Planning ahead for an inevitable need for a rebore for my Electra in near future and with NOS pistons rather than hens teeth I have a set of new +20 thou Hepolite pistons but my bores are already +30 thou. Does anyone know of a supplier of liners to fit the Electra which I can have fitted and bored to suit? Cheers Nick
More thoughts......
Has anyone sleeved lightweight cylinders? I thought I should ask as I think the Navigator cylinders would be rather thin when bored to take liners.
Does the Electra use the same cylinder casting? If it does then I don't think sleeving would be an option.
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I have no idea John, that is…
I have no idea John, that is why I asked the question of those who might have gone down that route with an Electra. I don't have any experience of fitting liners so a whole new ball game for me but an option worth exploring given the rarity of NOS pistons. I agree about the thinness of the barrels where they extend into the crank cases but I assume this would all be new liner with the main block being thick enough to be bored out to fit the sleeve. I hope that makes sense! Surely there must be liners of the correct external dimensions and sufficient length which can be trimmed to size and shape once installed with the various cut outs etc...... Let's hope there is! Nick
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article - question for Andy Sochanik (navi barrels)
Perhaps have a look at the article "question for Andy Sochanik (navi barrels)" Submitted by richard_maydwell on Fri, 04/12/2020 in Lightweights on this forum. That might give answers to some questions even though it is about Navigators.
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Thanks Stan, I have checked…
Thanks Stan, I have checked out that article which shows it can be done. From reading that Norvil provided the Navigator liner but a check of their website shows they don't list Jubilee, Navigator or Electra liners. I will contact them once they are back from Christmas holidays and see if they can help and will email Andy to see if he has any leads. Cheers Nick
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Navi barrels
Stan, thanks for the info. That settles the matter for Navigators.
What about the Electra? I have asked if the Electra uses the same cylinder casting as the Navigator, still no answer. Casting a rule over a Navigator cylinder it looks as if a 66mm bore could be accommodated, ignoring the protrusion in to the crank case. It also looks like it could, as an Electra, be sleeved for 66mm pistons.
Nick, I will be interested in the outcome of your search for suitable liners. It will be possible to do something. I've made a liner from cast iron tube when nothing else was available.
One more thing, I believe the Electra flywheel width was reduced to fit between the cylinders. I wonder why this was done? All that was need was locally cut away the cylinders to clear the flywheel. The cylinders aren't doing anything that area. I think that these bikes were a bit "light on flywheel", reducing the width is a backward step. I would fit a Navigator crank shaft and cut away the cylinders to accommodate. I managed to get a sizeable increase in flywheel inertia on my Navigator crank shaft, photo teaser attached. I plan to write about this for "Roadholder" sometime.
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I've been looking in to this with a view to fitting larger pistons to my Navigator. Can't find any Electra specific liners.
I see liners for the 500 twins are available from RGM, same bore, I would guess length might be okay because of the longer stroke.
You could try Thornton's, if you can give them some rough dimensions they may be able to find something.
Depending on facilities available, depth of pocket, etc., cast iron tube is available if nothing else is to be found.