Wanted arrow twin carb / reed valve crankcase

[JoeTurner]

Hi my farther and I are building an arrow for track days and hopefully one day racing,
We have got lots of good bits but we hoping that someone out there can help with the crankcase.
Ideally looking for a case with twin reed conversion and can anyone get the heads with the engine mount cast on?
If you can help please let me know.

[bh.sprint]

Hello,

The person most likely to know where to get Arrow heads with the cast in fixings is Ron Philips of Fahron Engineering. I've seen a variety of unusual Arrow engine parts in his workshop. He supplies the alloy cylinders but is very busy .
Tel number 0115 9634123

Brian H.

[JoeTurner]

Hi Brian thanks for that I have the alloy barrels from Fahron but I got them thought someone else, I never even considered them for the heads, I will call him and see how long the wait is.
Many thanks

[alanbrown]

Hi Joe, I,m doing something similar with my ariel Arrow.I,m looking at using TZR pistons which are 56.4 mm, in special alloy barrels with bigger spigots, which means boring out the crankcases!
Just wondered if you had got any further with your modifications. Looking for cylinders now.
Alan

[JoeTurner]

Hi Alan, We have given up on the reed case and turned our attention to a twin carb case using the Fahron barrels with Yam Pistons and a crank that has jap rods fitted we acquired, We are currently looking at having the crank sleeved to give us a better centre seal and bearing size.
I gave up on the reed valves and massive ports as I think i would not be able to cool it without going LC and we are keen to keep it in the 60s era.
So in all we have a pile of bits still but it's happening slowly.
If you find someone to machine your case let me know I need some ports cutting into my case also.
Thanks for the reply Joe

[Roger James]

Hi Joe, I didnt see your personal message for awhile regarding your search for a reed valve crankcase, I did reply about two weeks ago basically saying, yes i do have a Reed valve crankcase that I got from Keith Harding more out of curiosity than to use and to add to my collection of shall we say different Arrow engines, such as the V4 engine and the 3 cylinder engine raced back in the 60's. I'm reliably informed that the crankcase has been altered to take RD400 reed valves, other than that I know nothing of any history and I've not examined it to see whether it is useable or has damage, I offered the crankcase to you for free but you have raised a point I'm not actually sure it would be eligible for classic racing these days with either the Classic Racing Motorcycle club or British Historic racing so if you want to go down that line best to check with them first before spending money and time building it up. If you can use it then its yours but if you are having doubts and would prefer to used a twin carb crankcase with just the carbs fitted then I would prefer to keep it as part of the collection. See attached photo of the Reed valve crankcase.
The only problem is, finding it amongst all the parts for cars, Bedfords, Reliants and Ariels, its in one of the sheds but playing hard to find.
Now with regard to Competition Cylinder heads used back in the day for hanging a twin carb crankcase to the frame, I do have a pair in their unmachined state as cast by the foundry, I have these earmarked for another Arrow racer project but, if you are really stuck for a pair I will sell them for the cost of what they cost me ie £95, but they will need machining up, Ron at Fahron Engineering can do it but he's a one man band and you could be waiting a very long time I've been waiting 6 years for him to do my alloy barrels) as an alternative I could loan you a genuine Competition head to use as a reference (I'm searching for the other side but no luck so far), again the only snag is, I've loaned it out to someone else so that they can take measurements and not sure when I will get it back. See attached photo of the Competition head.
For hanging the engine from the frame fitted with factory type Competition heads you will need to make a bracket like the one in the attached photograph, you will also need to add another metal plate to the inside of the frame to add a bit of strength, note the line of four holes for bolting or pop riveting that plate down. I have one of the brackets but again it is out on loan to someone to make a copy for his own racer and I would have to get it back for you to look at and take measurements.
There is another cheaper alternative to hanging a twin carb crankcase to the Arrow frame without the need to use Competition heads, you can use ordinary high compression cylinder heads along with four specially made brackets and make a simpler hanging bracket with threaded bar, I have some of those brackets but not sure I have four left now so will have to have a look, if interested I would sell them as I dont think I will use them, depends whether you would be happy with this arrangement or would prefer period original factory mounting set up using Competition heads.
see attached photo of these brackets...
Regards Roger

[JoeTurner]

Hi Roger, great to hear from you. Can I come and look at the reed valve case please?
I think my father has a pair of high comp heads now and as you say we are just going to hang some brackets off them as this seems to be a lot easier if we are to try different head shapes in the future.
Many thanks Joe

[Roger James]

Hi Joe,
You certainly can but I need to find it first, I'll have another look for the Reed valve casing today and also try and find those head mounting brackets.
You can also have a look at the ex Boughey racer, this engine runs with Reed valves.
I'll let you know when I find those parts.
Can I just mention Donington Motorcycle Festival coming up soon over the weekend of 4th 5th 6th of August. Its a Classic Racing Motorcycle Club weekend of racing with a static display of motorcycles of all makes put on by the Japanese Motorcycle club on the Melbourne loop this year, I will be there all weekend in the race paddock in the blue Bedford CA camper van, I'll be taking the Boughey racer just for a static exhibit (Needs two new race tyre fitting before it can go out on track), I'll be Parade riding the Salt Arrow Production racer on Saturday only so I can watch the racing on the Sunday also John Rimmer has booked in to Parade ride his 4 cylinder Arrow racer I believe on the Saturday, but more importantly, the quickest Arrow racer in the country built by Pete Coogan and ridden by Mike Hose will be there racing, track action not to be missed if you are a Arrow racer fan. Regards Roger

[Roger James]

Good News Joe, I've found the Reed Valve crankcase today, looks to be in good condition and will depend whether you determine whether the work carried out by someone else converting it to reed valve is o.k. or can be modified so that it can be built up into a working engine.
The reeds are present although you might want to get hold of replacements.
The barrels have had some work done on them, even looks like they might have been re-lined, if not happy with them then they can always be removed to fit your own barrels.
Sadly I only have three of the cylinder head brackets, two alloy and one steel, as there isnt a full set you can have these also, you might be able to make use of them, would using two, one each on the outer bolts be sufficient, I'm not sure but a possible option.
If interested give me a ring to arrange to visit. Tel 01773 874955 Roger

[JoeTurner]

Hi Roger
That's great I will talk to John and then call you to arrange a visit.
We will be at Mallory, I was at Cadwell camping just across from you with my son last year on one of the meets when you had a spill,
Looking forward to seeing the Coogan machine I have never seen it in the flesh before,
The Boughey bike looks just like what I wanted to build, I have never seen it before and I have been watching historic and classics at Cadwel for 30 years now?
I must need to attend some other tracks!
Many thanks