Gearbox and frame issues

Previously tony_baxter wrote:

Hi all, ok, next instalment in my saga of the '39 ES2. I'm checking the rims and spokes, to order the appropriate replacements, and find the bike was rebuilt in the past with a pair of Radaelli WM3's, instead of WM2's. So, and bearing in mind other dubious mods this bike has had, I decided to double check the offset of rims to hubs, by remounting them in the frame, and seeing if things came to where they should be.

First problem, sliding the rear wheel back in, (it's a plunger by the way), one end of the spindle goes straight in, but not the other. If I try inserting them the other way, (not the other way round, just right in before left,) the right goes in fine but not the left. So, removing the wheel and measuring across the long plunger mounting bolts - they're further apart at the bottom than the top. Now I did have the frame repaired a few weeks ago, the right top mount was cracked and twisted, and the repair was great, but I am guessing that whatever caused the previous damge, has caused more issues than I at first thought.

I decided that before tackling this, I would mount the gearbox and make sure that was straight. As you can probably guess, this has a problem too ! The bottom mount is a bit loose, no surprise there, but the top is tight ! Unlike the previous threads I have read on here where the top is loose, and shims are used to take up the slack. This one is tight, and possible ever so slightly skewed to the right. Frame is bare incidentally, with just a dusting of primer.

Looks as though I may have to mount the engine bottom half and devize a way of resetting the frame to get the wheel in, whilst watching that the primary and secondary chain runs stay in line.

Anyone had similar frame issues before ?

Am resisting the (strong) urge to attack frame with a sledgehammer !!

Hi Tony, please NO sledgehammer, sounds to me like your frame has a twist in it, could have got a shunt from behind at some stage in the past 70 or so years.

My advice would be to take it too someone who has the necessary tools and knowledge to straighten it, Motoliner are probably one of the best around, hth

Regards Darren

My 16H had twisted girders and Jake Robbins down on the South Coast sorted those out as well as checking the frame alignment. It's probably best to consult someone who has experience of brazed lug frames.

Previously richard_payne wrote:

My 16H had twisted girders and Jake Robbins down on the South Coast sorted those out as well as checking the frame alignment. It's probably best to consult someone who has experience of brazed lug frames.

Contact details for Jake would be useful,

regards

Derek Ambler

'Sump' did a write-up on him a couple of years back.

http://www.sumpmagazine.com/classicbikespecialists/index.htm