Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Hi, I have a small amount of up/down play on one con rod on my ariel leader (about 5mm) is this acceptable, I notice that draganfly are still out of stock on exchange con rods so if I need new ones unless I can find a pair on e bay I am stuck for the foreseeable.
Advice and ideas would be much apprciated

hi i think there is no up and down play, in the con rod bearing if its got play it will be knocking when the engine is running

5mm is catastrophic. Even 0.5mm is far too much play.

Any form of work on a Leader or Arrow engine really needs the special
tools to get the crankcase doors out or things will get broken. Swapping
conrods needs a press and quality measuring gear to do properly.
I wouldn't attempt it at all.

With the crank out the centre oil seal really should be changed for a modern
one and probably the main bearing as well.

Paul:
Nametab and Alpha may be able to do cranks/big-ends, see:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=10562&p=73187&hilit=big+end#p73187
(Please report back any findings!)

There's a load of stuff in the online Members' Library (main website) these days with info about the two strokes (and quite a bit in the Forum over the years , you might need to use the advanced 'search' function to sift for things though.)

(Topic moved to 2-stroke where it'll hopefully be more useful as a reference)

HTH

SG

good morning,
Thanks for your information, and I will contact Alpha, Nametab and draganfly.
Could you plesae let me know which Alpha to contact.
Cheers
Paul

hi you need Alpha bearing Limited they are in Dudley phone number 01384-255151

The con rod may be ok. Also check the piston where the con rod locates. Often if movement is left for any length of time, the alloy piston can wear, so after you have gone to the expense of rebuilding it, the movement may still be there. Also, modify the piston by drilling 2 small holes, this way oil can help keep the small end lubricated, more than usual.
Use good vitron seals and deglaze the barrel, it is worth spending a few extra pounds to make sure it is top notch and will remain that way.

You always see guys, start their engine, then go to rev the t*ts off of it. This will cause increased wear, Usually roller caged bearings. Get the engine warm first before you rev it harshly, there are loads of different metals in the engine, all have diferent heat coefficients.

Hi Trev.
Thanks for the advice.
The bike came without pistons or barrels so I am holding the top of the con rod and finding a small amount of movement.
I don't much about engines but maybe the problem could be the big end in which case it would be a much cheaper fix. I suppose the only way to check is to get it to draganfly for a condition report followed by corrective surgery.

i think you will be better to send it to Alpha bearings and let them look at it and do what is needed it will be a lot quicker then Drags, the last time i spoke to Drags there was a years wait to get anything done, and that can be a lot longer

Hi Johnny
Yes, that's probably a good option, I will phone them tomorrow.
The problem is drags was gonna check gearbox, clutch, etc. I have worked on a bantam and rebuilt a lambretta from scratch before but not the engines, so I probably need somebody with more knowledge than me to look at other engine parts.