Author Topic: Small Journal Crank  (Read 4818 times)

Offline Rocket Racer

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Small Journal Crank
« on: 29.06. 2009 22:57 »
I?m currently in the process of building a 1955 Road Rocket for sidecar racing and intending to retain the small journal crank (its what I have) and plain bush, but using an SRM oil pump and fresh SRM SJ rods. Do any members have any experience regarding the reliability of these cranks when used under duress?
A good rider periodically checks all nuts and bolts with a spanner to see that they are tight - Instruction Manual for BSA B series, p46, para 2.
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Offline trevinoz

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #1 on: 29.06. 2009 23:40 »
The old literature recommends using a large journal crank for racing.
A mate broke a large journal crank in his sidecar racer.
Trev.

Offline Rocket Racer

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #2 on: 30.06. 2009 00:35 »
Thanks, I guess I asked for that response, yes large journal (LJ) cranks are obviously better and most cranks can be broken if not well maintained or over revved (commando cranks snap over 7k).
The SJ cranks are however still sturdy one piece cranks unlike bolt up norton and triumphs. Certainly Eddie Dow stated LJ cranks were ?preferable? for tuning, yet Gene Thiessen did 143.54mph on his ?51 gold flash at Bonneville and there are other examples like Erle Culver in NZ who raced a gold flash outfit in the mid 50?s with a genuine 358 cam for several years very successfully  (both on SJ).
I?m focused on the rolling chassis currently, so have some time to consider engine options, but if I move away from the original crank that I already have, start to open up significant options like using a commando crank or even doing a 90 degree motor with twin carbs. LJ cranks are equally difficult to source as the A65 owners love them.
Is your mate still racing? I?d love a photo of his outfit.
A good rider periodically checks all nuts and bolts with a spanner to see that they are tight - Instruction Manual for BSA B series, p46, para 2.
New Zealand

Offline trevinoz

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #3 on: 30.06. 2009 01:10 »
Rocket Racer, no he is not racing now but I think he still has the outfit. I will see if I can get a picture.
Is the SJ crank original from new? I know the parts list for the pre '56 RR has that one but a mate reckons that they used the one piece billet crank, bloody heavy thing.
I have the bones of a '54 RR which is a long way off starting to restore and I was going to use the SJ crank.
The mate offered me a one piece item but I am a bit short of LJ rods.
Interesting that you mention the 358 cam. The fellow I mentioned before is the only person I know who has ever had one. He fitted it to a Rocket back in the late 50s or early 60s. He reckoned it was no good at all on the road and swapped it away. He's sorry now. He also said it had a smaller base circle than the standard cams and I think he machined the rocker box to suit.
I don't know , obviously, whether you have seen the one piece crank, I think they were fitted to the '56 and '57 RRs.
In '58 they all used the LJ crank with the radial bolted flywheel.

Offline Rocket Racer

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #4 on: 30.06. 2009 08:41 »
Sadly I don?t have a 358 cam, my engine a 55 road rocket is typical thick flange, but has a SJ one piece crank that I understand was used for all the road rockets from 1954 to 1957.  I can only guess it?s the original although a lot can happen in 54 years! The crank still looks pretty sturdy. Its an ex US motor and still std big ends and main bush, albeit in need of a full reco. The top end was running +1/2mm pistons (+20), it had a 356 cam fitted but big valves. I?ve got a 357 for it. Was hoping to put some 10.5/1 pistons in it and keep it fairly stock. I can supply a pdf copy of the article on the NZ 358 based A10 racer if you?re interested.
A good rider periodically checks all nuts and bolts with a spanner to see that they are tight - Instruction Manual for BSA B series, p46, para 2.
New Zealand

Offline BSA_54A10

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #5 on: 30.06. 2009 11:45 »
essential if you are going to use the small crank .
Get it carbo-nitrided or nitro-carburised ( same process) .
Sort of like case hardening but you used Nitrogen rather than Carbon.
Should cost about $ 20.00 and make the crank about 3 time tougher than it was when it left the factory.
Note I said TOUGHER, not harder, not stronger.
So it will fail under the same excessive loads as the standard crank but will be far less prone to cracking & breaking at sub critical stress levels and will have a much higher fatigue limit.
Bike Beesa
Trevor

Online olev

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #6 on: 30.06. 2009 12:40 »
Rockets,
If you are going racing, I strongly suggest you get a copy of
"Four Stroke Performance Tuning" by A. Graham Bell and spend a bit of time reading the section on 'The Bottom End' in particular 'Main Bearing Alignment' & 'Cylinder Boring'. actually read the whole damn book.
This takes over from 'Tuning for Speed' and is the best thing to come out of New South Wales for years.
NZ is chock full of mad petrol heads, I'm sure you will get this thing to fly.
cheers

