I guess people actually do this when there's no alternative. Bobby Strawlman - "the" Champion Spark Plug guy years ago - apparently had a Matchless with a crank carved from the solid.
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The mini yamaha
- Thread starter Ratranger
- Start date
You'd need a much bigger lathe than mine to make a billet crank. I know it's been done, but the oiling holes and all have to be a pain to do manually.
Rear shock mount is ready for welding, front mount just needs the remains of the cradle welded on.
Rear shock mount is ready for welding, front mount just needs the remains of the cradle welded on.
I think it's prolly common knowledge that the Wright Bros built the engine in their first airplane.
The credit actually belongs to Charles Taylor, the W Bros chief mechanic.
The W Bros needed an 8 hp engine, Charlie gave 'em a 12 hp engine.
The crankshaft was a solid steel billet about 1-1/2" thick. Charlie used a hacksaw to cut it to shape, then chucked it in a lathe for finishing.
From design to running engine took about 6 wks.
Not bad for early 1900's tech, eh?
The credit actually belongs to Charles Taylor, the W Bros chief mechanic.
The W Bros needed an 8 hp engine, Charlie gave 'em a 12 hp engine.
The crankshaft was a solid steel billet about 1-1/2" thick. Charlie used a hacksaw to cut it to shape, then chucked it in a lathe for finishing.
From design to running engine took about 6 wks.
Not bad for early 1900's tech, eh?
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Remember without the lathe we wouldn't have the modern mill. Everything you can do with a mill can be done on a lathe with the right setup. And everything you can do on a 5+ axis mill can be done on a manual. It will take longer, might take some funky attachments and set ups, but it is possible.
Here's an interesting article of charlie describing how he built the engine.
A lathe and a drill press were the only powered tools he had to work with.
https://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Just_the_Facts/Engines_&_Props/1903_Engine.htm
A lathe and a drill press were the only powered tools he had to work with.
https://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Just_the_Facts/Engines_&_Props/1903_Engine.htm
Other than a brake stay and clean up the swingarm is done.
Kleen strip premium will be my go to stripper now. I brushed it on the tank, wrapped it in a black trashbag and set it in the sun for 2ish hours. Pretty much all the paint, spray paint and OEM came off, including the decals.
You can do simultaneous 5-axis work on a manual? With how many guys?
Lol, not quite what I meant. I was meaning anything you can make on a 5 axis, you can make on a manual. Although I did see a video of a manual mill that you could tilt the table like an A and B axis, with a built in rotary for C. I'm thinking they cost too much because I've never seen one in person.
Here's a picture similar to what I saw in the video.
You mean 3+2 machining. Yes, absolutely possible with a Bridgeport.
Working on a caliper bracket, I decided the first one was going to be too big, so now I'm working on v2.
Caliper bracket just needs some deburr now. And other than a few more hooks my hf tool cart is now my weld cart.
I'd say it looks pretty good on the swingarm.
Almost ready to come off the weld table.
That's a pretty funky little machine right there!
Shifter side foot control is close. It's an 05 gsxr rear set adapted to the ysr.
Brake side is close now. Luckily I hadn't removed the original brake light switch. The gsxr one will foul the swingarm, but with a longer spring the original won't.
Those Honda Grom builders have nothing on you...
There's some pretty crazy groms out there. Granted some of them the only grom bits left are the steering head and wheels.Those Honda Grom builders have nothing on you...
I would have used a crf230 engine if they weren't so expensive, and rarely on the market around me. The zongshen is an improved clone having the 6 speed and counterbalancer. It's hard to pony up $1500+ for a 10+yr old crf when you could buy a whole brand new china 250 for the same or less.
I'll have to try that next.
My default has always been "Aircraft Stripper" but EPA standards have neutered it down now to the point it just doesn't work worth a damn anymore.
I have some engine cases I need to de-clearcoat, Ill try this next time.
