Hi all.
I have a ZB 34 motor ,#3162 that has HC below engine number.
How are these different compared to a B33 engine.
Cheers Drew

email (option): bronte.nolan@bigpond.com

So that's an iron engine, or does it have a ZB34A alloy top end on it....?

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I think this is getting too far off topic.

This is the "WD Motorcycle Forum".

IMHO Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

Correct.
just like NOS socks and trousers :joy:

email (option): vincent@vincentvanginneke.com

What can I say?, I tried to make that point the other day without any success and with little support...I'd suggest it was also further 'off topic' then than it is now ...

In fact more than one person expressed the view they weren't against some variety occasionally...I'm happy to go with that idea if it's what people want...

Maybe it's time to seek a concensus and to redefine the limits one way or the other ...
I'm sure that many forum members would welcome a discussion on 'NOS socks and trousers' if it related to DRs...There is, after all, a whole section on this in the main website....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Not every one on this forum suffer tunnel vision. Many on here have other motorcycles other then just a WD one. So if the question relates to a motorcycle we all become a little richer in knowledge.

This forum works a little like a conveyer belt, as you load new stuff on the front the old stuff drops of the back, and many very useful threads from the past have been lost, perhaps that doesn't matter to some people who visit here believing that their questions have never been thought of before and don't bother with the search box (see top right) and so repeatedly ask the same question about tyres or paint colour to name but two much used subjects.

I have no objection with the occasional thread that goes off topic, nothing wrong with a tread about using your machine and somebody posting a picture of a Commando, a Jeep or even dare I say it a Honda, but when I see more and more B33 named threads there is a new trend being created, every one sees it and thinks they got away with it so I will too.

"I" think it needs to be nipped in the bud.

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

We all have our view but this forum doesn't run on the views of the individual whatever they may be...There are plenty of 'users' and 'watchers' here who can all express a view on this point...I hope they do that, so the general limits can be identified/clarified...

The problem is that without a clear line, for example, 'WD related posts only', when and where do you decide an arbitrary undefined limit has been reached, either in content or frequency?..

There have been a few 'B33' posts lately but as a percentage of the total posts they still represent a tiny minority and probably have little real effect on speeding up the deletion of older posts, which will be deleted anyway at some point...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

If someone has a question about a B33, who cares....
There are people who can help. So what.
It's fine with me.

I'm rather with Rob on this. I wouldn't dream of posting a Norton Commando question or thread on here. Threads can and will wander off topic of course.

I suspect that part of the cause is that this used to be the WM20 forum so people assume that it applies to the M20 and all its derivatives (such as the Gold Star) in general.

Personally, I'll read anything about WD motorcycles, even the ones that don't appeal to me but I do have a bit of a sinking feeling when a thread relates solely to a machine that appeared post-war and not used militarily.

It might seem like nit-picking but it could be one of the reasons that the narrow niche Arse-about-Facebook groups are so successful.

I'm not adverse to off topic questions on the forum, as long as there are not to many and that they are clearly marked as such, however there are plenty of other forums available that are much more appropriate.

email (option): deadhorsesdontgetbackup@hotmail.co.uk

I don't think its a problem wandering off topic a bit, we all have a choice weather to carry on reading or not. I personally have no interest in dressing up so don't read anything about it, easy. Carry on with your B33 discussion.

Hi All.
I just thought that many engine parts are the same as a M20/M21 and could be utilised to use on a your M20 if they are to be found laying in the shed gathering rust or to be had cheaply.
Sorry for any drama I my have caused.
Cheers with a cold beer.
Drew

email (option): bronte.nolan@bigpond.com

Drew,
rather than start WW III you might like to ask the same question on the forum below

http://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forums/27/1/bsa-gold-star-forum

Now that is technically the Gold Star section but we get a lot of std B series questions there and the boys are always happy to answer any BSA question.

email (option): bsansw1@tpg.com.au

Drew...Contact me off forum if you need further info...Though personally I don't consider your query here is unreasonable...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Me neither, B series engine has close relation the M20 and it will fit the frame... Also the B-engine specialist is often here and ready to share his knowledge.....:+1:

I agree with Rob that it is a shame lots of info on the old posts gets lost at the back.....

Drew, it's not personal, it's really just a public discussion about how some of the longer-term posters see the group. It's Henk's forum of course and it's up to him. Most full forums or FB groups have a small team of mods and admins who talk about this sort of directional aspect off-board.

Personally, I've thought before that a separate 'off topic' board would be a good idea.

Lots of posts go off topic and start talking about Norton Commando's or Rocket 3's etc. I don't mind that, it's what happens when you're talking to your mates. I guess we shouldn't start a post off topic but we've all done it, especially when we've finish a project bike that isn't WD but we still want to show everyone. What I do want to see is forum etiquette. You can have a difference of opinion without being rude and you can explain how to do something without being condescending. When this has gone the forum is no longer a nice place to visit. I stopped going on the Access Norton forum because every post turned into an argument between the same people. There are several Facebook bike groups that it's not worth trying to help anyone because some self appointed expert will start an argument. Please let's not have that happen here. A lot of us know each other and a bit of banter is fun, but let's keep this forum civilised.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

OK then...In answer to the original post, the ZB34 engine in the original enquiry is a 1950 engine, the last year of the all iron engine and the year that the alloy top end was introduced as an option. Engines with the alloy top end got an 'A' suffix to the engine type number (ZB34A. ****)...In it's standard form it was essentially the same as a standard B33 of that year...
I recall there were piston options to raise the compression ratio..I'd have to check on cam options if there were any...
The timing gear will fit an M20 though in the OHV engines the face of the exhaust cam follower is not hard chrome plated as it is in the M20...The oil pump drive shaft and retaining peg, oil pump and sump plate are the same as the M20, as are the three main bearings used and the main bearing spacer, bearing retaining clip and oil flinger plate (though the M20 has an extra 4th. bearing)...
The magdynamo and straps are also shared with both models...All other parts are particular to the OHV engine....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I personally liked this forum better when it was the WDM20 forum. Maybe its time to get back to original format and have a seperate section for other models and topics..

email (option): bsansw1@tpg.com.au