Author Topic: Wow!!! I Like it! (Read 5793 times)

NorEaster · **on:** January 15, 2015, 10:10:52 pm

http://www.royalenfields.com/2015/01/brand-new-royal-enfield-loses-weight.html

Catbird · **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2015, 11:06:30 pm

It looks kinda cool, but I'm not sure I'd like that exhaust pipe so close to my inner thigh. $:-\$

Arizoni · **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2015, 11:18:40 pm

If the owner wants to get rid of 2 more pounds of relatively worthless weight, he/she should remove those passenger foot pegs.
With the bolt that holds them in place, they weigh 1.0 pounds each.

mattsz · **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2015, 12:04:13 am

According to the write-up, the rear rack supports a pillion pad, so they left the pegs on.

Maybe I just have freakishly long legs, but that pipe wouldn't come anywhere my inner thigh - mine are up near the tank. Half-way up my inner calf, though... ooh boy, you're right!

Adrian II · **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2015, 12:17:48 am

They either need some more heat shields, or maybe this is a bike where some exhaust pipe wrap WOULD actually be a good idea.

A.

mattsz · **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2015, 12:57:24 am

I just noticed: the ol' crankcase vent filter rears its head again...

NorEaster · **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2015, 01:40:43 am

There's a lot there that I really like there... makes me want to get another C5 and do it up in a similar way. But I know if I did, I'd have to make the garage livable 'cause the wife would make me move into it...lol...
Yup... that pipe looks dangerous and needs more shielding. Heck, even the Triumph Scrambler pipes make me wonder. They took a bunch off the bike but there are a lot of bits that make it really look cool to me.

pmanaz1973 · **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2015, 02:04:40 am

Quote from: mattsz on January 17, 2015, 12:57:24 am

I just noticed: the ol' crankcase vent filter rears its head again...

Yes, I noticed that as well. I seem to notice all of the "crankcase breather mods" after I read ACE's write-up on that subject. Looks kind of cool, but likely has the shortcomings he mentioned.

Surfernick · **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2015, 07:10:03 am

I am impressed! Thanks for posting the link.☺
I am tempted to try to replicate the look. It would be nice to be able to get the parts list and see what it would cost to swap out the parts...

NorEaster · **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2015, 11:55:56 am

I bet if you looked up the dealer and asked them, they would help you out. The whole aspect of being mostly a bolt on customization interests me.

Surfernick · **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2015, 04:07:27 pm

I'll see if I can send the dealer an email. I'm intrigued by the bolt-on conversion aspect too because one can always return the bike to stock if needed.

JohnDL · **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2015, 04:40:27 pm

Hitchcocks do a very similar version too:
http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/page.php?currentpageref=6133

John

Craig McClure · **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2015, 08:05:00 pm

I LIKE IT AS WELL. The Hitchcock's Pipe appears to have more of a curve-in to it, that would better accommodate the riders leg. where it straightens out, any number of heat shields are available that would fit.
I remember many Brit Trails exhausts that would wrap around the front of the frame toward the left side, allowing more inward bend to accommodate a leg, some even cut back through the frame to a small lozenge style muffler on the right rear (they were my favorite) I think on a BSA Victor 441.

gashousegorilla · **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2015, 08:16:36 pm

NICE Bike ! Baxter Cycle does some good stuff.

Quote from: mattsz on January 17, 2015, 12:57:24 am

I just noticed: the ol' crankcase vent filter rears its head again...

The UCE motor maintains ZERO crankcase pressure throughout the rpm range with a filtered or open crank vent like that. Certainly better IMHO, then the case going positive with a blocked or restricted air box or filter. You can hook a gauge up to one of the inspection plugs in the side covers , or at the oil fill and test it. Mine never goes positive... the needle may flick around a bit at idle. But under load, it's ZERO. Block or obstruct that breather ? And it will quickly go positive.

suitcasejefferson · **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2015, 08:17:58 am

I like the Hitchcocks version better. If RE wants to expand their line, they should do something like that. I know they sell the parts, but that gets expensive. They have the B5 standard, the C5, which I consider sort of a custom/cruiser, the cafe racer, a factory built scrambler would be perfect. I would be very interested in a scrambler with a full cradle frame, like the GT.

ace.cafe · **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2015, 11:10:18 am

Quote from: pmanaz1973 on January 17, 2015, 02:04:40 am

Yes, I noticed that as well. I seem to notice all of the "crankcase breather mods" after I read ACE's write-up on that subject. Looks kind of cool, but likely has the shortcomings he mentioned.

The UCE is different than the older model engines.
However, I would still say that the filter is not needed because there should be no air going IN there, only OUT.

SteveThackery · **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2015, 11:27:23 am

Quote from: ace.cafe on January 21, 2015, 11:10:18 am

The UCE is different than the older model engines.
However, I would still say that the filter is not needed because there should be no air going IN there, only OUT.

