"twiggy" or "porky the pig"

NENO club friend Dan came by today for a combat case scavenge modification, His nice clean cases were easily done in under a half hour "under the knife"(drill/grinder). Besides popping out the case mating hollow dowels and the two timing chest 1/4" dowel pins which also are only a slip fit when new/clean and unrusted and glued by sealer residue.
He happened to mention as part of a discussion that a NHT(commando) must weigh 200lb. I said not even close... I used the simple fact that I am not that big (162 lbs) and strong any more to heave around a complete NHT if it was that much.
When this spring before the Michigan rally, I installed my complete combat engine into the rolling chassis, I simply lifted the engine out of the engine assembly stand, swung around, and set it down into the frame and had the 3 rear engine cradle bolts installed in well under 5 minutes.
So tonight I was in bed and was mulling the days events. I was so curious and was not falling asleep, So I got back up out of bed and came downstairs to the shop with the bathroom scales under arm to weigh one of my complete engines. Only one was easily moveable due to the normal amount of severe over clutter. So I had my complete 63 atlas engine (no magneto) and set it on the scales with my normal engine stand and got 87 lbs.
Story is now typed up and I'm getting sleepy and it's time for bed.

Labatt’s, Dave, is the key. Kick the hamsters off the wheel fair & proper.

I don't know what a complete Commando motor, gear box, primary and Featherbed bottom engine plates front and rear weight but I lift this set up off my workbench and drop it into my frame and do the same when pulling it out, I am no mussle man and its is heavy but I can do it on my own I am not lifting it over my head, its quick and easy and four bolts and as you say only 5 minute, takes me longer to put the carbies and head stay back on.

Ashley

Well when I last had my race engine on the bathroom scales it was pretty close to 40Kilos (88lb) No belt pulley, inlet manifold, ignition or ignition cover installed. So I guess compared to your Atlas we should say most will be similar!

Maney race cases, Maney short stroke 750 crank, iron barrels, JSM rods and pistons, Fullauto head.

I was planning to install my Maney cylinders to get nearer 35Kilos, but I put a set of sleeved iron ones on instead!

Ac

ashman said:

I don't know what a complete Commando motor, gear box, primary and Featherbed bottom engine plates front and rear weight but I lift this set up off my workbench and drop it into my frame and do the same when pulling it out, I am no mussle man and its is heavy but I can do it on my own I am not lifting it over my head, its quick and easy and four bolts and as you say only 5 minute, takes me longer to put the carbies and head stay back on.

Ashley

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Ashley compared to me you are Charles Atlas, the motor alone is enough for me!

SteveA said:

Ac


Ashley compared to me you are Charles Atlas, the motor alone is enough for me!

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No not really waiting for someone to show up to give me a hand when needed doesn't always workout, so I never ask no more if I can't do it myself, as I say it is heavy but can be done, its a struggle to get it up on the work bench but I can do it, getting it off the bench is easy lol, its funny I always help my mates when they need a hand but it don't seem to work the other way around when I need a quick hand and I do remember and let them know when they need me, but I always help out, its just me, but I no long drop things I am doing to rush to their needs.

Ashley

I read somewhere a Commando engine weighs 90 lbs. I can shift one but installing the bolts and such is a pain. I prefer to strip and build the engines in the frame. The head can be a bit of a struggle in the frame but after doing a few of them, it only takes me about 5 minutes. I do have a Harbor Freight bike lift so everything is at the right height to work on.

Nothing better than rebuilding a motor or working on a motor while up on the work bench having it set up on a good engine stand makes putting the cylinders and head on so much easier than while its in the frame, my Commando/Featherbed is set up for easy motor, gearbox, primary and bottom engine mounts removal and install when installing the whole lot just drops into position and holes are usually lined up for the bolts to go straight in, it takes me longer to remove or install the top head stay and carbies, even if I have to do GB work its easier for me to pull the whole unit out and doing everything on the bench.
But its a bit more time comsuming with a Commando.

Ashley

What type of head steady mount do you use in the featherbed? I have fabricated a mount with an alloy plate, frame clamps and rubber bobbins for my Rickman to give the frame an easier time, the solid mounts fractured with vibration reasonably regularly.

I read somewhere on this forum that 140 lbs is the weight of a standard complete kickstart 850 with trans, engine cradle and complete primary with covers, carbs etc.
Not sure if that included the isos. I suspect not.
This is relatively light ,a Vincent engine is 200 lbs+-

Glen

SteveA said:

What type of head steady mount do you use in the featherbed? I have fabricated a mount with an alloy plate, frame clamps and rubber bobbins for my Rickman to give the frame an easier time, the solid mounts fractured with vibration reasonably regularly.

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My head stay is 5mm steel using all 3 bolts on the frame mounts and 3 allen head bolts on the head mount, been like that for over 38 years and has never cracked.

Ashley

worntorn said:

I read somewhere on this forum that 140 lbs is the weight of a standard complete kickstart 850 with trans, engine cradle and complete primary with covers, carbs etc.
Not sure if that included the isos. I suspect not.
This is relatively light ,a Vincent engine is 200 lbs+-

Glen

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Holly crap I must be a mussle man as mine has everything together except the carbs when I lift it in or out of the frame.

Ashley

Ashley
Wecome then, to the mussle man club. I have not measured everything, not that is really means a lot. I do wonder if the inclusion of the primary/clutch/tin adds much? (15K?) I've done it several times, except engine/trans only, no primary....and no weights measured.

I am building a old Shovel Head Super Glide for a uncle and I can tell you its motor just by itself is heavyyyyy and I need a extra pair of hands or should I say mussles to lift that old heavy bitch.

Ashley

Definitely Twiggy



From 1974 brochure.
Andy