One-off helical gear manufacturer?

[skiri251]

Sorry, yet another non-Oldwing topic.
(I was thinking about camp touring to Jalama beach on Oldwing next week but there is this wild fire..)

My Bridgestone 200RS rebuild is almost complete. The engine started okay but left cylinder was overheating.

Then non-starting. Turned out to be broken timing idle gear. It's made of glass-fiber or something non-metal.

Cannot find NOS part. Even if there is one, it may break again and get me stranded.

Does any one know a machine shop who will make one-off helical gear at reasonable price? (willing to pay up to a few hundred bucks..)

BTW, here is my pride and joy(?)..

[video]https://youtu.be/cqAJziv2aS4[/video]

 

[slabghost]

Most machine shops should be able to make you one of billet aluminum or brass. Either should last indefinitely. Could check here.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/ ... x-repair-0

 

[skiri251]

Thanks.
Just found NOS part but good to have a reliable one.
I will contact that company.

 

[dan filipi]

I used a machine shop in Sunland Ca to make my first alternator pulley.
Pm me if you want their number.

 

[zman]

I just took a tour of my brother in laws gear factory, He makes gears for racing,aircraft,auto/motorcycle transmissions and other applications..The factory is shut down at the moment but I`m sure he knows something about gears , not sure if he can do one off gears but maybe he has what you need, I`ll ask him.

 

[skiri251]

Thanks.

I saw helical gear manufacturer web page but it sounded like the setup fee would be $1000.
I found NOS non-metal gear so it's okay for now (hopefully in the future too but who knows it's 50 year old fiber glass.)

 

[dan filipi]

I seem to remember there is a reason they made that gear from that material but I can't think right now what that is.

 

[skiri251]

dan filipi » Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:02 am[/url]":1nkvdeps]
I seem to remember there is a reason they made that gear from that material but I can't think right now what that is.

Must be a good reason.
It's 60's and the rest (like headlight bucket, air filter box and toolbox) are made of sheet metal.
Thanks to this the toolbox lid is completely rusted. LOL

 

[zman]

My brother in law called it a phenolic gear, far as making one he said a one off would be too much to make it worthwhile.

 

[skiri251]

zman » Fri Jun 17, 2016 1:18 pm[/url]":2lblclfn]
My brother in law called it a phenolic gear, far as making one he said a one off would be too much to make it worthwhile.

Thanks.
Just like that web page..

Well I hope that NOS phenolic one will last.

 

[slabghost]

Might want to spray the gear with silicone and make a plaster mold. That way in the future you may be able to make another one or two. Maybe a carbon fiber epoxy resin would last longer than phenolic? Never know what the next product will be.

 

[Ansimp]

Nice job Skiri :good:

 

[skiri251]

slabghost » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:16 pm[/url]":3fn4zlsq]
Might want to spray the gear with silicone and make a plaster mold. That way in the future you may be able to make another one or two. Maybe a carbon fiber epoxy resin would last longer than phenolic? Never know what the next product will be.

Yes.
I was thinking about making my own with JBWeld SteelStik.
I have the original one with chipped teeth. The one that broke is the one I bought off eBay.

 

[skiri251]

Ansimp » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:35 pm[/url]":3ca4l0vh]
Nice job Skiri :good:

Thanks!

 

[Daeouse]

What about doing a limited run? Some companies will do a limited run for not too bad as long as there's a minimum amount. I know the company I used to work for did that kind of stuff occasionally for assorted companies. Find out if any other owners of those bikes want one and set up a run. . . my 2 cents. . .

 

[skiri251]

Daeouse » Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:52 pm[/url]":j37wmzj4]
What about doing a limited run? Some companies will do a limited run for not too bad as long as there's a minimum amount. I know the company I used to work for did that kind of stuff occasionally for assorted companies. Find out if any other owners of those bikes want one and set up a run. . . my 2 cents. . .

Thanks for the idea.

I am a newbie in Bridgestone forum but I don't get a feeling that other owners want metal idle gears..
Maybe this is a rare occurrance..

 

[Daeouse]

skiri251 » 2 minutes ago[/url]":33ppw1jx]
Thanks for the idea.

I am a newbie in Bridgestone forum but I don't get a feeling that other owners want metal idle gears..
Maybe this is a rare occurrance..

Brass is generally a good option for a softer-metal alternative. I'm sure someone on there could explain why the other material is needed, but if it can be improved, why not do it? :headscratch:
The KLR650 has a mod that replaces a plastic part with an aluminum aftermarket piece, and it makes the engine pretty much bullet-proof. So I can imagine a similar idea could work here.

 

[slabghost]

Many of the older cars had phenolic gears for the timing chain as manufactured. They were later replaced by steel cast gears. If there is fear of damaging the steel gears then brass or aluminum are good alternatives. Both metals are soft enough to be readily machined at home with careful use of files. Yes it takes a while but if it saves you several $100 it's time well spent. Keep in mind the adjacent gears will wear the softer new gear to match them in use.

 

[skiri251]

Daeouse » Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:16 pm[/url]":309iadbg]

skiri251 » 2 minutes ago[/url]":309iadbg]
Thanks for the idea.

I am a newbie in Bridgestone forum but I don't get a feeling that other owners want metal idle gears..
Maybe this is a rare occurrance..

Brass is generally a good option for a softer-metal alternative. I'm sure someone on there could explain why the other material is needed, but if it can be improved, why not do it? :headscratch:
The KLR650 has a mod that replaces a plastic part with an aluminum aftermarket piece, and it makes the engine pretty much bullet-proof. So I can imagine a similar idea could work here.

I may be wrong but I got a feeling that BS forum members are fairly conservative.
Some members build BS racers for ARHMA etc and they venture and innovate but as far as street BS owners go, they seem to value concourse restoration.

That is one of the reasons why I like this forum. It's so open for new ideas.

 

[skiri251]

slabghost » Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:24 pm[/url]":1tvhjvh5]
Many of the older cars had phenolic gears for the timing chain as manufactured. They were later replaced by steel cast gears. If there is fear of damaging the steel gears then brass or aluminum are good alternatives. Both metals are soft enough to be readily machined at home with careful use of files. Yes it takes a while but if it saves you several $100 it's time well spent. Keep in mind the adjacent gears will wear the softer new gear to match them in use.

Cut my own helical gear with file!
That is radical idea. LOL.

Wait.
Files and hacksaws are my usual tools of choice.
Hmmmm..