Hello from sunny Yorkshire

Hello all, im Mark a newly 60 retired mech engineer. Havent used a lathe since the 70s until this last year with my new little myford, now possess a pillar drill too, internal garages are not the best workspaces but its all i have. Just finished restoring a Montesa 348 (1976) and quite fancy a go at a small engine of some description. Any suggestions glady accepted, ive looked at a few kits and to be honest im no nearer a decision.. cheers Mark

Hello Mark and welcome. What kind of small engine do you have in mind? steam, internal combustion, etc and do you want to use casting or bar stock. Either way there are plenty to choose from.

Let us know what you decide on.

Brian

Welcome, Mark, this hobby has the downside of becoming addictive, you'll be thinking of a mill next. I have ridden a Montessa 250, but had a Beamish Suzuki 250 with the Whitehawk frame. There's no way I could manage a trials bike now due to arthritis.

Im thinking internal combustion although hot air engines look interesting, steam would be great but i presume the boiler is expensive regarding testing etc so thats ruled out for now. Having no milling set-up may need to change i think but for now im still so clueless as to which way to go. Mark

PS - have seen some model plane/boat engines, but have no idea how glow engines run or what you need. So might need to investigate those too!

Which part of Yorkshire are you in Mark ?

I used to build and ride pre-65 trials bikes, I have a 1972 Honda XL250 and a 1950 BSA Gold Star on the road now.

Phil (Silsden)

have a look at Bengs model kits, they have steam, IC and hot air engine kits which make up into very nice models.

If you go for steam, you DO NOT need a boiler, you can run them on compressed air, much cheaper and a lot less mess.

Hello Mark, welcome. Like you my workshop is an internal garage. It's not perfect but has the advantage for me of not having to go outside to get to it. Probably the biggest downside is no windows but its good for security.

Peter

Lidl did a nice cordless hand compressor up to 100psi recently, handy for occasional use, so you don't have to buy those big clunky noisy monsters

Hi mark welcome from Leeds. Still have my Beta 270 somewhere. Don't ride any more. Grandkids use it mostly.

Steve.

Welcome to the forum, Mark,

Neil