Author Topic: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett  (Read 28347 times)

RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #60 on: 28 Jul 21, 02:50 pm »
For anybody who wondered, I messed up. The chassis was too short, and as I don't weld there was lots which others were doing for me and it didn't get done, so I missed 2 Stretton events. Hard to keep interested in the circumstances. In the end the chassis and wheels, axle etc moved on for less than material costs (by a long way).
One day there will be another Edwardian.
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thamesmud

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #61 on: 10 Aug 21, 03:48 pm »
Hi Rhys, 
I was tempted by the old Napier beast myself as when I was an apprentice (Paxman Diesels) there was a display case in the conference room with some of S. F. Edge's trophies in it that were inherited when GEC acquired Napier and spit it up.  The Deltic engine came to Paxman an I suppose they sent the trophies down as that was the last vestige of Napier combustion engine production.  I've always thought that "British Racing Green" can trace its roots back to this car before Bentley, BRM, Jaguar etc fixed it in the public imagination.
I believe any records Paxman held were transferred to the Essex county archive, I hope the cups are in a museum and not scattered about.

Did you manage to sort out a steering box? One Idea that occurred to me was to go GN style and put a bobin on the bottom of the steering coulomb and use ganvanised steed wire to each steering arm end.  The steering arms would need to be linked by a solid track rod and the wire arranged to wind on to one side and off to the other.  With some turnbuckles for tensioning  and duplicated drums and wires and drums as belt and braces it would be cheap and should work.  GN used this system, you would need to lead the wires forward and round idler pullies.

All the best with the build.
Bob

RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #62 on: 25 Oct 21, 08:17 pm »
The whole thing is about to be a "born again" cyclekart. This time it will be quite close to the Gittrevile guidelines for Edwardians. If you aren't aware of these,https://gittrevillegp.com/builders-guidelines/
For no really good reason other than that I am somewhat left field (even for cyclekarts) it's getting a new chassis, made the ay that the 1903 and later cars were made, wooden chassis rails with steel plate (sheet) "armouring"
I have spent a whole lot too much time over the last 48 hours trying to make a better radiator surround than was previously achieved.
I have also lengthened the bonnet to be closer to the original length.
Yes, I do know, there is nothing without piccies,  they will come.
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RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #63 on: 15 Dec 21, 10:00 pm »
Finally, I have the space, once the estate car in the shed moves out next Tuesday, and a few pennies to throw at the thing.
Hopefully my waterjet cutting man will be getting onto a fairly large task (well a bit costly anyway) wait and see.
New axle and bits arrived from Oke Karts today, overnight from ordering! Hubs, axle, keys, brake disc, hub and caliper, bearings and plates.
Yes, no photos no truth.
This is going to be a basic build. While I really admire those with a huge volume of greater skills than I, I encourage folks not to feel they can't make a credible cyclekart with the skill set that they have, or can learn from these great creations.
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!

Andy_B

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #64 on: 17 Dec 21, 12:55 pm »
Fair play Rhys - Look forward to seeing you out on the track in 2022

RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #65 on: 26 Feb 22, 08:56 pm »
Well, the waterjet man hasn't come through yet, so it's back to wire wheels. Likewise the spring man hasn't come through so today I built a Dave Dupaquier (Bentaxle on the US forum) front axle which will get it mobile with the idea that when leaf springs become available I can swap the axle out.  This axle is really easy, and cheap to make.  All up it will be well under £50 with springs, bearings, stub axles etc. No it's not correct looking, and those who know my feelings on that can poke crap at me, but it's at least getting me on the ground.
I did manage to sort out the radiator to something that looks a massive improvement on the previous mess.
Back axle is all done, apart from the "wrong"  plate wheel which it would seem needs lathe time to reduce the thickness. What is it with suppliers in this country that supply wrong stuff and won't rectify?
Yes Bill, photos!
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RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #66 on: 27 Feb 22, 05:14 pm »
Dry assembly of the "spring axle", obviously the actual coil springs to be added and proper pins, and also the radiator.
Yes, I'm doing the body first!
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RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #67 on: 02 May 23, 06:52 pm »
Not a lot of progress , as is usual I have many things on the go, Morgan 3 wheeler (full size real one), JAP V twin engined sprint/hillclimb vintage special, however, from time to time the Napier gets attention.
I have been working on the wheels and hubs. All is ready to put together, just waiting for a bit of warmth to epoxy. Since this photo the router (woodworking type) has been at work but you get the idea. The front and rear wheel centre/hubs are the same, except rears are keyed to match the axle (6 x 6 mm). Why not all? Because the rear rims are a little wider. Maybe the spare will fit both.
« Last Edit: 02 May 23, 06:59 pm by RhysN »
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RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #68 on: 21 Feb 24, 11:38 am »
It has only been since May last year when I posted! Yes , it's happening again. The wheels, after my dynamic test (otherwise known as applying a moving 100 kg load to the centre, that means me jumping on them while they lay on the floor) are now almost fully painted.
I dreamed up a way to get the front spring horns following the inspiration, not totally but a "sort of following the original look" and that has been a real stall point, it's an important feature for me, so totally stopped the build. They were 60% made yesterday.
I have to make a new chassis, having given the old one to a member of the forum. I still don't weld, so that's still a decision to be made. Steel, or wood (the original car is a wooden chassis with about 12 litre engine, if steel, welded or bolted as per "Bentaxle" (USA) method, or wood that I know and can work with?
Most of the body was done previously and retained.
Engine, I have 2 and one TAV ready to go. It will have 2 brakes, each is a separate system and both non hydraulic. One is a drum from a Kawasaki, the other an Oke parts disc and caliper. The drum will have the mandatory handbrake.
Front axle, I have one ready to use, and another if the first exhibits some odd habits. Springs, I finally managed to get some, thanks to JimR for a method of adding front eyes, the rear end, like the original are "slipper".
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!

Jagodo

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #69 on: 21 Feb 24, 07:59 pm »
Your wheels are fascinating. Are they made of plywood? What do they weigh? What have you done about a rim for tyres? I had wondered about using a 'normal' pitbike wheel and replacing the spokes with a one piece GRP imitation of the wooden spokes. Alternatively, there are some pitbike wheels that have angled tubes instead of spokes but they don't look anything like as realistic as your wheels.

RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #70 on: 21 Feb 24, 09:19 pm »
The rims are Honda Comstar. The centres are 2 layers of 1/2" plywood. Being for an Edwardian the 18" rims are what the worldwide guidelines require.
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thamesmud

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #71 on: 22 Feb 24, 04:59 pm »
The rims are Honda Comstar.
The Yamaha ybr 125 custom rear wheels
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 are 16 inch x 2.15 so too small diameter and too wide. They might donate their hubs and spokes to comstar rims.  I can't find any of them that are 17" though.

RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #72 on: 22 Feb 24, 08:37 pm »
I made up my own hubs with items I had turned and plates that were waterjet cut. Go Back a few posts and you will see them. It's MUCH cheaper than cutting up existing rims, and a far more satisfactory outcome. Rear hubs are keyed, and fronts have decent sized bearing cavities.
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RhysN

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Re: Napier 1903 Gordon Bennett
« Reply #73 on: 07 Mar 24, 06:14 pm »
Those wheels of mine, what a PITA to paint and get decent coverage, my Dad was a signwriter before WW2, and every time I paint I feel him looking over my shoulder not liking what he's seeing.
I figured how too make the frame horns after losing way too much sleep over the last couple of years. I have part carved some lumps of jelutong to make the shape and carved 6mm steel to go underneath and the brackets are cut and drilled ready for somebody to weld for me. This time there are photos!
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!