Invested in a new BTH electronic magneto in place of Lucas points unit.

Discovered that the original sprocket from the points unit is too close to the mag face and doesn't align with the drive sprocket.

 

 

 

This is the solution. You need a magneto sprocket from a 1948-1958 model ( Norton ES2 or Model 50) before they changed to alternators and points. Seems obvious now but took a while to find that out- thanks to Mike Pemberton !

 

My own made oil tank seems to be standing up after some years but still look out for a good alloy one.

 

Planning to move before end of season to Methanol ....have bought a batch and have a carb kit to allow the free flow. Have been experimenting with Methyl Benzene 10% in petrol but results remain to be seen.

 

The standard Norton pushrod has a very small cut- away at the top : lower photo: and most owners have to grind down a spanner to fit it . Even then it is likely to foul another spanner on the  actual screwed-in tappet which actuates the rocker. The best solution is to grind down about half as much again : top photo.

 

These cheap Chinese made hydraulic 12 Ton presses are ideal for lots of fitting jobs. Especially flywheel main shafts where it is unlikely to be bigger than about one inch diameter. They are made cheaper than I could possibly build one for myself.

 

Plasticine is ideal for making a model of the combustion chamber. It is often different in positive form than you imagine from the negative concave shape.

 

Filing a keyway in hard steel is not easy- I found a carbide file was the only way.

 

 

 

 

 

Big lump on the piston tends to mask the spark plug...in fact I am having to use on the flat surface discharge types because things are so tight the piston suffers from spark erosion

 

Flywheel flank is relieved at the main bearings

 

just bought a 50ml graduated cylinder to accurately measure the combustion chamber



 

Down in Cumbria at the weekend - bike running better but running out of power half way down strip.

 

watching for the stage light to change

 

 

 

six Ford GT 40's turned up - quite a treat

 

this one seems to have a special engine cowling

 

still using Enterprise vans

 

two of the GT 40's returning to the pits

 

 

 

 

 

Working on a new engine which I hope will be strong enough in the bottom end to cope with

 a very high compression ratio- enough to burn methanol.