Cylinder Head Removal

Beginning to disassemble the engine. A previous owner had converted the motor to a single carb with the intake manifold appearing that it could have been fabricated by the builder. This manifold is held on by 3 Allen screws. What is interesting is that in both the shop manual and the parts exploded view, 4 bolt holes are shown attaching the intake manifolds for dual carbs. Don't know if 3 was a production variation or if the builder filled the inner pair and then drilled and tapped a single center bolt.

The Allen bolts retaining the manifold easily came out, though the center one required that I cut down an Allen wrench, ruining 3 hack saw blades in the process.

The bolts and nuts securing the cylinder head came off easy enough, except #1 in the tightening sequence. In the picture below, the bolt head on the right.

 

 Most of the fasteners showed evidence that lock-tight or similar was used on assembly and I suspect for #1 that this is also the case. Due to the location it is difficult to get heat on to the position in the cylinder where the bolt is threaded. I'm more afraid of stripping the bolt head than breaking it off. I'll try it again tomorrow with more heat and a hand impact tool, but I need to get the proper size impact socket.

Jim

Progress

The revival had stalled a combination of household projects, the winter of 2015 and frankly waning interest. Prior to the project coming to a halt, I'd built a bench upon which to set the bike, so I could work on it from a comfortable standing height. 

What got me enthused about the revival once again was a dollop of guilt, the chance to view the successfully completed projects of others and the rediscovery of the joy of bombing around on a roadster.

For a week I had the use of an RnineT, a wonderful, smile inducing machine and began thinking, I'd like to have one. But knowing that permission wouldn't be forth coming and forgiveness doubtful, I returned to the revival to scratch my roadster itch.

Today's project was to remove the cylinder head and begin the process of determining the condition of the engine. But immediately a problem appeared. Trixie had been converted from twin carbs to a single Amal with a custom fabricated intake manual, held on by 3 Allen screws. Getting the middle one out will require cutting down an Allen key to fit under the arch.

Difficult to reach Allen screw

 A previous owner had modified the frame in the manner of a Feather Bed Frame by removing the center tube and replacing it with a pair of frame members that runs along the base of the tank and a steering head reinforcement bar that also provides a mounting point for the coils.

Modified frame section with fabricated steering head reinforcement.

Also part of the frame modification was the inclusion of a third Isolator mount in place of the Head Steady. This is mounted to the reinforcement bar and mounted to the cylinder head using the same mounting points as the Head Steady.

Added Isolator

Back at it

The riding season is over, the BMW is put away, the leaves are raked and the other household projects are under control. It's back to Dissembling Trixie.

Small Progress

After several weeks of looking at Trixie in the garage, I finally had a couple of hours to continue the disassembly. The good news is that the spring service is complete in the Dakar and I've gotten out for a couple of day rides.

Joinery

The other day I had a couple of hours and continued the dismantling of the Norton. Most of this involved removal of the electrical, so much marking of wires and note taking transpired. Often when I come across a vehicle of interest or a piece of furniture, my eyes are drawn to how it is joined together. If it is furniture, are the drawers dove tailed, hand or machine cut. How are the corners of the cases joined, etc.

For restored automobiles, it is how do the panels fit, are they level relative to the others and are the gaps uniform. On motorcycles, it is the welds of the frame. Up till now I've mostly looked at Trixie from the point of view of what the bike needed and what I want the finished product to be, but as I spend more time with the bike, I'm seeing and learning more about it.

I'm impressed by the quality of the welds where the frame was modified, the builder was skilled.

Small Progress

Another hour became available and I dismantled much of the ignition system. Among the best advice is taking many pictures, before and during the dismantling. This was true even in the days of film cameras, but digital photography and the ability to print at home, allows you to take the picture and mark up the print as you proceed.

Undoubtedly, I'm among the last to discover this but I still appreciate the ability.

Oh, it Should be So Easy