|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 27, 2018 0:39:22 GMT -5
Well, let's see. They both make a huge mess and a ton of noise. So equal points there. But I've never even touched a jackhammer. And I do own a chainsaw. Granted it's the petite version. Oh! And I also own an alligator chain saw. Yes, that counts as a chain saw--it has a chain, and it saws small trees and branches and stuff. Since I'm about the most unmachoiest creature out there, winner must be jackhammer. Kat, Don't underestimate yourself... Those manual chainsaws are pretty macho! |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 24, 2018 21:25:33 GMT -5
Yeah, BOTH are pretty macho tools, but I'll take a chainsaw!
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 24, 2018 21:22:02 GMT -5
I remember that the 60 deg v6s didnt require much balancing gear, but the  deg Buick v6s needed big balance shafts. -the v6 engines didnt last long in stock car racing either. The v6 cars could weigh much less than the v8s. However, the v6 cost much more to prep and operate and they suffered far more mechanical failures. -i still prefer an in line 6. Much easier to work on.
I've had numerous old inline sixes... Usually the venerable Chevy "Stovebolt Six"... Had a '53 or '54 Corvette "Blue-Flame" six in my first car, a 1950 Chevy sedan. The original anemic 216 cid six with babbitt bearings and splash-oiling prompted GM to put a 4:11 rear end in the old girl just so she could move under her own power... Those short gears were SWEET with the "Vette six! The old gal was up to taking on the newfangled Chevy 265 OHV V8, and dusted off a few 283's when they became the rage... For drivability, I do love the old straight-sixes... I just never like the SOUND of 'em! Inline 4's don't exactly blow my dress up either, sounding like the Grinch giving us the raspberries... LOL! That old Blue-Flame Stovebolt had twin carbs, headers with dual exhausts, and ran like stink... But it still sounded like a Brit Jag, or Austin Healy... or a Good Humor ice-cream truck! Have a great Christmas!Leo |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 24, 2018 0:17:01 GMT -5
The answer to unbalanced V-6s is easy. Americans first hacked off the front two cylinders of a V-8 to make them. Primary balance of a V-8 is ninety degrees. Optimum balance for a V-6 is sixty degrees. Chrysler and the Japanese knew this and designed the piston bank offset accordingly. I know little about the offset, and have always wondered just how much it affects running... Some of the early car V8's appear to have differing offsets and seemed to run reasonably smooth. V-twin bikes seem to pop up with 45, 60, ninety-degree and various other offsets.. But then, NOBODY would like their CAR to run like the venerable Harley "Milwaukee Shaker'... LOL! Hog jockeys just get used to the bars being a buzzing blur at speed (sure keeps your self-winding watch wound) and idle speed shaking actually noticeably working the suspension...
Thanks for the info on the car V6's... It's something I've often wondered about. I'm overjoyed with the performance of my old Honda Accord motor... Just 3 liters (about 180 CID) and smoother than my old Cadillac V8's, instant throttle response and neck-snapping torque with obscene top speed... Hmmm... A "half-size" 1.5 liter clone would surely be sweet in a bike!
Have a wonderful Christmas!Leo |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 23, 2018 0:28:36 GMT -5
I won't go into the crazy technical side but multiple pistons and crank throws share the load that a single piston carries. I can't gather any anecdotal evidence but I'm more inclined to believe that there are more high mileage twins than singles for whatever reason. There are things about a single "thumper" that I really like. However, my experience (50+ years) tells me that multi-cylinder engines just run smoother, longer and have a wider "sweet spot" for general performance.
One thing I do NOT understand is why in the sixties, V6 engines were tried, and FAILED miserably, being deemed "impossible" to balance. GM tried with V6's in the little Olds and Buick sedans and even resorted to using something like 150 pound flywheels to get them to run reasonably smooth, with NO success. They quickly faded into history. Grandpa wanted an inline six for grocery-getting and everybody else wanted a V8 for giddyup… and hang the gas mileage... LOL!
Then came the Japanese V6's, quickly embraced by Chrysler in their "K" cars. Wow! Smooth as glass. My '04 Honda Accord is THE smoothest running motor I have EVER owned... And it's a V6. Unless it's dead-silent you can't HEAR it running. Inside, you can't FEEL it running.
