Britbike forum Forums Projects started by Britbike forum members Members bike projects Rickman Jawa Mk3 "Llareggub"

I thought I'd better start a thread on this build now that my parts are coming together
Brand new Rickman Mk3 frame, Jawa 884 engine built into 889 upright cases, Norton gearbox and Moto Guzzi forks.
I needed to offset the engine 4mm to the left to allow the oil drain plug to pass the lower frame tube, with the gearbox offset 11.5mm to the right, the belt primary drive (30mm HTD belt) aligns perfectly as does the final drive using a standard speedway wheel and sprocket.
I received notification that my alloy tank from Holtworks will be ready shortly http://www.holtworks.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d57.html
I opted for the TT body kit, it has a one piece seat unit with a slightly longer seat so it should be easier for me to tuck in at top speed events

20221124_200107 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr

This is one of the engine plates as supplied by Rickman.
I am worried about the strength in the area of the engine bolt, only 6mm at the back and 0.5mm at the front. There is plenty clearance on the engine lugs so I can get 7mm each side of the bolt hole
20221203_221225 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr
20221203_222530 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr

This is first draught of the new plate, I have added the section behind the gearbox to add stiffness and stability
20221203_222737 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr

I had an early visit from Santa (well actually it was Parcel Farce)
Hand made alloy tank from Holtworks. I chose the option of the flush fitting aircraft style cap. The breather pipe will be shortened and a neat little elbow fitted.
A asked for the sump to be left off and twin outlets fitted, this is to allow for increased fuel flow (Methanol) and to allow me to fit remote fuel taps. The normal tap position is full of carburettor

20221208_185636 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr

20221208_185644 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr

20221208_185701 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr

20220718_081520 by Sigma Projects, on Flickr

That tank is gorgeous! The TIG welding is beautiful. How long did the order take?

Almost 6 months

Yesterday I turned up alloy spacers for the engine and gearbox mounts, 15 in total.
This morning I worked out the definitive method of getting the engine and gearbox into the frame, its like a 3D jigsaw/Chinese metal puzzle.
Fit front engine plates to the engine and finger tighten the nuts
Put the lower rear stud through the engine, this is IMPOSSIBLE to fit later
Place the engine in the cradle and fit the 2 long front studs and spacers
Put the RH end of the gearbox through the RH rear engine plate and fit the lower gearbox stud, this is IMPOSSIBLE to fit later
Put the spacer on RH of lower rear engine stud
Wiggle the engine plate and gearbox into the cradle
Fit the three engine plate to frame studs and RH spacers and put nuts on a couple of turns
Fit the two remaining engine studs and spacers and put nuts on a couple of turns
Fit the top gearbox bolt primary adjuster and the 2 spacers
Place the three LH spacers over the frame studs
Fit the LH engine plate over the studs and fit nuts
The bottom rear engine stud needs pushing to the left to fit the RH nut and washer

It's a tight squeeze but it fits, the lower gearbox stud and the two lower engine studs are trapped between the frame tubes. Mounting the engine this low in the frame is necessary to allow the cam cover to be removed for tappet setting

My next dilemma is the kickstart shaft
Do I fit the standard kickstart shaft assembly or fit a roller bearing in the inner case and plug the hole in the outer?
The only possible way to kickstart the 15:1 compression engine will be to put in gear, pull back to compression, put in neutral then kick. Repeat process until engine is running.
Or use the start rollers instead of kickstart