By Robert Beech
Chapter 2 - December 2002
It doesn't look like I will get the dynamo done this side of Xmas, cash is getting tight and I have found more problems that I was expecting with the gearbox as I have stripped it. I was only expecting to have to replace oil seals and get the unit bead blasted. Unfortunately I have also found the Main shaft and layshaft carrier cups 33 & 88 on plate 2 are badly worn and need replacing, the kick start shaft is bent, and the kick start quadrant is also shot. Which is about £130 I hadn’t allowed for. Never mind I need something to keep me occupied over the Xmas break so I had better redirect my money into getting the gearbox up to scratch
It’s Tuesday the 17th now and I am just about to pop round the A C Howle Chrome in the hope that I can get some stuff bead blasted and chromed before Friday. I also need to get to Stewarts on Friday as he is closing for a fortnight over Xmas and new year.
Here is the gearbox casting masked up ready to go.
I thought I would include this photo for those who are wondering about preparing for blasting
1. It is important to protect the mating gasket faces, I have found a packaging tape that has cotton / nylon treads running though it ideal for this. I will get the trade name if anyone is interested
2. Bung up all holes into the castings, the shot gets absolutely every where. Even when you mask and close every hole its amazing how much gets through. Glass bead is easy to clean out, but I did an early casting myself in a sand blaster at work, the sand got every where, it took me ages to get the bloody stuff out. Stewarts recommend bead blasting for this very reason, and there is no doubt they are right.