Bevel mesh

The smallest amount of backlash is good for quiet running ,but I dont know if there is a clearance needed for any expansion. Have to look it up.

Hi Dave,

Can I suggest you contact:-

Barry Stickland camshaftsingles@nortonownersclub.org

He should be able to answer your question, if / when he does. Could you post the response?

Thanks

Tony

I need to build my cambox and will be looking forward to what information Barry can advise. 

, I have spent many happy(!) hours setting up the bevel cam drives on Ducati's. The condition and security of the bearings  will affect everything . I also found it usefull to test the smooth running of the gears by removing the rockers . A ducati with good gears will run well with no perceptible clearance ,but can produce an interesting almost supersonic whine , they often came from new with the whine.There is an ideal relationship between the gear teeth flanks and a little engineers blue is used on my gears to show the contact point.The gears are pretty everlasting unless mistakes are made ,Hailwoods comeback TT victory was nearly scuppered when his gears exploded at the finish. 

 ...you should never buy a Rolls Royce... ( pre BMW ownership..)

 On my induction into Ford Motor Company, Product orientation was a big part of it.   We were show the processes for machining, measuring, assembly and test. All processes were compared to varying market leaders or high reputation suppliers with samples set up to  verify.  Needless to say the Rolls Royce V8 for the Phantom VI sat there looking resplendent, and whilst the fit and the finish felt good on measurement no two identical components were measured the same. 

Ford were turning out 2000 a  day, working to a 5 micron tolerance on size and all was machined  measured and assembled (50:50 on assembly) automatically. 

Fantastic achievement; alas...  we were making the ford CVH motor.  A dog then and now!  It was a bit of a case of  "all the gear no idea"!!  The replacement to the Kent pushrod engine with  hydraulic tappets, electronic ignition/management, aluminium OHC head...   ... producing less power, consuming more fuel and reliability down the pipe was hardy a step in the right direction. 

The design was wrong, the carburation atrocious and the market with high expectation tried  hard to accept what was in many ways a dud! ...then bought a Vauxhall red top

Sadly the plant closed last month whist still producing some of Ford's finer examples of ICE's  (3cyl 1 litre and super efficient V8s).

Back on subject; meshing of bevels is pretty much the same in any application isn't it? Central  contact no  tight spots on rotation... they all transfer power, generate heat and need to have minimal backlash.   Splined or Oldham they are two separate units,  straight cut and probably already well used. 

Bearing control and lubrication are paramount, the rest is about how you want it to sound;  they can whine if you go zero tol...   or clatter with wide gaps for extreme temperatures.  Its expected use can determine where you go with this but  you  will "feel" what is right under  no  load conditions.

 Just thoughts before I lock down and strip another project!!!

Cheers

Jon 

The previous owners didn’t have the luxury of the information we can access.  
First mobile phone remember it.: like a brick and a car battery... 1983

Commercial word processors....1980’s

Commercial world wide web 1995 and on wards. 

I am indebted to the late George Cohen, and Stu Rogers for their preservation of the old school knowledge of these machines.  
As you say we can all have access to the old engineering tools and measuring devices, but if you can’t marry the ability to the problem without them you are creating a false status.  

I am far from being skilled in this area but I read the advise of our members and tread gently as I ease my bikes into life, improve their status, and enjoy the thrill of a run around the locality.  Or a weeks pleasure on the island, races or no races ( as and when we can).  
 

best of luck Dave.

Look forward to your next run out. 
PS: is this bike new to you. It is quite a special looking machine. 

Jon

for those that don't know, there is a lot of useful information in:-

https://www.nortonownersclub.org/support/technical-support-singles

and in particular:-

https://www.nortonownersclub.org/support/technical-support-singles/international-engine-maintenance-supplement

Tony

...how interesting.  He had a real passion for the prewar scene.  I used to help a guy at Prescott  with a supercharged Alvis of this period,very competitive guys. 

Ian Bennett and co do some great stuff.  Stu Rogers as of  last year was still busy and did a fabulous repair to my Elektron casings when the Mag Platform gave way.  Of course the simple weld became a full blown strip and rebuild with pasivated casings, replaced rings and bearings and renewed the worn bits.  I'll send you his number, he was still sprinting though helping more with his son Aaron's rebuilds and tuning tweaks now.  He has a huge wealth of knowledge and  would probably have record of the work on your bike.  He either has, or can get everything for a Cammy Norton.  Was creating a museum at back of his home for his personal collection of  some absolute thoroughbred bikes. He'll talk all day about the cammy Nortons'; just wish he  would write a book. 

George C enhanced his knowledge by staying there for a week or more to carry out some rebuilds, sleeping in the workshop...  but then again I slept in Georges while he cured an issue on a 54 Manx I owned.  I learned not to take him a bottle next time!!!!   Great people...   

 Thanks for your mini history there David.  Most interesting and a collecting to preserve from a  personal and technical perspective.    

Best Regards

Jon

...is that they apply to a specific engine which he has assisted in building for someone with its own peculiarities. So it seems to me. Not to say his notes haven't been a great help in my first go around with one of these motors. Salt applied.