inline honda four/indian four replica

[Unkl Ian]

I was guessing you wanted something less expensive.
more powerful, and easier to find parts for.

 

[wannaby]

True.... yes all those things would be nice but then again I would be happy with an older unrestored nimbus for under 5 g,s I could live with that....Den

 

[Unkl Ian]

http://www.bikeexif.com/custom-indian-four

 

[Unkl Ian]

http://www.bikeexif.com/nimbus-motorcycle

 

[wannaby]

Another fine specimen website says the cases were cast special so guess the same could be done with the honda engine....wish cook customs had more info.....Den

 

[Unkl Ian]

Yes, I remember reading that in a magazine,
he had a crankcase cast to accept the Honda pieces.
Then a bunch of machining to make the block usable.

The TQ Midget guys used to just cut the trans off,
and cover the opening with an Aluminum plate.
Brutal and effective, but not world class show bike standards.

 

[wannaby]

Cant find any info on the TQ midget guys or some images of their motorworks would be nice to find to get some ideas of how to do it cheap and dirty.I dont care about world showbike quality.Den

 

[Unkl Ian]

Most of the guys run transmissions now,
the last one I saw up close was 20+ years ago.

Looked something like this:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=63281.0
The side cover was a flat Aluminum plate
with a crude pick up for the dry sump.
Without a transmission, the cars were push started.

 

[Unkl Ian]

Easy enough to make a nice finned side cover.

The things I'm not real sure of,

connecting the crank to the clutch/transmission, and a starter.

 

[wannaby]

Verrrryy...interesting...didnt know the side of the case would be so easy to get to and like ya say a finned type cover fabbed up from aluminum plate figger out some way to attach a bmw type trans and mayby shaft drive what do the boss hog V8 motorcycles use for a trans seems doable....now where is an old cbx honda 550 or 750....gotta keep my eyes peeled ...dont think there would be issues with rear cylinders heating up on something like this .......gotta try it ti find out......thanks for the link ian.Lets try to keep this post going the more info the better...Den

 

[Unkl Ian]

Forget the V8 bikes, they are direct drive, and very expensive.

Maybe a Honda CX 650 trans, 5 speed, shaft drive;since they are a separate unit.

The 650 gears are wider/stronger than the 500.

 

[Unkl Ian]

Lowered, raked, with struts

 

[Unkl Ian]

Cook modified a BMW 3 speed case, to accept 4 speed gears,
and used a Yamaha Virago shaft drive.

http://bikernetmetricnews.blogspot.com/2009/11/dave-cooks-rambler-honda-cb550.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1MwqlCPmQ...AAAiY/IHwvE51TiIc/s640/dave-cook-rambler1.jpg

[cl

 

[wannaby]

So lets see I need to find a cb 550,750 and mayby a cx honda 650 wonder how many junkers are out there seems like the cb hondas are getting to be a little rare these days as guys are starting to restore them....thinking of posting on the overhead cam four forum if anybody has done something like this but dont want to insult the purists by taking a honda and turning the motor sideways ... they will probably say WHY????.haha.

 

[Unkl Ian]

Maybe try bike wrecking yards.
eg: http://www.bikeboneyard.com/new%20stuff.html
http://www.motorcycle-recycle-center.com/pictures_of_the_yard.htm

My guess was a Honda CX trans and rear axle
would be less $$$ than a BMW or 'Guzzi.

This is where research comes in, LOTS of it.
You might find one trans easier to adapt than others.

I'm guessing there are motors better suited
than the 40+ yr old old CB750.

 

[Unkl Ian]

Goldwing trans seems to be part of the engine block.
Cross that one off the list.

 

[Unkl Ian]

Cook ...and used a Yamaha Virago shaft drive.

Virago is a V-twin cruiser, kinda like a Harley.
Crank sits the wrong way, so that trans is no good.

I'm guessing Cook liked the look of the rear hub.

 

[wannaby]

Thanks for the links Ya 40 year old honda ...may not be a good choice but the newer ones look kind of top heavy with all the bulging rocker covers thought the old cb were bullet proof.

 

[Unkl Ian]

Yes, the newer bike motors look a little "high tech".
Might look better if they were smoothed and polished.

Definitely remove any manufacturers markings.

 

[Unkl Ian]

http://hondachopper.com/

Might find some CB motors in the forum.