ET: Engine (Twin) Waiting for work to be completed

timetraveller

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VOC Member
This should be read in conjunction with an update on progress with the new steering heads. I have today finished fitting machined out lower links to new steering heads, that is apart from one which has defeated me. Pressing the bearings in, making sure they are aligned, fitting them and adjusting the shims takes 20 to 30 minutes when everything is in line. I started about three weeks ago on three which I knew might be problematic and then moved on to one which I thought would be ok. That one took three hours! It required me walking backwards and forwards in the rain between my 'clean' workshop and the one which contains my lathe, 6" vice. polishing and grinding equipment and so on. I decided that it would be easier to get an new 6" vice for the 'clean' workshop and to buy some 380 Loctite (see the 'new steering head section' for reasons). This is all on top of having the eyes machined out etc. The other thread will explain what has gone on but the reason this is here is that this experience of trying to produce a nice product to fit parts from 70 years old motorcycles is fraught with problems. A job which should take about half an hour can be a three hour job and the one on which I have finally admitted defeat has take a significant part of four days. I have tried to avoid Bob's problem of promising when things will be finished and also avoid having favourites who get preferential treatment. Only one person has expressed frustration and annoyance with the time taken so I thank all the rest of you for being patient.
 

Phil Davies

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Non-VOC Member
Greg, while I respect your abilities, there are several things we shall have to agree to disagree on!
I have had jobs given to me that have been far more time consuming and troublesome than they are worth. Though it is nice to return badly damaged machines back to the road, I have to look very closely at what jobs I am prepared to do now for this very reason, as I know from my experience that it is all too easy to look at things with rose colored spectacles on.
For my bikes, I have always restored them, rather than swapped out major component parts - true restoration of my bikes is a fully understood important process to me - I really don't care what the cost is (my bikes are keepers, I have only ever (since 1974) sold one of my vin's on (to buy a TZ750 outfit in 1983 - and I have regretted that action from the day I did it!), it was Bob's talent and enthusiasm that illuminated to me what could be done in engineering terms for proper engine restoration.
While not having any worthwhile talent to be a mechanical Engineer, I always fully grasp the practical complexities of I want to be worked on before moving forward. I have always spoken in great depth with Bob about what work I proposed to have done, he has never been pressured to accept any job of mine and was always given an open ended delivery date and final cost in order to work his magic (I have NEVER disputed whatever final cost Bob has ever asked for) - that is an example of just how much respect I have for him as an Engineer, honest human being and a friend.
I am one of the legions of people that have always told Bob that he hugely undercharges for his gifted abilities - even today.

The reality is that some engine cases in particular should be used as door stops, especially when new ones are available.
So what was I to do in 1982 when I wanted to go historic sidecar road racing? take my constantly used road bike (with, as it turns out, the same 'bearing problem' as the vast majority of all the other Stevenage manufactured cases) and turn it into a pure racer, as used bare twin cases rarely appeared on the market and new versions were just a pipe dream that we all had, but knew would ever never happen!!
As a consequence I was sold a set of (knowingly, very battered) twin cases (at a price that I could afford and still go racing), only because "You and Bob are the only people barmy enough to make something good enough out of them" - these cases had obviously had a VERY hard competition life, and were unuseable for the road in the period we are talking about (seriously hacked about). Bob saw these as an opportunity to prove a theory he had regarding the possibility of reclaiming 'scrap' original cases for the future and I was happy to let him loose at my cost to see if his theory was right (he was, as ever). Those cases even today are still fantastic, while many other Stevenage 'scrap' cases have been restored and are still in use as a direct consequence.
It goes further, Bob is currently!! restoring for me a set of cases for a historic bike that has had a VERY torturous life, should I have thrown this set in the bin and used 'normal' cases (new ones still not being around until VERY recently) thus possibly creating a replica (like many others do) or go the extra mile and do a proper resto, irrespective of the money involved and maintain 'honesty' to the bike for future generations - I chose the latter, in full knowledge and partnership with Bob.

To carry out major re-work on badly damaged cases is really a job for an owner/machinist.
Absolutely not, most of the reasons that original Vin parts get butchered is precisely that happens, lots of owner's ambitions exceed their abilities and or knowledge (even some people that call themselves Engineers - believe me I know my limitiations and consequently have been shown the same of others, that sadly I have paid good money to in good faith). Unless 'the Engineer' has good tool room experience (as Bob has) I don't want them machining on my components.

I don't believe anyone who runs a workshop and a customer wishing to have this kind of work done can ever fully grasp the time and effort to build such a machine.........The hours lost in the "Trial and error" process of building these kind of machines makes the job very inefficient. Perhaps this is why they take so long, because you can only spend so much time verses quicker "Turn around jobs" that are far less hassle and better cash flow. It sounds harsh, but although I am far younger than Bob, I still know from over 30 years of restoration that this is how it is. It is a double edged sword really.
I do, really I do, and knowing that when Bob gets a component, he will inevitably find 'issues' that affect future use of that (60 year old) component unless rectified that most others will fail to find.

My only complaints (not unreasonably I feel) are that Bob does not (has not ever!!) communicated further problems that he inevitably finds (but we that know are used to this), has incorrectly advised that work is completed and gets paid for but has still failed to complete 7, yes 7, years after payment and that his attention to the job he has currently promised faithfully to finish within time frames that he has happily agreed to (and in this case is 4 times what he originally proposed he could achieve in), is diverted completely by another 'interesting challenge' that happens to pass under his nose.

As many that know and respect him will attest, he alone is his biggest asset and at the same time is his biggest liability.
Truly wonderfull at Engineering, truly rubbish at business, bless him!
 

david bowen

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
For what it is worth ! a Friend in Australia 15 years back take a vincent engined bike to a guy many thousands of miles from him to be built 5 years ago the guy said that he completed the engine and was fitting it in to the frame, phoned him last week and he said just fitting the main bearings into your crankcases? I said get on a plane with a friend who knows bikes do not take no for a answer pick what's left over up,( he won't) let you know the answer in five years time !
 

greg brillus

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VOC Member
Phil, Sorry I guess there is a major time difference in play here as well, given the era you are describing is way before new cases were available. At this time we are very lucky to have the range of parts available to us, and I can see how that would have been a significant factor. Apart from pestering him on a more regular basis I don't know what else to suggest, and it is not my place to advise you. Cheers and good luck...........Greg.
 
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