Horny Leaning Valve

robs ss · Sep 22, 2022

Has anyone ever seen one of these?
Better still, have an idea of how to set it up?
It came with the 1928 ES2 - it's a Binks carb with the "trumpeted" valve which bolts to the LH front engine mount. The cable goes to a LH "throttle" which allows you to introduce air between the carb and inlet port.
Interesting idea! Apparently it was OEM on this bike but the PO could not get it to run correctly.
Cheers

Fast Eddie · Sep 22, 2022

Assuming the PO isn’t winding you up, what an amazing device.

Looks like a piston hole creator to me!

I hope someone knowledgeable chimes in and explains it all.

And I wonder if this is an example of the posts we’ll see in 50 years time about Amal choke slides ?!?

robs ss · Sep 23, 2022

IMHO it's too well made to be a wind-up.

Bonzo · Sep 23, 2022

I'm sure that is the contraption made by the inventor Caractacus Potts to make a full English family breakfast.

baz · Sep 23, 2022

Looks brilliant!

robs ss · Sep 23, 2022

I have been told by someone who "knows" that there are modern versions of these in competition in order to get around carb or inlet throat limitations. Just have to set the carb up a bit rich then introduce the "right" amount of air. Gives the effect of a bigger carb.

MichaelB · Sep 23, 2022

Adjustable Ram Air....
Pretty cool.

Is there a choke?
Can't see one.

robs ss · Sep 23, 2022

MichaelB said:
Adjustable Ram Air....
Pretty cool.

Is there a choke?
Can't see one.

No choke - but starts easily

MichaelB · Sep 23, 2022

My guess is carb is set up rich to start, should be leaned out as driven.
A little backwards from what we do now. Then again, it was in the beginning.
Love these old mechancial things.....

Fast Eddie · Sep 24, 2022

I sent a picture of your mysterious contraption to my mate who into pre war stuff in a big way.

He said it’s a vacuum powered siren!

Maybe it was a police bike or similar ?

robs ss · Sep 24, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
I sent a picture of your mysterious contraption to my mate who into pre war stuff in a big way.

He said it’s a vacuum powered siren!

Maybe it was a police bike or similar ?

Thanks for that - I'll test it.
Then again, what drug is your mate on?

Cheers

EDIT: Just did that - no noise just variable airflow. Ask him when he's sober

Fast Eddie · Sep 24, 2022

robs ss said:
Thanks for that - I'll test it.
Then again, what drug is your mate on?
Cheers

EDIT: Just did that - no noise just variable airflow. Ask him when he's sober

How did you test it?

He assures me he’s serious. Says he’s got one.

robs ss · Sep 24, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
How did you test it?

He assures me he’s serious. Says he’s got one.

I actually just sucked on the pipe while varying the opening. Not terribly scientific I know.
Not a squeak.
Why would you have a LH throttle and cable to adjust a siren?
I'll have a further go at testing it - sounds (pun) a bit dodgy to me though!
I'll test that theory with the PO too.
Cheers

PS: thanks for following this through!

Fast Eddie · Sep 24, 2022

Well… you never mentioned the left hand throttle… is that what it has ?

Unless you have hulk lungs, blowing and sucking aint gonna do owt !

I had a car that had the windscreen wipers powered by intake vacuum, don’t think I’d have got ‘em going by sucking !

Pre war electrics couldn’t power a siren. Many bikes had sirens that had a lever lowering a wheel onto the tyre in order to power a siren. I wouldn’t discount my mates theory just yet…

Fast Eddie · Sep 24, 2022

Am getting your photo circulated amongst vintage circles so hope to have more opinions soon …

Triton Thrasher · Sep 24, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
I sent a picture of your mysterious contraption to my mate who into pre war stuff in a big way.

He said it’s a vacuum powered siren!

Maybe it was a police bike or similar ?

You can still buy one.

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baz · Sep 24, 2022

Fast Eddie said:
I sent a picture of your mysterious contraption to my mate who into pre war stuff in a big way.

He said it’s a vacuum powered siren!

Maybe it was a police bike or similar ?

How would you make a siren work from a vacuum?
I'm not saying it can't but surely it'd have to have a large diaphragm of sorts to resonate and make sound?

Fast Eddie · Sep 24, 2022

baz said:
How would you make a siren work from a vacuum?
I'm not saying it can't but surely it'd have to have a large diaphragm of sorts to resonate and make sound?

Dunno. But see post #16 !

EstuaryBoy · Sep 24, 2022

I would assume it's just working from air movement across a reed or aperture or similar. The fact it's 'reversible' (suck or blow) suggests this, but it must be momentarily otherwise you'd destroy the vacuum source, no?

Triton Thrasher · Sep 24, 2022

EstuaryBoy said:
I would assume it's just working from air movement across a reed or aperture or similar. The fact it's 'reversible' (suck or blow) suggests this, but it must be momentarily otherwise you'd destroy the vacuum source, no?

Vacuum brakes, wipers and windscreen washers didn’t destroy the vacuum source.

Horny Leaning Valve

robs ss

Fast Eddie

robs ss

Bonzo

baz

robs ss

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

robs ss

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

Fast Eddie

robs ss

Fast Eddie

robs ss

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

Triton Thrasher

1953 53 Chevy Air Intake Manifold Whistle Horn vintage engine cold interior | johnnylawmotors.com

baz

Fast Eddie

EstuaryBoy

Triton Thrasher

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