What engine is this?

Author
Discussion

sussexcoast

Original Poster:

30 posts

132 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all





This engine was found during a house clearance, anyone recognise it?

FreeLitres

6,047 posts

177 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Looks like one of those old Hira engines to me.

j44esd

1,233 posts

223 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
I'm going to guess its a Hiro trials engine from a trials motorcycle (as per Armstrong trials bikes) an Italian company that made engines for various 80s trials bikes and has some sort of link to aprillia (and trials rider Sammy Miller) if I recall correctly.

This old catalogue scan matches the logo, further reading implies it was used in various trials bikes of this era:

http://www.retrotrials.com/uploads/8/0/6/7/8067174...

Edited by j44esd on Thursday 2nd April 00:36

gazza285

9,810 posts

208 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
A bit more info here.

http://www.armstrong-trials.co.uk/history.html

Although that engine is not a motorcycle engine, with the transfer car on the side and an output for a prop shaft.

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

198 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Boat engines isn't it?

vx220

2,689 posts

234 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Looks like one of those old Hira engines to me.
Made my day!

j44esd

1,233 posts

223 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
gazza285 said:
A bit more info here.

http://www.armstrong-trials.co.uk/history.html

Although that engine is not a motorcycle engine, with the transfer car on the side and an output for a prop shaft.
Ah, fair play - I knew there was something odd looking about the output, but it was late at night and I could only think of their trials link - forgot that of course they must have made engines for other things! smile

sussexcoast

Original Poster:

30 posts

132 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Looks like one of those old Hira engines to me.
This made me laugh!

It looks like it could well be a shaft drive output, so maybe a boat engine. I'm struggling to find a google link to any engines made by Hira, so all replies and ideas gratefully received.

sussexcoast

Original Poster:

30 posts

132 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Just looked at the links provided, a good source of info, which also led to a question.

Is it Hiro, or Hira? It looks like Hira to me, which could be why I'm having a big google fail!

blondini

477 posts

178 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
It's Hiro and it's a microlight engine.

sussexcoast

Original Poster:

30 posts

132 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
blondini said:
It's Hiro and it's a microlight engine.
We definitely have a winner! Thank you, now have a few hits on google to rummage around.



Following is a photo of an engine in situ showing the support bars also.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/donliddard/685597995...

Triumph Man

8,690 posts

168 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
I need a Hiro! I'm holding out for a Hiro 'til the end of the night

vx220

2,689 posts

234 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Triumph Man said:
I need a Hiro! I'm holding out for a Hiro 'til the end of the night
This is the thread that keeps on giving!

Drive Blind

5,096 posts

177 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Hiro, is it me your rooking for