Smart tiger driving / ready!

[Crazymanneil]

Just a note that my bike is on the road with 400 miles or so far since it went through MOT on Saturday. The guys at the test centre were a little confused but tested it none the less. Attached are a couple of pics. Still to paint the side covers and the other little things, but since it works good now I've not been off it for long enough to do them

So I'm taking it to a local show on Saturday. This would be a fair trip away for most of you but I will be at the big knock too (touches wood).

Still figuring out what she'll do fuel and speed wise, but looks promising so far. Hard to measure fuel economy by tank topping since a small measuring difference makes a big difference in the calculation. It really needs a full tank through it to work it out properly. I think the exhaust is quite restrictive so thats the next thing I am looking at. Changing this will probably increase speed and maybe also economy.

Anyhoo, keep going out there and see (some of) you in June.

Neil

[coachgeo]

Sweeeeet. Congrats. Hope all goes well this weekend on its maiden big trip.

[IgorVigor]

Looking good! And very jealous

As for changing the can, improving the flow through the can will normally increase economy...

I remember you saying before about the MOT and a noisy can, but I personally see you have 3 options..

1 - Leave it as is... (boring option )
2 - Gut the current can (MOT probs perhaps though)
3 - Get a can of ebay cheap (I have seen things like micron race cans with no link pipes go for £20 :O)

if you got say a micron can, you could then gut the can completely, and then buy/make a baffle if you think its too loud
you could take out the perforated tube, and remove some/all of the packing.

I dont know if its safe/works, but I seem to remember hearing that for a little bit more noise, but much less restriction, if you replace the standard white woolly packing with steel wool, it makes a difference...

Just a few ideas...

Personally, I would just gut a can and have no silencing at all
Sounds the best

[Stuart]

Well done that man Can't wait to see it

[Crazymanneil]

Cheers. Didn't even get a dig about the posey pic, must be ok

Ta for the suggestions on the can. I think I'll try it with the thing completely off. Its fairly simple to unbolt. The standard one is also pretty heavy! She'll be noisey but we'll see what difference it makes. Strangely I think it is noiser with the pipe on (no can) than with it straight out of the turbo with no pipe on! If no can seems to make a difference then I'll hunt for a micron or similar as suggested and keep the other one as it is with baffles since its pretty heavy.

N

[coachgeo]

are you running out of one can or both?

[Anorak_ian]

Steel wool works but don't forget to take the soap out first

Well done.

[Crazymanneil]

Cheers coach, I was just going to add that I had to drop one can. I know that this will be not helping matters but theres no way to pipe the other one with the way it worked out (plus they are like 5kg each!). Might have been able to pipe it under the mudguard or something weird but decided it wasn't worth the hassle, a more straight through can with a little bit of siliencing seems the way forward. Or a couple of big smoke stacks with flappers on

N

[coachgeo]

Im with you on the weight reduction and going one can. Will be watching for your updates on this for selfish reasons. I want to go with one can too.

[IgorVigor]

It will be louder with no can, than just out of the back of the turbo...

The pipe from the turbo creates a resonance and ducts the sound to a more direct point...

Playing around with engines, I have found that with no pipe from the turbo, the sound level is pretty much the same where ever you stand.
With a pipe, its louder when you are near/in view of the end of the pipe, but quieter when not...

Good luck with what ever you decide

[albertaphil]

We had a big rototiller working around here this spring with an 8V92 Detroit Diesel V8 (2 cycle, for those who aren't familiar) running about 350hp and loaded up about 90% of the time. No turbo, just a pipe off each exhaust manifold running into what looked like mufflers, but they clearly didn't do much muffling...the machine could be heard for miles. Literally. And the old guy running the machine would start up at 4:00am, and run until 11:00pm, no joke. Anyway, the point of this story is that 2 cycle Detroits are loud anyway, and with 2 pipes pointing straight back from the machine, it was interesting to note where it was loudest. Strangely, it was quietest to stand directly behind the machine with the pipes pointed straight at me. Loudest was from 45 to 90 degrees to the side and a bit behind the machine. Further to the front of the machine it quieted down a bit from there. I guess the sound pressure waves expanded from the end of the pipe in the shape of a donut at right angles to the direction of the pipe, leaving less sound pressure in the middle. Any physicists or engineers can comment on this speculation. So if you're going to straight-pipe the Smiger, or Smartger, or whatever the name ends up being, it might be quietish for your mate riding behind you, but it may be louder for the cops or dumbstruck and jealous pedestrians. I like your idea about the flappers. Very blue collar and tractory:-)

By the way, incredible job, Neil. I'm glad you're on the road now, reaping the rewards of a long and difficult project. Happy motoring.

