Redditch frame AVL Hybrid Lives!!!

[Adrian]

I was wondering if this would ever happen, but my project somehow became a motorcycle - guess I just about ran out of things to do on it!





Somewhere down the list of topics is the history of this project, but it got to the point where I had fuel in the tank and just had to kick it over. Started first kick. Just a few tweaks needed before it's really ready for the road, and I can start to get some miles in.

Brief summary: 1960 Constellation frame, RE India forks, wheels & swinging arm. Gearbox is also an Electra-X type 5 speed with a right foot shift, primary cases are from a 350 Indian market 4 speed 350 Electra with an Electra-X alternator inside, the engine is a 500 AVL top end, and crankshaft with a new big-end, as well as a modified 350 AVL timing cover built into a modified set of 350 RE India cast iron Bullet crankcases. As it has a full set of timing gears I'm running a Pazon ignition in a late 500 contact breaker drive, which might one done be replaced by a BT-H magneto!  Cams are a set of Bullet Whisperer's "S" profile.  Engine mostly supplied by Henry Price, but the cylinder head was left over from my Electra-X and has had competition valve springs fitted by Bullet Whisperer.  Headlamp is a Lucas 7" with a genuine Smith's chronometric speedometer fitted to the top yoke. My Electra's old PHF32 Dell'Orto carb will be used for running-in, but there's a new PHF36 waiting to go on...

Regards,

Adrian

[Philbomoog]

Looks brilliant. Well done. If you get the time can we have some close-up photos.

[dampking]

Finally Adrian! She's beautiful!!!!!!

[ace.cafe]

Congratulations Adrian.

Stunning looking job!
I'm very happy for the great result of your efforts!

[barenekd]

Beautiful!
But a 36mm carb?!
Bare

[1 Thump]

Beautiful !

[Arizoni]

That's one fine motorcycle you built.  The colors compliment one another very well too!

[Bullet Whisperer]

Nice work, Adrian! I hope it all works to plan and goes as well as it looks!
 B.W.

[jartist]

That is one of the most loveliest looking mo-chines I've ever seen!

[boggy]

Looks amazing. Love that frame, and the color too.

[ERC]

Very nice looks great. If you get a BT-H magneto you'll love it. I've got one on an Apache and talk about easy set up and starting is great. Spark is so hot you could weld with it.   ERC

[AgentX]

Amazing...that's a hell of a Bitsa.

And to think the machine shop I asked about converting my 350 to a 500 thought it'd be unrealistic.  How much metal did you need to take out of the crank cases to fit the 500 barrel?  Any problems drilling and tapping for the new stud locations?

[anadikaal]

I converted 2 bikes from 350 to 500, one std bullet and the other was AVL.  It is an easy job but has to be done in a professional shop because the holes for head studs must be very even or else there is a problem with fitting barrel (I know someone who has this problem).  If you compare and put one on another, 350 and 500 gaskets (the ones that enter under the barrel) you will see how much metal needs to be taken out. 

[AgentX]

Good call with the gaskets.

Hopefully I can find a machine shop willing to take on the task.  If all else fails, maybe I'll bring the bike by the motorcycle-specific shop I was hoping to use and show what a simple job it is.

Do you happen to have any photos of the conversion in process?  (showing material removed, stud locations, etc.?)

Did you use the 350 crank with your 500 conversions?