Steering damper knob on '52' plunger Eze 2

Previously wrote:

Having owned my Es2 since 1977, ( I bought it to mark the Queens jubilee, remember that!)anyway it took me several years to do (what I would call by todays standards) a very medioca resto job , I hit it with the initial flourish and enthusiasm of a big-boy with a new toy, then unfortuatly my interest in it ebbed n flowed a bit, usually being spurred on by my annual outing to the classic bike show, finally it hit the road ,but then the purchase of a house precluded me from any kind of enjoyable activity for a few years and and and well you know how it is! ,anyway after many years of neglect I am now giving it a bit of clean up and replacing some of the rusty nuts n bolts with stainless, ( cardinal sin No1 I hear you purists cry!!!) well I get to the point where Im thinking, oooh!!! that large nut under the steering damper knob (or should that be nob) looks particularly rusty, lets take it all apart so it can be given a good clean, on removing steering damper assembly thingy to find the damper nob (or should that be knob) is siezed solid onto the shaft, obviously during my initial resto this must have been the case, as I have found in my commprehensive norton spares collection a new spindle for said damper, but I cannot remember buying it !!, hey-ho, the question I put to all you resto oficionados out there, is how does one un seize it ? any reasonable suggestions!as I dont want to damage the orgional damper nob ( who cares ) Im thinking of chopping the spindle off drill out the offending bit and retapping the thread, if there is a less drastic approach please let me know (or should that be no)...........Richard Davys-Jones Mid Wales

Hello Richard,

I have had great successin applying plenty ofWD40 or similar. Just leave it soak for a good day or so, keep applying the oil and don't let it dry out, I then place the rod into the vice and place one of those adjustable steel band oil filterwrenches around the knob and hey presto off they wind, to date (touch wood)I have had no breakages. I have also been told that placing the unit into a deep freeze (freeze shocking) for a few days also works a treat, but I have yet to try, as my tried and tested approach has yet to fail.

Where in Mid Wales are you located? I live near Caersws. Just to let you know,on the 24th of this month (next Sunday),Roger Mason is holding the anual vintage/classic bike show at Pant-y-dwr village hall; doors are open from 10.30am. All the best.

Karl.

Previously wrote:

Hi Karl, many thanks for your comments and swift reply, I will give it a good soaking for a couple of days an see what happens!!!. I live in Forden and am in the throws of also organising a classic bike show and ride-in at Forden village hall on the 2nd of Oct, having been inspired by the likes of Cleobry Mortimer and Whistanstow shows, I have been meaning to kick it off for a few years but things as they do, have a habit of getting in the way!!! ( this is one of the reasons I am fetteling the Ese 2) . Hopefully I will get to Rogers show to swell the numbers and hand out a few fliers and create a bit of interest !!..........Richard

Hello Richard,

Sorry my previous reply should have read the 25th of September. We would also be very interested in attendingyour show,hopefully see you on the 25th, ifyouâre unable to make it,I'll certainly mention the Forden meet at next Sunday's classic show,good luck with the damper Knob.

Best Regards,Karl.