Drouin (2017)

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Hi, I'm having a hard time navigating the new format.

But My Drouin is still running strong.

No problems but after a long rest, it needs a shot of starting fluid to save my legs but once started it will start usually start 1 st kick for daily runs.

The only problem I have is the Duc & Norton are different foot / clutch so i usually take out the Duc.

When I do ride the Norton it"s a Trip. Almost the same acceleration as the Duc, It feels like 1/2 size compared to the ST3S

Bruce MacGregor
 
Hi, I'm having a hard time navigating the new format.

But My Drouin is still running strong.

No problems but after a long rest, it needs a shot of starting fluid to save my legs but once started it will start usually start 1 st kick for daily runs.

The only problem I have is the Duc & Norton are different foot / clutch so i usually take out the Duc.

When I do ride the Norton it"s a Trip. Almost the same acceleration as the Duc, It feels like 1/2 size compared to the ST3S

Bruce MacGregor
Hello Bruce
I'm Peter from Germany. I'm following this Drouin thread since a while.
As I am now a proud owner of one of these, I would like to know where to get new bearings from.
Are there any alternatives to the Barden bearings?
Best regards from Duesseldorf
Pete
Drouin (2017)
 
Hello Bruce
I'm Peter from Germany. I'm following this Drouin thread since a while.
As I am now a proud owner of one of these, I would like to know where to get new bearings from.
Are there any alternatives to the Barden bearings?
Best regards from Duesseldorf
PeteView attachment 8286
The type you have bis a twin belt it's the earlier version than Bruce has
The bearings are unobtainable as far as I know
Are you certain your bearings are shot?
You can prize the side plate off and pack with silicone grease if they are serviceable
 
Hi, I'm having a hard time navigating the new format.

But My Drouin is still running strong.

No problems but after a long rest, it needs a shot of starting fluid to save my legs but once started it will start usually start 1 st kick for daily runs.

The only problem I have is the Duc & Norton are different foot / clutch so i usually take out the Duc.

When I do ride the Norton it"s a Trip. Almost the same acceleration as the Duc, It feels like 1/2 size compared to the ST3S

Bruce MacGregor

Best advice I have about riding both of these is to put a GT shifter on the Duc, so at least it's the same pattern, just a different foot. The Norton gearbox is sooo much nicer on your foot!
 
Hello Bruce I'm Peter from Germany. I'm following this Drouin thread since a while. As I am now a proud owner of one of these, I would like to know where to get new bearings from. Are there any alternatives to the Barden bearings? Best regards from Duesseldorf Pete

I can only suggest you remove the bearings and look on the side for the bearing part number, then go to a bearing factor supplier and ask if they have any the same. HTH
 
Hello Bruce I'm Peter from Germany. I'm following this Drouin thread since a while. As I am now a proud owner of one of these, I would like to know where to get new bearings from. Are there any alternatives to the Barden bearings? Best regards from Duesseldorf Pete

I can only suggest you remove the bearings and look on the side for the bearing part number, then go to a bearing factor supplier and ask if they have any the same. HTH
Nobody makes these bearings anymore
And the problem with them is the bearings have a ceiling of 20.000 rpm but the supercharger can run up to nearly 40.000 rpm
The answer for bearing life could be deep groove ceramic bearings
If you could persuade a manufacturer to make you some!!
 
https://www.bardenbearings.com/content.barden.us/us/products/products_1.jsp
division of FAG/INA bearing
Broken link removed
Part of Schaeffler Group
Barden is in Danbury Connecticut, just up the road from my home town. They are still there and I need a half dozen of their turbine bearings @ were about $175 each, ceramic over $250 each. I have 3 drouins to get running....
I was under the impression they were rpm limited based on the grease specified. 60,000 rpm sounds better to me...
Norton Drouin Super Charger: http://atlanticgreen.com/ndsc.htm
 
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Looking for a Drouin setup, does anyone know of one? I had one bought but the ebay seller reneged on the deal I wonder why....

Drouin (2017)
 
I was under the impression they were rpm limited based on the grease specified. 60,000 rpm sounds better to me...

The following is a general statement that from what I have seen on bearing speed ranges, grease is for low speed extreme loads (ie. steering head and swing arm spindles). For extreme higher speeds, bearings perform better with oil misting. I think it has something to do with the amount of work the bearing would have to do to “push” the grease out of the way coupled with the rate it is doing the work “power”. The resultant heat would cook the bearings.

With misting, lubrication has a chance to get where it is needed whereas there’s no practical way that I am aware of (other than maybe a drilled feed through the race) where a minimal amount of grease could be introduced to the rolling elements.

I do recall that the bearings on my Drouins had some sort of metal shield but I never opened them up to inspect.
 
C101FFTx1K3
Oil is 89,000 and the G18 grease is for a measley 70,833.
I think we figured 40,000 seemed to be the working speed
I'd be looking for the ceramic version...
Oil misting would have to be designed and engineered into the system. I have thought plenty about this...
 
I would go ceramic, even if it required some machining. Never really looked into it.

From recollection, and as an example, the NJ306E has a catalog limiting speed of around 10,000 rpm and they recommend oil misting lubrication. For all intents and purpose, the Commando main bearing lubrication is misting............once you get past wet sump conditions.
 
According to the old instructions, he wanted you to balance the compressor rotor at 7 times engine speed = 49,000 RPM! It must've been way out of balance because a lot of material was removed from the one my room mate had.

The whole unit ended in the trash a couple years later. He thought it was a good place for it after a year or two of fighting with it!
 
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