Just WHAT did the Japanese discover about the V6 that America couldn't figure out in the sixties?I'm amazed that Honda or some other Japanese bike maker hasn't introduced a sweet little 1 or 2 liter V6 bike motor! In short, yes, as an old-school geezer I love the sound and feel of a single, or V-twin. But for great riding, longevity and general performance I'll get modern and opt for a multi-cylinder mill!
Ride safe, and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!Leo in Texas |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 22, 2018 0:24:31 GMT -5
Gotta agree with the majority... Book burning is not only not macho, it's a throwback to some VERY unsavory dictators... Some of which are "role models" for some American "wannabes"... Thank American voters for having some common sense.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 16, 2018 21:21:01 GMT -5
 I created this graphic, and the missus and I posted it back in 2016, when America was going through some of her darkest days. Jobs were scarce, much of the world hated us, traditional American values were "politically incorrect"... This CHRISTMAS (yes, CHRISTMAS, not "Winter Break" or whatever...) we are again overjoyed to wish one and all the very MERRIEST of Christmases...
It's a time of peace on earth and good will to men... ALL men... Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists... ALL men (that means the gals too, of course... LOL!).
This season, amidst the frantic shopping, never-ending Christmas parties and general mayhem and confusion... Let's all remember (whether you're believers or not) that this is the time of year to be kind, patient and respectful of others.
Our beloved America now has her Constitution back, jobs are back by the thousands, with more on the way... the USA is once again loved by her friends, feared by her enemies and respected by all... Our President has been successful in making the world recognize JERUSELEM the rightful CAPITOL of ISRAEL... It's been a very, VERY good two years, and THIS Christmas, American men and women, boys and girls of all colors, creeds, faiths and beliefs have more reason than ever, since the end of World War II to embrace the spirit of the season, and have a truly merry Christmas, and look forward to a blessed and PROSPEROUS New Year!
Ride safe, and don't forget to hang up yer' sock!Most sincerely,
Leo & Betty (the Old Chopper Guy and his Missus)... |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 13, 2018 1:01:13 GMT -5
Ah, well... Gotta go with CORN.
It makes into some mighty fine likker… and THAT probably has promoted more than a few "wild oats" to be sown. EEEEWWWW!  And, the COBS get recycled as substitute fanny-wipes, replacing the Sears & Roebuck catalog in select rural outdoor facilities! THAT is pretty macho in itself!
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 13, 2018 0:56:34 GMT -5
The way I understand it the engine is a downsized clone of the ill fated Honda GB-500. Like the SR-400 Yamaha in Japan 400cc engines are in a different class. It's built by Shineray in China. I'm not really a fan of single cylinder road bikes and at that price I would look into the Benelli 302. I must agree... It's a great-looking small bike, and probably is a good choice for general riding. However, I too am a tad shy of single-cylinder motors for cruising. I'd like a twin better... I keep thinking about my old Honda 305cc Super Hawk which I bought while at Fort Bragg, NC. That was probably THE best all around ride I ever had... It would suffice to do duty from anywhere from a bicycle to a long-distance, two-up tourer... Smooth, impeccable handling (for that time) and absolutely bullet-proof-reliable. There are SO few new bikes in the 300-500cc class nowadays, and so many are still single-cylinder models. It seems that the general market wants either a "moped" or a "crotch-rocket" and not much in between... All that being said, it's likely a good bike... Genuine products seem to be very good. My dealer sells a lot of Buddy scoots! |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 10, 2018 11:16:19 GMT -5
The use of cheap pot metal was fairly prevalent in 1960's Japanese motorcycles. I haven't seen that in my Chinese stuff. I have dropped two out of three and they have original levers. The biggest weakness I have seen is in the plastic. Black rubber hasn't been their strongest suit. Not so much in hoses but in other areas dry rot has been annoying. Of course my stuff is ten years old so maybe things are better now. I hate to call the early Japanese metal "pot-metal" since it WAS super-lightweight, but in ALL other respects it was every bit as crappy as pot-metal... Maybe even crappier... LOL! Even Smith & Wesson gave in to the temptation of using "Zamac" zinc-alloy (CLASSIC pot-metal) in the slides of their ill-fated Walther/S&W .22's with polymer frames. They looked great, but fell apart. From recent truly dismal S&W examples I've seen (including $2K custom-shop guns with "canted" barrels and other defects) I'm not surprised, but I'd expect better engineering from Walther. The big problem (and temptation) to use Zamak is that it's CHEAP... It molds BEAUTIFULLY, rendering intricate parts that require little or no machining or finishing, and it takes all sprayed, powder-coated, baked, blued and plated finishes perfectly. The downside is that it melts at a mundane 600 degrees, it's HEAVIER than steel and WEAKER than aluminum.It's OK in it's place, but it's place isn't usually in high-perf motors...  |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 8, 2018 3:30:07 GMT -5
Way back in the Stone Age of Asian bikes, do you remember that weird, feather-light, slightly yellow shiny BRITTLE metal Honda parts were made from? Don't know if it's true, but the dealer I bought my 1967 305 Super Hawk from told me the stuff was trademarked as "HONDA METAL"... Not sounding trendy enough, it was re-trademarked as "JAPANESIUM"...
