[charlie]

The nut in centre of flywheel should go loose then start to tighten again as it pulls the flywheel off the taper. Beware removing the flywheel will require resetting the timing on assembly as there is no key on crankshaft. Timing is easiest to do with cylinder head removed to accurately measure position of piston.

[charlie]

The original tyres were specific to the Allen Scythe I believe, as the lugs on the edge were different, longer on one side of the tyre. Never heard anyone say anything about the beads been different. I know car wheels are different for tube or tubeless fitting but thought the beads were the same.

[charlie]

With gearbox in gear and input shaft locked to prevent it turning, if you turn one half shaft does the other one turn in the opposite direction? This will confirm halfshafts and diff are in good order, no major failure.
If you turn both together in the same direction with gearbox in gear does the input shaft turn or try to turn?

[charlie]

Jon, you should be able to send pm now, membership payment received. I have sent you a pm.

[charlie]

Jon,machine 832736 was despatched on 15-12-58 from the factory.
When you serviced the machine did you check/replace gearbox oil, it may have become contaminated with water caused by condensation within the gearbox. Note gearbox oil must be a straight gear oil not EP type as the additives in EP oils can attack the bronze worm gear. Castrol D or equivalent SAE 140 oil was recommended.
You say it is stuck in second gear I assume the gear lever will not move, to me this would suggest the gear is stuck on the shaft, it should be possible to change gear on the move without using the clutch by a sharp movement of the lever.
Do you have an owners manual, this includes illustrated parts list? If not I can supply one, send me a private message for details.

[charlie]

If you are unable to find piston rings it is possible to have them made. A UK company that can make them is Cox and Turner Engineering
The missing screw on the carburettor looks like it is the tickler for flooding the carb. It may be worth contacting a carb company such as Burlen Fuels

[charlie]

It would be well worth speaking to Neil again to see if he can give you any idea of what demand there would be for these.

[charlie]

Tim, what model of Gem is it? The early ones had a simple gear lever that moved forward or back to select gear and later models had a cross shaped gear selection pattern. The early models with reverse also lacked an interlock between forward and reverse gears which could result in reverse been selected with a forward gear engaged. Later models had an interlock preventing this.
There were differences in rotor drive clutch too.
The machine serial number can be found stamped in the top surface of the tube running front to back from fuel tank to handlebars.
What engine is fitted?

[charlie]

Keep us updated on progress. I installed soaker hose and earthed up my potatoes yesterday.

[charlie]

Sorry to hear you have been raided again.
One of the problems is identifying items even if they are recovered, it may well be worth using some sort of security marker and advertising the fact items are marked. It may help deter the thieving low lifes. Sadly the best deterents are no longer legal.

[charlie]

I agree, the social history element of articles etc in Allens Activities is a real window on how things were. To think the directors were serving beer to the workforce whereas now drinking on the premises would almost certainly be a sacking offence. I also like the account of how timber was brought in from around the estate and stacked in the yard to provide fuel for the workers.

[charlie]

I suspect your only chance of finding a spare is from a scarp machine.

[charlie]

pm sent.

[charlie]

That is rather appropriate as they were designed for the African market.

[charlie]

I need to pull my 50 out of the shed for a better look, but I can confirm it is a Lucas and is bolted down through the base. Looking around the internet it looks like an MA1 possibly.

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