problem solving

[ianminki]

hi all
not posted anything for a long time but been looking at new post . so to start with I have been problem sorting with drive train for most of the summer and found that having a bike engine car not as easy to play with as I expected . the first thing that bust this year was the reverse box ( a spring in it was not up to it's job) it lost it's forward drive so I took it out and sent it back to mnr for repairs (fine to start with) but same thing happened after replacing and two drive's out (so now p????? off) so out it came, I now have a 2 piece prop and no reverse ( ok fine ) the drive is so much better ( more power to rear wheel's) and I have lost most of the vibrating that came from it but it soon became clear that something other than the box was wrong as the car did not drive as smooth. (lot's of knocking from axle) and found that the drive pinion bearing and oil seal were to blame so I have replaced the axle from the car i got for spare's and found that it had a 3,54,1 diff in it that is more suited to a race type bike engine kit car I think ( but good on road as well)the car is a bit hard in town driving but out in the open road its well quick and fun to drive so now find all the work I have done worth it. now I am trying to sort out suspension set up and get my ride more suited to road use as I dont race ( just about there now I think) I have been to some track day event's and now looking at maybe getting one sorted so I can have some fun its a great car (even if I say so myself) not the best looking in the world but its all my own work as far as the rebuild concerned. hope you are on the road to recovery rob and will be back tinkering with your car soon.

all the best regards ian

[stylussprinter]

Well done Ian , it's a slow process adapting your car to suit yourself , especially going from car engine to bike engine --- so much lighter overall weight , which means needing much lighter spring weights.
Your car probably only weighs 450 to 500kgs so front springs would only need 225lbs max and 180lbs rear. Perhaps even 200lbs front if an ARB is fitted and possibly 150lbs rear if you're mostly travelling driver only. Just make sure whatever spring weights you choose that there's enough travel in the shocks with the car on the ground( not jacked up) Probably need more travel on soft springs -- say 30 to 40 mm's front and 60 to 80mm's rear.

I'm mending well now 10 weeks post op. Been driving the road car from 6 weeks post op and riding my road bike 2 weeks ago for the first time. Day one out of hospital I walked 300 yards a day , gradually increasing that each week to walking 2 miles a day now.
My classic Alfa GTAm replica engine has just been rebuilt , so looking for dry days to start running it in , as it's a 43 year old ' lady ' . Managed just over 100 miles so far , 500 more to go before oil/filter drain then head bolts pull down. A further 600 miles at least before using the full rev range.