NOT the greatest stuff, being capable of thread-stripping with just a screwdriver, but probably better than "CHINESIUM"... LOL!
That early Honda metal would corrode in similar manner to aluminum, but ten times faster, and, steel screws and bolts threaded into it caused a Galvanic reaction, freezing them stuck better than "JB Weld"...
Honda has come a long way since then. Maybe the Chinese will too!
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 6, 2018 2:40:45 GMT -5
howdy leo it's been a while since i was on this forum and i'm sad to hear of health issues with "the wife" and of course our own increasing age and old injuries catching up. i'm hoping you can hang in there and have enough energy to find yourself out fixing on the machine one day without it even being on "the to-do list". i'm hoping that fer me too------ ken
These days, it seems there is always "something" stealing our time. Being with the Missus 24/7 I can take good care of her. I can't be away more than a short trip to the store, or the shop... The weather right now is not conducive to working on the old mouse, but soon, maybe! I'll replace the known defective starter relay, check all wires and fuses and install a new battery. Maybe she'll go, but if all electrics are still dead, I may have fried the stator or some other internal electrics. If so, I'll have to bite the bullet and have my dealer truck it to the shop for a fix. He can replace the starter and internal engine electrics for around $500 worst case. Tough on Social Security, but worth it. The bike is still worth around $1,100 and is ideal for my riding needs. I can't gripe, after seven years of absolutely trouble-free transportation! I'd still have no problems with it if the new starter relay had not been defective, sticking in the "start" mode. I'll eventually find out just what damage that did.
If a $15 defective replacement part did half-a-grand damage, I will NOT be happy... LOL! But then, a $5 oil-drain plug cross-threaded can cost an engine... The rest of the scoot is sound as a dollar (at least a nice, current Trump-dollar!) and that makes it "doable" and worth the price. If I can get it running for next season, I'll be a happy camper...
Ride safe, and thanks for the kind thoughts!Leo |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 6, 2018 2:27:37 GMT -5
Kat,
I know about not having time for anything... My Missus is having some real issues from a past stroke. I'm now a full-time hubby and full-time caregiver. This getting old is NOT for the faint-hearted...
So glad you're back, and BE BLESSED!
Leo (Betty too)
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 6, 2018 2:23:10 GMT -5
I do know this. With pushrods, chain drive and a slide-needle carburetor it won't suffer from technical difficulties down the road. Also I'll bet even if the kickstarter won't get it running it would be real easy to push start with a dead battery.
Absolutely! Have a bone on The Old Chopper Guy!
The big appeal to me IS the old-school technology in a modern ride. It should be reliable and easy to maintain... And, yes, with a clutch-n'-gears tranny, a "run and bump" start would be a natural. (If it has a mandatory "in-neutral and brake applied" feature to start, I'd disable it for easy push-starts).
Probably the most common buyer for these would be beginner young riders, but there are a LOT of old geezers like me who actually like the old-fashioned stuff... This little bike just might get a lot of 70-80 year old guys to replace their SAE tools with Metric... LOL! |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 5, 2018 0:24:38 GMT -5
I have done shot-put. No, I totally suxed at it. Having said that, I know it's more a matter of weight-training and technique, not macho. However, that hammer throw looks like you can seriously hurt yourself if you don't know what you're doing (unlike shot-put). Gotta vote hammer. Kat, Glad to see you posting again! Hope your trip was a blessing... Trust me, you CAN get hurt in the shot-put... LOL! In high-school, I got fairly good at it. However, I did manage to drop the shot on my foot once, and "PF Flyers" don't offer much toe-protection... And, to add insult to injury, I managed to get smacked by a shot while watching the girls activities nearby... Duh... |
|
deg Buick v6s needed big balance shafts.
