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16H cruising speed

Submitted by mikael_ridderstad on Wed, 10/08/2016
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I spent a couple of hours yesterday changing to original size main jet and fixing the front brake. Usual routine with chalk, file and emery tape. As it was pleasant weather, I took her out for a test run. The bike behaved well, but after some 25 miles it started to rain so I went home. Now to my questions. Is 45 to 50 MPH a normal cruising speed? Is 60 a normal top speed. Above 50 the vibrations are quite unpleasant. Only problem with her was that she blew all bulbs and the battery had changed to a football shape. Guess I'll make a conversation about that in the electrical section.

Mike

Submitted by neil_wyatt on Wed, 10/08/2016

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Mike, your bikes performance sounds about right and in line with mine, though I find 30-45 mph, anywhere in that range my ideal for cruising. Fastest I have been on mine is 55 mph, above that was blowing up speed!!! But all of that depends on gearing, many have a side car engine sprocket.

You certainly have an issue with your overcharging, that is for someone else but until then, it sounds like a new battery and bulbs + running with the lights on?

As for the gender of your bike, all of mine are male, strangely, with the exception of my 16H (female) but that is because it is a 'sod' or something to start when hot, down to me not investing in a mag overhaul.

Submitted by george_phillips on Wed, 10/08/2016

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Which type of battery is (was!) it, Mike? I only ask as I had one that did that on my ES2 and found out too late that it was the wrong type of battery for the old Lucas AVC. George

Submitted by mikael_ridderstad on Wed, 10/08/2016

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The battery was a tiny1.2 Ah italian one inside a carved out Lucas. I did examine the MCR2 regulator and found a completely stuck field controlling relay. I think that a DVR-2 solid state regulator is a sensible purchase. Obviously the generator produced enough power to create some havoc. By the way, what type is the small bulb in the front lamp? Could it be a BA9s?

Mike

Submitted by david_cooper on Wed, 10/08/2016

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I would not say vibration was a big issue with my 16H at 50 mph. But I'd say 60 was about the fastest I run it. And not for very long. Mostly because of mechanical sympathy. Ear plugs make them go faster of course...Mine has rubber mounted handlebars but of course I have no idea how effective they are (and I don't intend to remove them to experiment).But I enjoy riding it on the types of roads it was designed for. These were FAST machines compared with the Austin 7 the bloke next door was so proud of!I've gone for super robust LED pilot and tail lamps. And a modern voltage regulator. One of my headlight filaments has gone. I think the best place for the headlight bulb is in the toolbox until it is actually needed.My bulbs were from 'dynamoregulatorconversions'. He also provides a guide to the myriad different types of bulbs.

Submitted by david_cooper on Wed, 10/08/2016

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The WD bikes have an 18 engine sprocket (according to Bacon) but prewar may have 20. For the same revs that gives 60 instead of 54mph. Bacon says the low WD gearing was to help slow speeds with marching men! I don't use it for that very often.

Submitted by george_phillips on Thu, 11/08/2016

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Hi Mikael - I have some views on the battery/LED issue but feel that I will be pulling this topic off-thread if I air them. If you start a new thread in "Electrical" I'll comment there.Cheers, George

 


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