Horny Leaning Valve

robs ss

robs ss

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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
Horny Leaning Valve
 
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 ?!?
 
I'm sure that is the contraption made by the inventor Caractacus Potts to make a full English family breakfast.
 
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.
 
Adjustable Ram Air....
Pretty cool.

Is there a choke?
Can't see one.
 
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.....
 
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 ?
 
Last edited:
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 ?
Click to expand...
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;)
 
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;)
Click to expand...
How did you test it?

He assures me he’s serious. Says he’s got one.
 
Fast Eddie said:
How did you test it?

He assures me he’s serious. Says he’s got one.
Click to expand...
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!
 
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…
 
Am getting your photo circulated amongst vintage circles so hope to have more opinions soon …
 
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 ?
Click to expand...
You can still buy one.

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TRGH167: Bring back the Sounds of Old with the Los Lobos Vintage Wolf Whistle Horn System! This vintage wolf whistle features a slick design that works from a v
www.johnnylawmotors.com www.johnnylawmotors.com
 
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 ?
Click to expand...
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?
 
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?
 
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?
Click to expand...
Vacuum brakes, wipers and windscreen washers didn’t destroy the vacuum source.
 
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