calling all boffins!

the cats pajamas · 13-03-2014 12:26am #1

Which of these (if any) actually represents a bike engine or has something practical to teach about engines?

This one looks a bit to strokey to me.

http://www.en.boehm-stirling.com/hb7.html

also isn't this a cool website?

Hotblack Desiato · 13-03-2014 9:35am

Stirling engines are external combustion engines, they have little in common with car or bike internal combustion engines. They'd have more in common with a steam engine.

Internal combustion = the fuel is burned inside the working cylinder.

minidazzler · 13-03-2014 9:42am

If you're thinking of buying something relatively cheap to learn about engines then your best bet would be to buy an actual engine..... you'd get a single cylinder 125 engine for cheap enough I would think.

Pique · 13-03-2014 3:06pm

One of these is a good basic introduction to an I4 engine.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haynes-4-Cylinder-Combustion-Engine/dp/B000YX7OXO

Richard tea · 13-03-2014 4:17pm

minidazzler wrote: »

If you're thinking of buying something relatively cheap to learn about engines then your best bet would be to buy an actual engine..... you'd get a single cylinder 125 engine for cheap enough I would think.

I often thought about this. I have a 1994 cb400. If I wanted another engine to play/learn about with, what other engines are similar ( assuming I couldnt get my hands on another cb400 engine)?

Wossack · 13-03-2014 4:34pm

buy a knackered petrol lawnmower engine, and get it running

problem with a bike engine, is there may be a quite a lot of ancillaries needed to get it running under its own power on your bench

imo

Richard tea · 13-03-2014 4:52pm

Wossack wrote: »

buy a knackered petrol lawnmower engine, and get it running

problem with a bike engine, is there may be a quite a lot of ancillaries needed to get it running under its own power on your bench

imo

I know what you mean but it would be more stripping and putting it back together type of thing. I would give anything a bash but taking my own engine apart is a no no for now anyway.

Wossack · 13-03-2014 5:24pm

I'd personally try and get a lighter engine to start with - I'd say the lump in a cb400 is pretty heavy, so could limit what you're able to do / learn. Unless you buy a whole other bike.. :P principles of a 4stroke translate across the board, so dont be too worried - stuff you'll learn wrenching on a single will still apply to your il4 etc

CJhaughey · 13-03-2014 6:13pm

Honda GX 160 are a great engine to learn on, small, light, tunable and cheap.
They are pushrod but a nice engine to work on.
The Kawasaki series are similar and very tidy.

MonstaMash · 13-03-2014 6:42pm

Wossack wrote: »

buy a knackered petrol lawnmower engine, and get it running

problem with a bike engine, is there may be a quite a lot of ancillaries needed to get it running under its own power on your bench

imo

Cut my teeth with old Briggs & Strattons & a little bit of grandads tuition :cool:

gctest50 · 16-03-2014 10:02pm

Wossack wrote: »

I'd personally try and get a lighter engine to start with - I'd say the lump in a cb400 is pretty heavy, so could limit what you're able to do / learn.......

for sure - you'd need something handy sized