This is how ALL my problems start

[Augiedoggie]

One might think I would become a bit smarter and more sensible with over seven decades of madness and stupidity……but. I recently saw a project started by our friend @Havasu Dave and thought to myself?? I have a Briggs model “N with no home. Motor has rebuild parts here in stock. I have a junk bike frame. Oh Shit!! You’d think I’d have learned by now. Guess I’ll have to live long enough to start and finish another project. I’ll watch Dave’s project for ideas.

 

[superflea]

You're going to need those round things front and back to keep up with Dave.

 

[sparkwizard]

I like the low handlebars. Add a leather helmet and you have a board track racer!

 

[Havasu Dave]

Well, I'm 66, and 22 years of those were in the Marines, 50 of them partying like a rock star. Waking up each morning at 4 AM is a pleasant surprise. Go for it. That looks like a MTB frame, beefy. The vintage Schwinn frames are not beefy. At all. Ironically, I just now came back in to the house after my first test ride. Very few problems, none of which cut the ride short. Does an easy 30 MPH, runs up hill with authority. It was a squirley ride, but I figured that.

 

[Minimichael]

Very cool, and I love the tank. How many horse is the model N? It sure fits nicely.

 

[Augiedoggie]

Very cool, and I love the tank. How many horse is the model N? It sure fits nicely.

I’m second guessing engine selection already. The model N is probably 2 horsepower. I’m not really sure. If memory serves those old dinosaurs were 1 1/2 or 2 horsepower. Kind of hate to repurpose and waste a vintage Briggs like that but I don’t have anything else that needs it either. I have several other vintage Briggs motors in the shed also. I may reconsider engine choices. I usually change my mind several times during planning stages. I sort of dig the old style home grown, cobbled up looking machinery that looks like it was built in a shed by a blacksmith.

 

[Augiedoggie]

Well the REO engine has a bit more room than the Briggs motor….. I have several running REO motors now. I’m thinking more and more about building a tribute to my old home built bicycle framed bike. Always wanted to build one.

 

[sparkwizard]

Belt drive with a manual tensioner, just like the sixties!

 

[Augiedoggie]

I made the decision to use the REO engine for this project. I have two engines from older purchases and found another engine and purchased it today. Tentative plans are to replicate a gas powered bicycle I built as a boy. I have been planning to build this thing for 15 or more years but always manage to find other distractions. I’m always working on 20 different projects at once and this one has been neglected for awhile. I reckon I’ll use this thread as my build thread as time allows

 

[superflea]

Boy if you had one that was clockwise rotation so the cylinder went forward, it would like it was made for that build. You would have to probably use some kind of jackshaft set-up.

 

[sparkwizard]

I think the REO engines were clockwise. Weren't they the ones that had the PTO on the cam rather than the crank?

 

[Augiedoggie]

I think the REO engines were clockwise. Weren't they the ones that had the PTO on the cam rather than the crank?

Yes that is correct. Crankshaft was geared to camshaft on those. Output shaft ran at half speed opposite crank rotation. Also used single lobe camshaft and forked valve actuators to operate valves. It was a common weakness for the engine design and they would sometimes break teeth off camshaft when the rotary mower blade jammed a rock or stick when running. This is exactly why many of them were scrapped and replaced with the more durable Briggs.

 

[Augiedoggie]

I found another old REO engine and purchased it on Wednesday morning. One hour trip to New Jersey and it’s mine for the cool sum of $70!!!!!
Funny story. Fellow I purchased it from was a schoolmate of mine who worked in the mower shop after school where I got my original two REO engines 60 years ago. He was the person who originally informed me the engines were in shops scrap pile for the asking. He doesn’t remember why he saved this last one he sold me. His wife told me it was her idea to get rid of it so I paid her for it. I thanked my old friends and drove off like I stole it. Got it home and it looks good inside and has good hot spark. Should be a runner. I’m stoked!!!

 

[Augiedoggie]

Some guys collect stamps??
PFFFFFFFTTTTT!!!!

 

[RobertC]

Dang Augi !

Sweet collection

 

[massacre]

Awesome

 

[Augiedoggie]

Found another REO engine for a good price recently and purchased it. REO engine inventory is now up to 4 motors. Should be set for engines for now. Next project is expected to start sometime this summer….no shortage of projects here

 

[Minimichael]

Always good to have spares, too.

 

[sparkwizard]

I don't think I've ever seen one with a recoil on it. Nice find!

 

[Augiedoggie]

I don't think I've ever seen one with a recoil on it. Nice find!

Sort of a unicorn. Heard they existed and saw pictures of them, but never saw one in person. Fellow that sold it cleaned and fussed over it and sold it for very reasonable price. I couldn’t resist. The recoil starter uses wire cable instead of rope. I’ve never seen that before.