Topic: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD

[allen minaker]

Now that would be awsome , but I can tell you one thing you would be one tired puppy after a day of racing .

[Tom Fox]

Oh someday...one of each!!!

I'm debating right now between the opposed twin (CP) and V-TWIN (BP).

Love to run BP (V-TWIN) right now but it's one of those CATCH 22 things. If you only do certain things the ones you didn't do will fail (ex: spend money on cam, flywheel, head work....then the connecting rods will fail destroying all around them!). when all is said and done I'll have well over $2000.00 into the motor to do it right.

Then on an opposed twin...other than head work, valve train and a cam..that about all that you can do because of limited availability of performance parts! I can put together an opposed twin for less than half of that.....but then again I'm dealing with obsolete technology where replacement parts can be hard to come by.

Maybe I'll just throw the V-twin in see what she does in stock form!

[LVine2001]

"Iron Man" Dave Stratton ran 3 classes ap, sp & bp all of 06'.

Will he go for 5 (adding IMOW & fx) in 07'? 

Talk about a weight loss program.

He was wringing wet and grinnin' ear to ear, in Forest City Ia, last year.

[allen minaker]

Yeah that's why we call him the IRON MAN , your right though I don't think you could get that smile off his face at a race ....any race .

[Squidd]

This brings up an interesting topic/problem/conundrum...

How many classes do you run, can you run, should you run..???

Do not answer here and take this thread off topic...

I will start a new thread....and post link Here...

[Tom Fox]

Well back out to the garage again tonight!

Had to decided on my steering set-up and went with this:

Note* any'ol nuts and bolts were used for mock up purposes only. Hardware will be upgraded. Also, most brackets are only tacked into place and the steering arm off the shaft is going to be replaced with a one piece arm.

Steering links are hardend .375 solid rods with MALE threaded ends. The rod ends are FEMALE with .375 studs.

[mightymowe]

I was just thinking that looks a little goofy for geometry.When you turn all the way to the right the rod that comes from your steering wheel to the front almost goes over centre,if you hit a few bumps it could go over centre and lock there,unless it hits the pully on the engine and then you wont be able to turn all the way right anyway.
You might want to play with some different length linkages as well it looks like your steering wheel only turns about a 1/4 turn all the way from one side to the other,that is going to be very hard to steer(lots of effort on the wheel)especially with those big front tires,and really twitchy at speed.You want to try to get as much motion on the steering wheel as possible.I suggest about a 1/3 to 1/2 turn each way from center to each side it makes it much nicer to drive.

[Tom Fox]

I was just thinking that looks a little goofy for geometry.When you turn all the way to the right the rod that comes from your steering wheel to the front almost goes over centre,if you hit a few bumps it could go over centre and lock there,unless it hits the pully on the engine and then you wont be able to turn all the way right anyway.
You might want to play with some different length linkages as well it looks like your steering wheel only turns about a 1/4 turn all the way from one side to the other,that is going to be very hard to steer(lots of effort on the wheel)especially with those big front tires,and really twitchy at speed.You want to try to get as much motion on the steering wheel as possible.I suggest about a 1/3 to 1/2 turn each way from center to each side it makes it much nicer to drive.

It's just 1/4 turn lock to lock. Steering stops have not yet been installed and they will eliminate any over center issues.

Steering does not even come close to interfering with the pulley.

I am still going to refine it. I would like to get 1/4" turn from center to one direction. Overall I'm shooting for 1/2 a steering wheel turn lock to lock.

Even with the way it is now...it turns quite easy sitting on the ground in a static position. Obviously while moving it becomes eaisier.....but I DO want to get another 1/4 turn out of the steering wheel for the overall 1/2 turn lock to lock.

I think if I shorten the pitman arm of the steering shaft it may help may help.

Anyone else have suggestions?

[Squidd]

Thats some pretty wacked up geometry....

I'm sure it "works" in that it moves the wheels from side to side , but at what cost (tire scrub and instabilty)..??

Center tie rod ends should be "side by side" rather than front and back as shown...the way it is one tierod/wheel travels (and turns) further than the other.. in "both directions"...!!

Proper Ackerman would have the inner tire turning further than the outside tire in "either" direction...

This pic ... The tires have "even" radius (will scrub)


and this pic...he inner tire is "tighter" than the outer (no scrub)

[Tom Fox]

Maybe I'll just do a plain and simple steering.....I was kinda bored last night and thought I'd give it a shot. Oh well.....

[Squidd]

Your on the right track, just gotta make some geometry adjustments..(good thing everything is just tacked)

Side by side on the bell crank tab and shorten both steering rod links... That will help eliminate the "overcenter" leverage...

[grassthrasher]

WOW rely nice mower

by the way I rely like how you did your dash with the aluminum nice job

[Tom Fox]

Your on the right track, just gotta make some geometry adjustments..(good thing everything is just tacked)

Side by side on the bell crank tab and shorten both steering rod links... That will help eliminate the "overcenter" leverage...

From what I can understand from your description.....

Shorten up pitman arm.

Relocate bell crank centerline to the right. (is there a measured distance for this or are we lining this up with something?)

Make bell crank so each link is side by side, not stacked like mine.

Is that what I understand?

Thanks for your advice too!!!

[mightymowe]

the pitman arm would only have to be shortened by about 1/2 inch to gain quite a bit on the steering wheel unless you shorten the other arm

[Tom Fox]

Well...got the steering the way I like it now.




Back out to the garage again tonight for an couple of hours.......

Made up a gear shroud/cover


Played around with the tranny and chain idler (not shown here)


made up and mounted clutch pedal



Made up my clutch tonight as well.

With pedal depressed


With clutch pedal at rest