Lil Indian Crankshaft Size

[rascal57]

Quick question: Did the Briggs & Stratton engines offered on the 1960s (Century-style) Lil Indian minibikes typically come with 3/4” drive shafts? Although many of the vintage B&S engines that I’ve come across for sale out there do have 3/4” shafts there are some that are 5/8”. So just wondering if I have the choice, what size would be most correct in a restoration project for a 1967 Lil Indian? Thanks for any advice on this.

 

[creia]

I've never seen a Briggs 5HP flathead engine with a 5/8" crank end. The 3HP came (mostly) with a 5/8" crank, however, there were some manufactured with a 3/4" crank.
Michael

 

[rascal57]

Thanks, Michael. I should've specified -- I'm actually looking to use a 3HP B&S engine. Would that engine also have the 3/4" crank offered on the Lil Indians and possibly others? Thanks again.

 

[sparkwizard]

I've never seen a Briggs 5HP flathead engine with a 5/8" crank end. The 3HP came (mostly) with a 5/8" crank, however, there were some manufactured with a 3/4" crank.
Michael

Did you read this reply?

 

[Triley41395]

Did you read this reply?

Michael was referring to the 5hp. Although it wasn't stated in the first post, the poster was wanting to use a 3hp. Although I don't remember having any 3hp briggs I can say I have a few 3.5hp with 3/4" cranks. Personally I'd look for a 4 or 5hp because those bikes are a bit bigger and 3 may be underpowered. The brochure does say the lower end 4500/5000 did have a 3.5hp option.

 

[Joe51]

From all the Lil Indian literature I have, The Century series bikes had 3 options. 2 1/4 hp. 3 hp and 5 hp. Depending on the model you want to build.
Crankshaft size is either 5/8 or 3/4. (2 1/4 and 3 hp) use the 5/8. 5 HP uses the 3/4.
Joe

 

[Triley41395]

From all the Lil Indian literature I have, The Century series bikes had 3 options. 2 1/4 hp. 3 hp and 5 hp. Depending on the model you want to build.
Crankshaft size is either 5/8 or 3/4. (2 1/4 and 3 hp) use the 5/8. 5 HP uses the 3/4.
Joe

I was looking at this brochure where it says 127cc which I thought was 3.5hp but I don't know for sure. I thought the 3 was 107cc and the 2 1/4 was 97cc. I am far from an engine expert though.

 

[Triley41395]

I have no idea if this will help but here's what I have. If this is not the correct model numbers let me know and I'll post what I can find. This manual is massive. This covers engines up to around 1980

 

[Joe51]

Is your brochure 1970? The only one I am missing. They switched to Tecumseh that year. Earlier years used the Briggs. In my 1971 brochure
they list the 172 cc as 4hp, and the 127 cc as either 3 or 2 1/2 hp.

 

[Triley41395]

Is your brochure 1970? The only one I am missing. They switched to Tecumseh that year. Earlier years used the Briggs. In my 1971 brochure
they list the 172 cc as 4hp, and the 127 cc as either 3 or 2 1/2 hp.

I don't have the brochure, I robbed the picture from the media section.

 

[rascal57]

I appreciate all the information from you guys! I guess the overall concensus for the 2 1/4 hp and 3 hp (Century style) B&S engines is that they came with a 5/8” crankshaft. This is just the info I was looking for -- thanks again for all your responses!