Progress reports from previous lab:
Frame & Wheel group- guest speaker Bill Becker gave advice on truing the bike’s wheels and demonstrated how to put in new spokes. Glenn showed this group how to use the C & C machine, and they observed him drawing parts and begin to make a tool they can later use.
Electrical group- this group began working with the old distributor from the bike and the new one Professor Littman ordered. They used a vice and a press mechanism to pound the center stem of the old distributor out of its housing because the original housing will be used with the new distributor. This group also learned about the centrifugal weights that have a 12 degree range of motion and spin, advancing the cam and causing the spark advance
Bottom End group- this group spent time in the lab cutting gaskets. They used the milling machine for drilling, which has a plane with a digital indicator that reads out X and Y coordinates to ensure accuracy. Other members of this team printed out a picture to see if it would fit our bike. They reported needing to fix a curvature, and Glenn said it was a good place to start.
Transmission group- this group took the bike’s transmission apart and took inventory
Clutch- this group learned how to sandblast parts and how to use the parts sealer, which is crucial to closing the covers
Top End- this group cut valve seats and tested them at different angles. They did this by using blue alcohol-based pigment and spinning it in the valve to see if it matched all the way around. If it was not consistent, they cut more. This group also cleaned the valve seats. The tool for cutting the valve seats is a tool of rotation and cutting, like a lathe as it spins. Three rough stones are positioned around a head at a specific angle, this group used 46 degrees first, then 60.
Class discussion:
In class, Professor Littman reminded the class that there is always something to do in the shop, wether it be clean the tool chest, organize the workspace, look a presentations on Tiger Cubs from previous years, or learn how to use the software available to us in the shop.
The reading for today, Ch. 5 in Shop Class as Soul Craft, brought up further discussion regarding the philosophical and mechanical elements of motorcycles and mechanics. One interesting point discussed in class was the different interpretations of the word “scholar”, specifically, if it means a highly educated person like the narrator, or if it applies more to the expert mechanic Frank in the reading. The class also discussed the difference between “liberal arts” and “servile arts” and what it means to feel free in your work. In terms of mechanical discussion, we picked up references dealing with the “engine not bleeding”, meaning the hydraulic system in a car cannot be flushed out, potentially because of air bubbles. We also learned the author’s clever trick of finding oil leakage, which is to spray athletic foot spray on the area with the leak and the oil will show.
We began looking at the ratios of teeth on the sprocket for the primary chain (Engine and Clutch) and the drive chain (Gear Box and Rear Wheel). We will look at the equation in more depth later this week.
No reading assignment for Thursday