The Service Department
THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT
GARY BRAY
CLEAN AIR
Since I have started racing my ’63 Triumph Trophy in the desert, I have seen about 20 different types of air cleaners. In your opinion, what type of air cleaner gives the best engine protection?
G. A. Nichols Gardena, Calif
The stock Triumph air cleaner is fairly efficient as far as filtering the air. Trouble is, it’s just not big enough. The Fram filter element type air cleaner is probably the best bet and they come in many different sizes and shapes. Most of these installations are carried out by the owner and can be accomplished without too much fuss.
BIGGEST AND FASTEST
I want to know, of all the motorcycles made that can be ridden on the highways, which is the biggest (in displacement), fastest, best handling, and most dependable?
Nicholas A. Porter Santa Monica, Calif.
Well, the H-D FLH is the biggest in cubic inch displacement but it’s not the fastest. Both the BSA Lightning Rocket and Triumph T-120 are very fast but they are five cubic inches smaller than the Royal Enfield Interceptor (which is rather fast also). Norton’s 750cc Atlas twin handles very well but, alas, it’s not the fastest. I sure wish they would bring back the Matchless G-50.
HOW CAN I LEARN?
I am writing to inquire whether there is any place for a person to take a course covering English motorcycle mechanics. I am very interested in this field and would like to put you on the spot by asking if there is much call for such a mechanic.
Dave Mosher A Iberia, Canada
There are no schools that I know of where one can learn to become a motorcycle mechanic. There are dealer schools held annually for dealers and their mechanics with a day or two spent going through the internal workings of the new models. Unfortunately, these are not schools in the true sense of the word for they do not teach the fundamentals.
There is, however, very definitely a need for motorcycle mechanics and this need will increase as the motorcycle industry continues to grow. Sometimes I wonder how anyone could possibly want to become a motorcycle mechanic. The wages are usually two-thirds what the average auto mechanic can make and yet the motorcycle mechanic cannot, in most cases, specialize. He must do major overhauls, electrical and tune-up, sheet metal and paint work. He must also be familiar with a dozen different makes and many times is called upon to attempt a major miracle on a ten or twelve-year-old creaking, leaking, tired-out, outdated, rusted and just plain miserable machine that should have been retired years before.
Most mechanics get into this business when they are young, and start by doing odd jobs around the local shop. This is good experience but it takes quite a long time to amass the general information one needs to become a competent mechanic. I think if a person has the necessary mechanical ability and schooling in, say, welding or body and fender work, it will be easier for him to get his foot in the door.
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If you want to be a motorcycle mechanic, read as much as you can. There are some fine books out such as Motorcycle Engineering by P. E. Irving. And harass your local dealer a little — he probably needs help anyhow. Good luck.
HOLES
I hope you can furnish me with some information with regard to the two-cycle engine. Recently I've been experiencing holes being burned in the center of the piston. This has occurred on twin-cylinder engines with single carburetion and also with dual-carbureted engines. Just one cylinder has the problem; what could be causing this?
Jack Michaels Sacramento, Calif.
This condition can be caused by any one of several things — improper ignition timing, a worn or faulty crankcase seal, dirt or foreign matter in the carburetor, improper oil/gasoline ratio, and in some instances a poor choice of engine oil. The modern two-cycle engine requires oil designed for that particular type of power unit for best performance and engine life.
If the machine has been performing satisfactorily and a hole suddenly appears in one or the other of the pistons, it may just be that the oil for that particular tankful of gas was a brand that had not been previously used and was not a twostroke oil. If this is the case, or if ordinary engine oil is used as a rule, I would recommend a change to an oil designed specifically for the two-stroke engine.
MUCH ADO ABOUT PIPES
Do you think it would be wise to put crossover pipes on a 305 Honda Super Hawk, or how about megaphone pipes, or just taking off the pipes? Would any of these make it go faster? Would any of these harm the engine in any way or shorten its life? 1 heard that it’s possible to burn holes in the pistons. Is this true?
Greg Gilbert Ridgecrest, Calif.
If you like crossover pipes, it won’t hurt to install them on your machine. The crossover type of exhaust system is not the best for top performance, however. For high speed performance the downsweep megaphone exhaust system is best.
Removal of the standard mufflers will accomplish the same thing as the crossover pipe: you will have a straight pipe, which is desirable for low end performance and where the engine rpm is being varied continually. Remember, any change in the exhaust system may mean re-jetting the carburetor. The only way an engine can suffer from a change in the exhaust system is by neglecting the necessary jet changes. •
