Tag: Tinkering

I NEED a Lister Diesel Engine

/ Matt Talley / 2 Comments

I have a big ol’ crush in Lister single-cylinder diesel engines.  These stationary work horses were made from 1926 to about 1985 and were used for pumping water, power generation, inboard flat-water boat engines, and all manner of other uses.  They came in 1.5-12 horsepower and would/will burn Diesel, paraffin, kerosene (as a mix), waste motor oil (WMO) fresh or waste veggie oil (WVO), bio Diesel, etc…  They were and are so reliable that many of the originals are still running today after 90+ years of just regular maintenance.

Lister Lister_D_2

 

 

 

 

After the parent company stopped making them, Indian firms started making clones for Asian and Southeast Asian use due to their inherent long life, simplicity, and ease of maintenance.  These are called Listeriods, and they are fairly plentiful, but the quality swings widely.

Why do I want or need a Lister?  Reasons.  Why did I need a Millennium Falcon in the second grade?  Why did I need all those Legos?  I just did.  Just like I just need a small Lister (or two) in my garage to tinker with and run various other machines that I just need as well.

I have been thwarted in my attempt while living in the US due to EPA regulations making importation verboten.  There are some, both original and clones, around, but they command top dollar as they are VERY popular with the off-grid/prepper folks.  I like “The Grid” just fine.  I am not building a bunker, planning for any sort of societal collapse or EMP weapon defense, I just need a Lister.

I have found a couple here in France, but either the owner has been unwilling to sell or the logistics in getting it have proved difficult – hauling it 30 vertical feet up and 2km down a mountain path sort of daunting.  I still haven’t given up.  We know a British couple that have been here long term and the husband is a classic car/truck guy – he has a 1962 Unimog fire truck as a daily driver…  I spoke to him this weekend about my need and he might know a guy who knows a guy sort of thing.  I have my fingers crossed.

Enjoy a few videos of Listers in action below:

10/7/2015 Update

So, I found an engine here in France that was the right size and type, with an outstanding price tag – basically free.  But, there is NO way I can bring it back to the US with me.  We are bringing home Wine and other stuff that are customs red flags and they are going to go through our shipment container with a microscope.  I think I might have a way to get an Indian import once we are back in Seattle, so I will deal with it there.

 

Old iron is the best

/ Matt Talley / Leave a comment

I am too stupid to own a motorcycle. Really. I have been on one bike or another since I was 5 , when i first sat on a 50cc Honda dirt bike and my last one was a beautiful 900cc rocket. I have all sorts of stories about crashes and near misses, a few scars, a broken wrist and foot from my early riding years. I decided that most of my injuries and near-death experiences on a bike were completely my fault and that unless I wanted to be an early organ donor I had to give them up, so after the birth of my daughter, I sold my last bike and other than a dalliance with rebuilding a duel-sport on my balcony in 2004, I have been able to resist the pull of two wheels. Then, minding my own business, I walk into something like the pair shown below:

Matt Talley _ French Moto _ 2015 (1)

Matt Talley _ French Moto _ 2015 (2)

Matt Talley _ French Moto _ 2015 (3)

Matt Talley _ French Moto _ 2015 (4)

Matt Talley _ French Moto _ 2015 (5)

Matt Talley _ French Moto _ 2015 (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Went to local pizza shop for dinner last week and what is sitting outside? Two vintage bikes, both old single cylinder French Motobecanes – the single-seater with the white helmet is a 1950 and the double-seater with the gas can on front is a 1952. Talked to the two guys riding them and the bikes are barn finds bike that they pulled out and got running this morning. Super jealous!!!! There were cobwebs and barn dust still on them. Take gander at the old plates! These babies make me want an old bike to tinker with, ride, rebuild, ride, cuss, work on, ride, love, ect… Now, I need another project/hobby like I need a hole in my head, but the pull of the Dark Side is SO strong!