 

Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #7 on: 30.06. 2009 13:18 »
HI Rocket Racer,
I would be very interested in the article on the 358 racer,
 if you could send me a copy I would be very grateful, email address is in my profile
Thanks
John O R
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Offline beezalex

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #8 on: 30.06. 2009 14:24 »
Sounds like a fun project.  If it were me, I would find a large journal crank and get some MAP or carrillo rods.  Either one of these pieces failing is just potentially too destructive to machine and your person to compromise.  And yes, get the crank nitrided, though I don't know of anyone who will do it for $20.  Trev, is there a place in OZ that will do it for $20?  If so, I'll ship some cranks down there 'cause I looked around here in the US and $250 was what it cost me.

Other Trev: What is this one-piece crank?  A friend here has what looks like a billet SJ A10 crank with the flywheel a part of the crank.  What's the origin of this?  Was it a racing item?

Anyway, Rocket Racer, as far as cams are concerned, the Megacycle 544-x3 is just phenomenal.  The same profile in my A65 is, anyway.  Doesn't give anything up on the bottom end but just builds incredible power and torque through the midrange up to as fast as you want to rev.  I imagine for the A10 it will do similar things...probably much better than the 358 cam.
Alex

Too many BSA's


Offline A10Boy

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #9 on: 30.06. 2009 20:06 »
Not sure about retaining the plain bush for a racing motor, but I'm sure those with more experience will have a view.

Regards

Andy

1958 Super Rocket
Plus
Harley Super Glide Custom
Yam XJR 1300

Offline trevinoz

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #10 on: 30.06. 2009 22:30 »
Beezalex,
             The crank I mentioned is one piece, that is , the flywheel and crank are not bolted together but a single forging. They are large journal and were standard fit to Road Rockets at least '56 and '57. They are much heavier than the radial bolted LJ crank.
Trev.

Offline beezalex

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #11 on: 01.07. 2009 14:03 »
Trev, that's interesting.  I never knew about these things until about three weeks ago when I found one at my friend's shop.  He had no idea what it was.  I thought it was SJ, but we may have to check again.  One thing's for sure.  It IS heavy.  I wonder what the motivation for this animal was.

As far as the timing side bearing: While I haven't raced A10's, I've had good luck with them on my A65 racers.  I still run the stock setup, though with increased crankshaft endplay (.005") since the crank seems to grow faster than the cases when pushed hard.  The result is this:
Alex

Too many BSA's


Offline Brian

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #12 on: 02.07. 2009 03:19 »
Alex I have seen that happen in a few A65's. I dont think it is because of expansion or anything similar, I think it is caused by the bearing being fitted. When you fit the bearing in the case you have to heat up the case until the bearing drops in by itself, if you try to drive the bearing in or give it a few taps when fitted to make sure it is full seated then this is the result. The last two motors I have had apart, a A65 and a A50 where both broken like this. I had them welded and both were fine. The bloke that welded them for me left an old bearing outer in place and then welded the piece back on with a TIG. After he finished I heated up the case and the bearing outer fell out and I fitted the new bearing. Actually I think they were better after the repair because there was a lot more metal around the thin section that breaks. The bad new is that its a total dismatle job to do the repair.


Offline Rocket Racer

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #13 on: 30.09. 2009 04:12 »
I did think I had tracked down a decent LJ crank but was not to be, hope to obtain one in the new year. But by then I intend to have my initial race motor together. which will be kept fairly humble so it can cope. It will be plain bush/sj with a 357 and a nice 10TT9 carb (30mm). Am also intending to run tele's but will alter the trail probably by putting a leading axle on the sliders

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=1546

I have some images stored on my kiwibiker profile my account being named after the norton atlas I raced for the last 6 years but have now sold to build a proper A10 sidecar. There are also pictures there of my double sided beesa brake. The hubs are off being laced up at present to 16" rims (2.5" wide). The frame is BB32R replica a la daytona replica/Erle Culver tribute. So much to do...
A good rider periodically checks all nuts and bolts with a spanner to see that they are tight - Instruction Manual for BSA B series, p46, para 2.
New Zealand

Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Small Journal Crank
« Reply #14 on: 30.09. 2009 21:45 »
Hi Rocket Racer,
The link you gave only accesses the front page of Kiwibiker.co.nz
us non members dont seem to be able to get at the interesting stuff!!!!
Regards
John
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)