Cheers,
Phil

[IgorVigor]

I wouldnt mind a Detroit Diesel

Love them... Sadly, I couldnt afford the £10,000 for a pair of Detroit V12's ...

Even small straight pipes N/A diesels are loud...

If you have a straight pipe on an Escort Van 1.8D that can be heard almost a mile away...

[Crazymanneil]

Thanks for the replies. I took the can off last night and went for a run. In the time I was on it seemed to be a little more responsive in the midrange, probably coming on boost a little quicker. Quite a bit louder as expected but not as bad as a petrol bike with race can, probably due to the 'rotary muffler' Top end seemed around the same but unfortunately testing was cut short due to gearbox failure....

Brand new box, was sitting in garage for about 2 years til it was fitted (so no warranty probably). Not sure why this would happen? Grr

N

[Stuart]

As I said in the PM, I hope you can sort it before the rally. Still, glad it didn't have you off and down the road as can happen.
I see frantic spannering ahead...
...on reflection here, this being something of a landmark bike, surely there's a good case for Ultimate helping out Neil here isn't there?
Neil, phone Ultima's head office and put some pressure on them to help you out pronto. You have a good case for this!

[Crazymanneil]

thanks,

to say i'm unimpressed would be putting it mildly. can't see how its anything i did but won't rule it out til its stripped. box is over 2 yrs old due to time building bike but only used for 1 week spprox 500 miles! was using good silkolene oil too.

no number for ultima unless anyone here has one? will contact dealer and another custom builder...

n

[Byrdman]

Spectacular build Neil, absolutely awesome.

[andrewaust]

Yes great job on the bike mate, really looks the part, I bet your glad it's all done hey !!


A

[Crazymanneil]

Thanks guys.

One of the gears in my box is stripped and another a little rough looking though probably servicable. I imagine I'll have to buy the complete box rather than the individual parts so thats my next step. I think I've located the cause too which if I am right is partly my fault and part design weirdness of the box (all harley transmissions would be the same in this respect). Together we did a right old job Pics to follow today.

N

[Dan J]

Neil - real shame about the gearbox but great news that it wasn't some unidentifiable problem and you know you can sort it for next time. Shame it cost a gearbox but if it was going to happen then better now than half way to Billinghurst - or worse Hamm! Really looking forward to seeing the bike.

[Diesel Dave]

Neil that's a crying shame.

It's all bleeding edge stuff that we do so occasionally things are going to go pear shaped.

If it's not all ready in time for the Big Knock how about getting a flight to Stanstead, get Dan to give you a lift to my place and pick up either the Tiger or Sluggy and follow him down to Billingshurst? I'll still be running back from spain on a silly step through 125 but may be there for Sat evening if I can put on 400 miles in a day.

| can even leave a tent and sleeping bag/crash mat ready if you need it.

Dave

[Crazymanneil]

Dave,

That is rather unbelievable generosity! I bought the transmission internals for a 5 speed box today (out of a Harley). I have the gearbox from mine almost completely dismantled so hopefully tomorrow I can put the 5 speed stuff into it. Most of the bolt holes etc seem pretty standard although I expect one or two things to be awkward. I also need to do a little redesign to my final drive to make sure it does not happen again. I'll post up pics in a transmission thread. Hopefully all this means the bike should be back on the road in time (touches wood) but I'll keep you posted...

Neil

[Stuart]

Looks like you have things in hand there, Neil. Let me know if there's anything I can help with.

[IgorVigor]

Good luck fixing it

What was the problem then? (you said you were going to post pics)...

And what did you do which didnt help?

Just curious really...

[Stuart]

I'm sure Neil will explain all in good time At the moment his priority is getting the bike ready for a trip over water. Gearbox's, don't you just luv 'em

[IgorVigor]

I fully understand that

Gearboxes :S damn things are unpredictable ...

Really hope you can fix it in time :O

[Crazymanneil]

Understand the interest - heres the gearbox thread -

https://www.dieselbikeforum.com/view ... =22&t=1393

Am today swapping in 5 speed internals I was lucky to be able to buy from a local custom bike guy here yesterday. Hopefully they are standard enough to fit my existing case (which is still in the bike!).

N

[Crazymanneil]

Got the stuff all swapped over and bike going well though I think I will partially strip the box again to replace the needle roller bearing on the layshaft. The cage on it didn't look great and a new one was cheap, just hope its straightforward to install. Should be at the Big Knock all being well.

N

[IgorVigor]

Glad to hear that its all working again

[Stuart]

Nice one Neil Give me a call should you have problems coming to the rally. It's handy having a brother with a big van

[Anorak_ian]

Yay, well done on a speedy repair.

Look forward to taking a gander at the rally.