Subject: RE: Bike/Motor Identification
Author: joe jump
Date: Dec 10, 2004, 7:29 AM
Post ID: 1718032919
Sounds like a single leading shoe (SLS) rear brake.
I was under the impression that there are interference problems
with the crank-mounted alt & the OEM front fender configuration, and
that there were some slight mods required to the front engine mounting
bolt/frame interface. I did like Charlie is doing; took a Tonti engine,
bought the crankshaft adapter for the generator pulley, and mounted a
timing cover from a loopframe engine. The generator bracket holes were
already drilled & tapped on my 850T engine so that wasn't a problem.
Since I had a tach on my dash (and because I like the agricultural
looks) I also swapped out the dual point dist for a single point loop
unit - avoided the interference problem of the dist. with the generator,
and avoided having to mount a second coil.
I think the shift pattern may be 1 up & the rest down on Eldos
- not sure. The spedometer drive on the rear of the transmission will
tell you if it's from an Eldo or a Tonti (both 5 sp); Eldo's cable exits
the trans so that it runs outboard of the battery tray. I'm running an
850T transmission & I had to put a hole through my battery tray for the
speedo cable to pass through. I used the existing Ambo U-Joint &
driveshaft, but bolted on the T-bike rear drive (same as Eldo) to avoid
the taller ratio of an Ambo rear drive. I bet the builder of your
machine retasined the Eldo parts. I also retained the SLS rear brake &
non-cush drive rear wheel for simplicity. If it's together & running,
somebody else has sweated the details - you're off the hook!
There are lots of commonality between all these machines,
which makes parts support pretty good - I'd venture to say better than
for a '71 Yamaha. Your alt should make plenty of power, but the T-3s &
later had higher output items. The generators are low tech & heavy, but
seem to have plenty of output.
As far as resale value, well....why worry about that? Only
bikes I know of that make money are Harleys. It 'ain't no Harley...of
course, you've probably already heard that by now! Official response to
that comment; "What's your point?"
Have fun!
Joe in St Louis
850T-powered Ambo
Junkyard
Scott Miller wrote:
Thanks everyone. It sounds like I've got an early 850T bottom end. Ron Komoroski mentioned checking for a 2 leading shoe rear end. Would a such a brake set up have two brake arms? This bike has one. I have not yet pulled the rear wheel. Are there any other external features to look for on the tranny, drive shaft, or rear differential that would identify them as Eldorado or later model components? How does having a later model motor in the bike effect resale value? Are there mechanical concerns about such a set up? Are there advantages (alternator vs. generator? parts availability?)? Thanks again and have a great weekend. Scott Athens, GA |