Monster's incapacity

[Baff]

As much as I enjoyed four days of Harley-related outings, culminating in the now famous East meets West run, it took its toll on Monster.

She's sitting in my garage feeling rather forlorn, waiting for me to get a new engine/coil bracket made up.

It broke on the way back from Yarmouth, leading to a decidedly weird run home, going from 2 to 1 cylinders and back as earth connected and disconnected. 1565cc of V-twin engine is unforgiving sometimes.

I got my brother to look at it, as he's more of an engineer than me, and we're going to (apparently) make up a new titanium bracket, which should withstand the vibration better. We're also (again apparently) going to try to improve the rubber mountings to reduce the vibratory strain on said mounting bracket.

Looks like 500 miles in four days was too much for the old girl. As me old mate Shaun keeps saying to me - Bloody Customs - but hey, the more problems that come to light now & I get sorted, the less I'll have as I clock up the miles in the coming months.

It's all worth it. The smile on my face confirms that everytime we head out.

Baff

[the_monster]

so is it the head steady that went ? how long is going be out of action for ?

[Baff]

It's the bracket that sits between the two cylinders, off which the coil bracket hangs, and to which the head steady attaches. One end sheared near the bolt, and vibration caused the other bolt to loosen and drop out. Those coils and the starter button assembly add up to quite a weight to hang off it. I'm thinking of giving it an extra support from lower on the engine, meaning there'd be three anchor points instead of two. There's not a lot of rubber up there to absorb the vibration.

I'm hoping we're going to have it replaced by the weekend, but it depends on how much time my bro can devote to it at work over the next couple of nights. He's an airframe fitter at Stansted, and usually has a wee bit of time on his hands if he needs it. I've just got to hope that there's a suitable bit of titanium hanging around.

Baff

[hamish]

Really sorry to hear about your problem.

Good luck.

Good to hear you've got a brother with access to aircraft grade materials, and the equipment to use them

[Foby]

Originally Posted by Baff

It's the bracket that sits between the two cylinders, I've just got to hope that there's a suitable bit of titanium hanging around.

Baff

Plenty of titanium on the aeroplane wings - im sure they wont miss a bit Baff