26-04-2020, 07:57 AM
From somewhere I acquired a copy of Newnes, early 1930s. This and similar books make easy bedtime reading, but there are a lot of words to convey a few facts. Many such books are reprints and later editions and old and new info mixed up must have confused many (A 1950s Caxton book describes modern honing but also describes reboring with no subsequent treatment. Quotes typical cyl wear rates .001 per 2,000, 3,000 miles, but also mentions almost nil in 100,000 as today under good conditions. Articles on the basis for valve timing etc are very questionable) What struck me was 9hp BSA 4cyl car engine. Two rolling bearings, oil fed one end but no circumferential ducts. I vaguely recall Riley 9 had these despite two feeds. Dunno about the Singer 9, Morris Minor and others. Ii don’t suppose anyone now knows details of how these cars performed.
Incidentally for moderate water jacket cracks old books recommend soldering; rub copper sulphate into the cleaned cast iron to assist tinning. The body and chassis repair techniques are interesting as basically what amateurs are confined to.
The lock down rolls on, very pleasantly for me. But productivity has been thwarted. Have re experienced the great pleasure of cycling, last seriously indulged 55 years ago. With Covid threatening it seems prudent to see all I can of the world. And to strengthen lungs for any looming battle. Cannot easily get on a mans bike. Have forsaken my ex inorganic rubbish Raleigh 20 for an equally ancient 27 inch wheel ladies 10speed with all alloy fittings, barely used, cost $15 (L8). With no traffic , very clear air, no background noise, carparks closed so few in parks etc, autumn days with long shadows, quite idyllic, esp coastline tracks. Cycling serves to remind what a remarkable invention the bike was. It expanded enormously the world of the middle classes who could afford. I remember my grandfather telling of biking 80 miles in Kent after a job in the 1890s. On the level, unhurried with no head wind, can go forever with very little effort. My radius limited to about 25km and have to walk all the many grades. Whereas the bike mechanism has not aged, mine has.
The bike somewhat more sensitive to wind and grade than the Seven but the bike cornering, braking, response on corrugations and in thick metal is better!
Bicycles were a great training ground for the later Seven. Learned about hard and soft steels etc. I had one ancient high quality preWW1 bike with hardened cotters. I can still remember my fathers reaction when I attacked with one of his files. Bearing analogies assist to understand angular contact etc.
Curiously the Raleigh 20 is much less floppy than the ladies bike. It has the merit that ridden on the footpath peds regard it as a non threatening toy.
I came across one Council worker disturbing the glorious peace with a weed eater. I guess his cord lacerations will heal eventually.
Incidentally for moderate water jacket cracks old books recommend soldering; rub copper sulphate into the cleaned cast iron to assist tinning. The body and chassis repair techniques are interesting as basically what amateurs are confined to.
The lock down rolls on, very pleasantly for me. But productivity has been thwarted. Have re experienced the great pleasure of cycling, last seriously indulged 55 years ago. With Covid threatening it seems prudent to see all I can of the world. And to strengthen lungs for any looming battle. Cannot easily get on a mans bike. Have forsaken my ex inorganic rubbish Raleigh 20 for an equally ancient 27 inch wheel ladies 10speed with all alloy fittings, barely used, cost $15 (L8). With no traffic , very clear air, no background noise, carparks closed so few in parks etc, autumn days with long shadows, quite idyllic, esp coastline tracks. Cycling serves to remind what a remarkable invention the bike was. It expanded enormously the world of the middle classes who could afford. I remember my grandfather telling of biking 80 miles in Kent after a job in the 1890s. On the level, unhurried with no head wind, can go forever with very little effort. My radius limited to about 25km and have to walk all the many grades. Whereas the bike mechanism has not aged, mine has.
The bike somewhat more sensitive to wind and grade than the Seven but the bike cornering, braking, response on corrugations and in thick metal is better!
Bicycles were a great training ground for the later Seven. Learned about hard and soft steels etc. I had one ancient high quality preWW1 bike with hardened cotters. I can still remember my fathers reaction when I attacked with one of his files. Bearing analogies assist to understand angular contact etc.
Curiously the Raleigh 20 is much less floppy than the ladies bike. It has the merit that ridden on the footpath peds regard it as a non threatening toy.
I came across one Council worker disturbing the glorious peace with a weed eater. I guess his cord lacerations will heal eventually.