Motorcycle General Discussion

Some great bikes here. Sadly I doubt I will ride again, but happy memories from when it seemed to be a lot quieter on the roads. Wish I'd kept my YDS3....

Am very late responding to this......I have one, afraid not for sale, though happy to sketch parts and dimensions if that helps:

Alpha Bearings also had quite a good information booklet about single and twin cylinder crank re-building. I've seen it uploaded as a PDF somewhere but can't remember where or when (probably 10 years ago?)

Back in the 80's I used a LOT of big end kits from Alpha when working for Leslie Griffiths Motors (Honda/Yamaha) and Two Wheel Services (Suzuki/Vespa)

Back then I could fix a DT125 or 175 in about 4 hrs, from unloading off the van to test riding with re-built engine. Nowadays it takes a month to clean a set of carbs.

The Alpha-Tru would be pretty simple to make only really need a lathe to turn the angled bearing housings, the rest could be fabricated from flat bar/plate. One thing I would do if making one though, make one side height adjustable as many cranks have different diameters left and right side.

Personally, I always preferred setting cranks close to flywheels rather than on a pair of centres, seemed more logical to see where 'precision beating' was needed (and it didn't mater if cranks had damaged centre drilling's -or none)

Edited By Peter Jones 20 on 11/07/2022 22:38:03

Edited By Peter Jones 20 on 11/07/2022 22:41:02

Perhaps on the Velocette site: **LINK**

I have used Alpha for a Tiger Cub roller bearing mains conversion and for big ends on my Matchless singles. I actuallly have one to do shortly:

As you say it would not be too hard to make.

I think the knife-edge wheels on the Alpha set up are more for low friction for balancing rather than for truing. Truing can be done with two ball bearings bolted to a plate each side with the crank resting direct on the outer races. That is the way a lot of modern commercial units are made. Or some older truing stands just have a pair of machined V notches straight in the upright steel plates for the mainshafts to sit in.

Alpha brochure is clearly aimed at re-aligning.

Balancing a crank on an Alpha-Tru isn't the easiest thing to do. Space is needed to hang the necessary weights and clear the connecting rod.

I've seen Alpha-Tru's hacked about to provide the space.

A long stroke Matchless 500 Crank fits ok with clearance for aligning.

Let's face it an alpha-true is a pretty simple device to make. Anyone who could make a clock or a model engine would find it a trivial exercise.

Tru

I think you are confusing truing (alignment) with balancing. Ideally, for balancing, the connecting rod would be allowed to hang down vertically (through the truing fixture) and weights hung on the rod to determine what needs to be done to achieve the required balance factor. The photo highlights the shortcomings of the Alpha-Tru for this work.

I have been away from riding for 4 years because of my knees, but the new ones are ready to get back on two wheels. I have a Suzuki Burgman 400 K8 scooter because for the last 20 years I have been unable to manage a clutch lever because the arthritis is also in my fingers. Using brakes the same as bicycle brakes is ok, though. The arthritis is also in my back, neck and left shoulder, so working on the bike is very difficult. I have just ordered a bike lifting stand after checking prices and sizes. The one I have ordered is the widest and it is under £500 delivered. When it is working, I will post my thoughts regarding its ease of use.

**LINK**

Hi Old Mart i have the same and it is quite good but made even better by fitting a Bump stop so 1 person can put bike on ramp on their own i will add a couple of photos later.Graham

I have the same lift, bought it new ten years ago for under £300 and worth every penny. But be warned you will forget on times to raise the bike, well I do and find yourself on your hands n knees.

It also serves as an extra bench, without a bike on of course, just a warning the lift does creep down if you don't fit the locking pin.

Kind regards Colin

I have a very similar lift, really hand if you are tall and suffer back problems.

anyone had a recent classic insurance renewal with a 50 % increase???

No, am with Footman James and got a slight reduction this year.

I have been making sure there is space in my standard size garage for the platform. The bike will have to sit on it when garaged, so I will have no choice but to ride it on. The bike weighs 425 pounds, so I won't be able to push it up the ramp, backing off will be easy, especially as both brakes are on the handlebars. The height minimum is 7" and the width is 26.7". My centre stand is 19" wide and the prop stand sticks out about 5" wider. I may make a slight lip to fit to the left side of the lift where the prop stand goes for security, it can be QD. Also, I will make wooden platforms 7" high and one foot wide to place either side when parking or backing off the stand for security.

A bump stop would be a safety feature, although there is a heavy cupboard which would stop over runs.

As for insurance, I have just paid £70 for TPF&T with a 2000 mile limit, the bike is not vintage by any means, being 2008 registered.

Yes last month I had an insurance renewal letter from Carol Nash for my two BSA motorcycles, the price had risen from £140 up to £210.

I didn't accept it, but they wouldn't budge on the price, so the bikes are off the road at the moment.

As a vintage motorcycle club member we get a good deal from Peter James. £21 cheaper this year £114 for two pre-war BSA bikes.