Won't it go in and out, as the piston goes up and down? Or is there an internal duckbill? (I can't remember).

ace.cafe · **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2015, 12:33:03 pm

Quote from: SteveThackery on January 21, 2015, 11:27:23 am

Won't it go in and out, as the piston goes up and down? Or is there an internal duckbill? (I can't remember).

I haven't dissected that part yet, but as I continue disassembling this blown UCE engine that I have here now, I will know that answer.
However, my conjecture at this time is that there would be some internal device for controlling breathing. I'm sure there is at least an air/oil separator baffle, and perhaps a valve of some sort. If not, then there will be pumping losses of some degree there, and that would not be good in any respect, and there should not be air entering there for any operational reasons.

As has been previously discussed, the UCE wet sump design has much more crankcase volume than the old dry sump models, so that helps. But as we see from GHG's comment above, if the hole is blocked, he recorded pressure increase, so it needs to vent out. This is expected. But if it then takes air back IN, then that doubles the pumping loss and loses the advantage of negative crankcase pressure.

Soon I will see for myself exactly what is in there. I am busy at the moment with the other projects going on, but I will get to it. If I find a way to improve the system, I will.

mattsz · **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2015, 02:10:24 pm

I'm surprised this hasn't been settled by now. Neither the parts catalog nor the service manual show or mention a valve or anything which might control the breathing. But there must be someone who has had that part of the engine opened up enough to know what's going on in there.

Looking forward to your discoveries, ACE...

ace.cafe · **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2015, 02:14:50 pm

Quote from: mattsz on January 21, 2015, 02:10:24 pm

I'm surprised this hasn't been settled by now. Neither the parts catalog nor the service manual show or mention a valve or anything which might control the breathing. But there must be someone who has had that part of the engine opened up enough to know what's going on in there.

Looking forward to your discoveries, ACE...

It would not hurt it to put a duckbill valve on the breather outlet. It would prevent the return of any air into the crankcase, and it would not impede any expulsion function. So , in the interim, installing a duckbill would do no harm, and in the event that no other valve is present, it could have benefit.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #20 on:** January 21, 2015, 07:30:06 pm

+1. I think there is a labyrinth in there to keep the oil from splashing out but no valve. Venting to the air cleaner as OEM does makes sure there is always some negative pressure and clean air getting sucked in if that happens. I've had that side cover off many times and there is a gasket for the vent chamber, but as it was never leaking I never opened it to change it, so not totally sure what lurks inside.

Scott

gashousegorilla · **Reply #21 on:** January 21, 2015, 10:43:21 pm

There is no check valve in the pub at the breather exit on the side cover, there is no check valve inside the breather chamber/labyrinth. But it works. And I would be cautious about putting a duckbill or checkvalve, reed valve, Krank vent etc. On the end of that breather without checking to see what it does to the pressure in the case..... You may get a bit of negative pressure? Which MAY help slightly ? Or it MAY add a restriction and increase the pressure.... not good. I would just check the pressure and see how it reacts with what ever you stick on there.

I don't fully understand how system works... But I do know that a restriction WILL increase pressure. I think the way the system works has to do with the volume of the chamber, it's labyrinth design... partial Tesla valve? , the inlet and out let locations of the breather and oil level. It does not let much air in at all. You can test this by trying to blow in. And you will find .... at least I did.... that you wont be able to get half of your breath out before it stops and you cant blow in anymore. It seems like you are filling the breather chamber, and nothing beyond that. And certainly, there should be enough volume in that entire Engine case to get a breath into. Remove or loosen the the oil fill ?.... and you can blow in to your hearts content.

Again, I get zero crankcase pressure throughout the RPM range. and it acts as a one way valve. One MAY at times get some negative manifold pressure on the breather through the hookup at the air box ? Not sure, as I no longer have one. But someone should check that on a stock bike .......

suitcasejefferson · **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2015, 03:22:23 am

It seems to me that on a single cylinder engine, or a 360 degree twin, when the piston(s) go down, there is going to be a decrease in crankcase volume, which will create pressure, which has to go somewhere. When the piston goes back up, the crankcase volume increases, which would create negative pressure, and would require that air go back into the crankcase, or it would otherwise create negative pressure in the crankcase.

I went out and started my XT225, another single cylinder bike, and pulled off the crankcase vent hose. I couldn't hardly feel anything at the crankcase vent fitting on the engine. Loosening the oil cap however, created very strong pulses, definitely pushing pressure (and oil mist) out, and sucking air back in.

I am an auto mechanic (retired) and never had to deal with this situation. Truth is I never gave it much thought. But I would be interested in finding out how it works.

I would still like to see RE build a factory scrambler, for about the cost of the GT. I could almost for sure convince myself to buy one.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2015, 06:42:30 am

It matters less in a car engine since they're almost always multi-cylinder. Some pistons going up, some coming down, it helps to balance things out. On a single with large displacement and a small crankcase, it's as bad as it can get.

I suspect you're XT has a one way valve which is why you didn't feel much at the vent but did at the oil filler.

Scott