gasket - that's the one gasket that's pretty good lol... but while we're on the topic I thought ya might find this kinda interestin' http://motorbicycling.com/f38/backwards-engine-experiment-1939-colson-13458.html

Thanks for the link to that backwards engine...cool!

-Eric

 

[bairdco]

hey, i recognize that bike!

you shouldn't need to replace the head gasket if you're just turning the head around. the gasket should stay put on the studs.

you don't even have to remove the plug (unless it's in the way.) just remove the four nuts, pull the head off, spin it around and tighten the nuts back up EVENLY. fingertight them first, then snug, then tighten a litlle at a time, in a 4 cross pattern, meaning tighten one, then go diagonal to the otherside, then straight across, then diagonal, then back across and start over.

a torque wrench is ideal, but i don't use one. but i've got a pretty good "feel" when it comes to tightening stuff.

bottom line, is make sure they're tightened down evenly.

after the first ride, when the engine's still warm, tighten them a tiny bit more. if they don't want to move, don't force them.

 

[vintage97302]

Thanks bairdco for the advice. I greatly appreciate it. How do you recognize the bike??

 

[LS614]

Yeah, you can go ahead and do it. If this were a high performance two stroke this would be a bad move, but on a low performance engine like this, go ahead

 

[bairdco]

i meant the bike Barely Awake linked you to, the backwards motor experiment. that one's mine...

 

[cobrafreak]

I've got my head on turned 90 degrees to the right side of the bike. Works great.

 

[LS614]

Just remember, it's easier to ride with your head on straight

 

[vintage97302]

Just remember, it's easier to ride with your head on straight

Nice one!!! Thanks for reaffirming what I thought we could do!!!

 

[LS614]

You know, you crash into less stuff if your head isn't on the wrong way. As for the actual head, you can turn it any way you please, that's no problem at all, the engine will run in any configuration

 

[Goat Herder]

Just don't try to bolt it on upside down.

 

[LS614]

That's why my engine is spraying oil everywhere and I can see the spark going

 

[Goat Herder]

Your china motor is just trying to mark its territory

 

[LS614]

Wait, so the cooling fins face upward, right?

 

[Goat Herder]

Sure......

 

[LS614]

Oh dear, we trashed this thread, sorry

 

[vintage97302]

Oh dear, we trashed this thread, sorry

It is all good...I got what I needed...jest away!! I enjoyed the banter.