Hi all, I have recently aquired a 1961 40M Manx which has been stored indoors for over 10 years after I believe, a comprehensive rebuild. The work was done by Sandy Topen ... I would dearly like to get in touch with him to ask about the work done (which does appear to be excellent). No oil or petrol has been added since the rebuild (ie , its totally dry). I have turned the engine over via the mainshaft nut and it turns smoothly (spark plug removed). I am tempted to put some Castrol R in and turn the engine over via my electric starter rollers. I have been advised to disconect the oil pipe to the top end and check oil is getting "upstairs". I have a good spark at the plug. Providing I get good oil flow, its then petrol in and see if it will run. What do you think ? Of course, it would be preferable to hear from Sandy Topen that all will be OK. I have had amessage on the message board for the last few weeks but noreplies yet. Last Sunday I was at Prescott and chatted with a friendly Manx owner who said he had heard of Mr Topen , but not recently. He gave me some advice on starting, etc for which I am gratefull. Any further advice welcome. cheers, Bill Higginson
Wow - you must be itching…
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Previously wrote: Wow - yo…
Previously wrote:
Wow - you must be itching to get it started!
A 61 Manx would be a dream bike for me - alas, I have to make do with my 61 ES2 (poor man's Manx)
I guess as well as checking that oil is getting to the top end, another good check is to ensure that oil is getting back to the oil tank. If you can turn it over on your rollers with the plug out, then at least you can pump some oil around prior to actually running it.
I have read a few horror stories about Castrol R not keeping, and turning sludgy when left over a winter - so perhaps a concern if it has been left for many years?
As part of my ES2 rebuild, I was considering running on 'R' simply because I love the vintage smell so much, and I was in the fortunate position of having rebuilt the engine from scratch being able to make the choice, without worry about mixing/contamination.
The horror stories were enough to make me go for Silkolene Chatsworth 40 instead.
Good Luck with the bike, and please keep us all in the loop on how you are getting on with it!
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Previously wrote: Hi, sorr…
Previously wrote:
Hi, sorry about the delay in replying. I have now got my starter rollers up and running after buying a 3hp electric motor and a new sprocket to gear it down further than the sprocket supplied with the rollers. I will be using Castrol R40 as the oil tank is so far "dry" so contamination with mineral oil will not be a problem. Should be able to pick some up at the Staffford Show in a few weeks. I have been advised of a few issues. Disconect the oil feed to the cambox and turn the engine over until oil comes out of the pipe. Then spin it a bit longer to ensure the cam box has sufficient oil. Also, earth the spark plug when spinning the engine over ... evidently you can ruin a magneto if you dont. Also, when attempting start up ..... you can richen the mixture by "wobbling" the float bowl which has the same effect as a tickler. Not too much ... its easy to flood and "wet" the racing plug. I wonder if any other plug should be used at first ?
cheers, Bill
p.s. still no luck tracing Sandy Topen
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Wow - you must be itching to get it started!
A 61 Manx would be a dream bike for me - alas, I have to make do with my 61 ES2 (poor man's Manx)
I guess as well as checking that oil is getting to the top end, another good check is to ensure that oil is getting back to the oil tank. If you can turn it over on your rollers with the plug out, then at least you can pump some oil around prior to actually running it.
I have read a few horror stories about Castrol R not keeping, and turning sludgy when left over a winter - so perhaps a concern if it has been left for many years?
As part of my ES2 rebuild, I was considering running on 'R' simply because I love the vintage smell so much, and I was in the fortunate position of having rebuilt the engine from scratch being able to make the choice, without worry about mixing/contamination.
The horror stories were enough to make me go for Silkolene Chatsworth 40 instead.
Good Luck with the bike, and please keep us all in the loop on how you are getting on with it!