Ac-Aero Higgs multifuel engine

[onetrack]

Nev, the big thing is, the Japanese delivered what the customers wanted, and were innovative. Innovation was sorely lacking in British designs and the customer came last when it came to improved or different designs.

I have to admit, the Japanese products are terrible for lack of interchangeability. But the mini-bikes met with serious demand from customers, not simply brand loyalty.

The brother and I bought several Z50J Honda minibikes because they were light, easily transported in car boots, had fold-down handlebars, and they were great for us to use, shifting equipment around when on your own.

We'd move a machine from one farm or jobsite to the next, and then ride the Z50J back to our ute or car. I wish I still had all those Z50J's, they are worth a fortune today, in good nick! Last one I saw at auction brought nearly $3000.

[facthunter]

it's not ONLY the lack of interchangeability of parts over the model range , 2/3rds of the model range changed for the next year. I'm not anti Jap bikes. I've owned and worked on almost anything. but don't keep them for 20 years or you are not in the loop. Ride the miles and get a new one rather than try to keep the old jigger running.. Restoring one?? I just wouldn't. There's too much diemetal, neoprene, plastic guards and seat covers and the wiring looms just crack up and unreproduceable bits and tanks and frames corrode badly as there's NO attempt to treat the inside of anything for rust. THEY want you to buy the next Model. Why wouldn't they? That's how they make their money and if you built one from Parts it would cost about 15 times the actual price so repairs quickly become uneconomic. even if you do the labour for nothing. For a Honda Farm bike I had I got a pocket full of small parts that cost what the bike was worth, even at trade discount. Only did that once. You have to know when to quit them. Nev

[Mike Borgelt]

Nice thread drift. From new aero engines to motorcycles.

 

How about waiting to see what the new engines do? People are unlikely to spend the time and energy and money to build something that doesn't work as some have claimed.

 

The Norton rotary morphed into the AE50 engine from Austro. Used in one UAV helo and Schleicher motorgliders. Very smooth but the engine needs disassembly every 5 years to replace a belt. Someone I know has one in a motorglider and after 40 running hours, despite meticulous operation and maintenance, all compression went away. New motor required . A$40,000. This isn't the answer you are looking for in an aircraft engine..

[facthunter]

A lot of motorcycle engines made it into aeroplanes over the years. Being generally aircooled helped that and often they are more advanced than auto engines , especially in the past. Not all wankels are equal. The tip seals are the issue. They reckon if they will start they will get you home... Useful for specialised sport craft maybe? So many promises of revolutionary engines .Surely the odds are against something good on balance of what's already been there and fallen short. The limited market and variation of operating conditions make it not for the faint hearted.. Everybody HOPES of course. I've put reasons why I'm sceptical of SOME claims. Not just knocking it out of hand, for the sake of it. Nev

[Marty_d]

I've talked to a bloke in South Africa who's seen a few BMW motors converted with the German TakeOff redrive.

His verdict was "If you want to spend your day fiddling with your engine, then go for a BMW motor - if you want to fly, get a Rotax."

[facthunter]

I'd say get a Continental 0 200 with a light starter and alternator. Trouble is they are all hightime. Nev

[M61A1]

it's not ONLY the lack of interchangeability of parts over the model range , 2/3rds of the model range changed for the next year. I'm not anti Jap bikes. I've owned and worked on almost anything. but don't keep them for 20 years or you are not in the loop. Ride the miles and get a new one rather than try to keep the old jigger running.. Restoring one?? I just wouldn't. There's too much diemetal, neoprene, plastic guards and seat covers and the wiring looms just crack up and unreproduceable bits and tanks and frames corrode badly as there's NO attempt to treat the inside of anything for rust. THEY want you to buy the next Model. Why wouldn't they? That's how they make their money and if you built one from Parts it would cost about 15 times the actual price so repairs quickly become uneconomic. even if you do the labour for nothing. For a Honda Farm bike I had I got a pocket full of small parts that cost what the bike was worth, even at trade discount. Only did that once. You have to know when to quit them. Nev

There are quite a few Jap bikes from the 70s and 80s that are considered collectables now. Repro parts are being made and often original parts are still available. Vintage motocross also has a significant following and motocrossers from the same years are fetching good money.

I have two Suzukis that are well over 30 years old and parts are still available.

[facthunter]

Yes, My eldest son does it big time, and I've had plenty myself. .Most parts are old stock and many essential bits could not not easily be remanufactured.. You still have the large variation of parts over years and models. On the road bikes, a few have very "suspect" frames...An accident "somewhere" will throw a cat among the pigeons if some extra care isn't taken. Hardly any can have a sidecar fitted easily .The metal section is quite thin. Nev

[Old Koreelah]

...On the road bikes, a few have very "suspect" frames...

My otheir excellent Yamaha 650 seemed to have a hinge in the frame which manifested itself in death wobbles at the worst moments, including once while I was riding straight ahead at only 80k; triggered by my leather greatcoat being open to the breeze.

 

One regular contributor to Rev (or was it AMCN?) used to post entertaining stories about his "860 Ducati (in Mach III frame)".

[facthunter]

Corrosion is the worst aspect (from INSIDE") Some of the tubing is very thin in wall thickness. IF they have been near salt they are landfill .. The POM frames generally are much better for repairing and initial life and are heavier and a lot of the alloys weld better. There are some exceptions. Magnesium whoever uses it is a difficult thing to live with especially if it's part of a cooling system. Liquid cooled bike engines may have unpleasant surprises when you get old ones. Nev