Ron

It's not so much about the plates, it's more about lubrication and cooling the chain and oiling the clutch bearing. Having said that, I've run my special dry for 1000's of miles, which is a dry clutch anyway, But I have a special chain and air cooling and spray chain lube. Ron

Duke I think the top one with the smaller spline is what was fitted to the 250 models (D,S,SF etc) and is exactly what I originally fitted to my experimental DC which is a 350. (first 3 pix) I soon realized that it should have had the bigger cush drive clutch, (4th pic) and like you went on the hunt for the spider with the small spline. I was also thinking of getting one made but fortunately an old RE bloke had one which he donated. I wonder if you would actually notice a difference without the cush? For instance, the special I built, which is a effectively a BSA M20 with a much more powerful Indian 741 engine fitted has no cush ( nore dose an Indian 741 in it's natural form,) and I can't say I notice any difference. Likewise when my M20 first came to me 30 odd years ago, a previous owner had locked the cush drive and I rode it without knowing for a while. Not the end of the earth to give it a try and swap it at a later date. Ron

Here it is on my 3HW. But it's not always there. Sometimes it's a repeat of the frame number and sometimes there is nothing.

You can contact Roger on his published email address, chairman@velocetteowners.com Ron

Two Velo's? Could only be Roger and Jane Franklin. Ron

Hi Jon Sounds like you had an eventful week, fortunately we had no breakdowns with my group, but I did see others falling by the wayside. The 60 bikes that I led on the Don Fife memorial run (75% in the rain) all made the 80-90 mile trip with no problems, likewise the 80 bikes that I took to Pegasus gathering at the museum made it there and back. (I'm told 160 bikes counted at the gathering). Of the 150 caps that I took to France, I brought 3 back. 2 where ordered by a Dutchie who's since been in touch and the one that you ordered. I had plenty of spares, but was selling them to whoever asked, as I didn't want to be landed with them. I'll PM you my paypal details and cost. Cheers Ron

Well done Steve. Good to meet you too. Regards Ron

Sorry no! The tank came without any fittings. Ron

We're on the 8am fery from Poole tomorrow (Friday 31st) and should be at the Etreham campsite by about 2ish. Nothing serious with the 5SW. It's just that I'd like to get to know it better first. Ron

I still have a couple of niggling issues with my 5SW that has swayed my decision to take it to France after all. So the old faithful Royal Enfield WD/G is loaded in the van. I'll give the Triumph more mileage on home turf on my return. Ron

I would first try Tony Cooper for mag parts .........I think he's trying to retire.....But worth a call though. Tony Cooper Motorcycles 110, Olive Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands, B62 8LT Tel 0121 559 2405 Fax 0121 561 2410

I've made a rough sketch of the closing parts. The hex head screws on mine are stainless steel copied from an original, but I made the thread a bit longer as the original was a struggle to reach. Ron

Here are some pix of my G3 and G3L that I already have on file if it helps. The bottom hinge appears to be welded on. You'd have thought they would have rolled it from the same piece of metal? I'll probably be around here all day if you need anything else or measurements. Ron PS. Factory pictures included.

Me too! I got mine back together last night and it started first kick......After it had warmed up, I re-torqued the head bolts, and today I ran it down to Coy Pond to show the ducks. (They went Quackers over it). The clatter is definitely better and since everything now is checked out or renewed, I'll accept that the slight clatter is what it's supposed to sound like. I'll just check the head bolts one last time later (I have a solid copper gasket fitted, so no fear of a modern composite version blowing out) Ron

Today (Wednesdays) is mostly a day off for me, as I go out for the day with my teenage mates (Last of the summer wine!!) But hopefully I'll get back on it later in the day.🤞 Ron

My inlet cam shaft and idler shaft were worn. Brian had a new inlet camshaft, so we pressed my cam gear off the old shaft and onto the new one. He also had a new idler pinion gear shaft which meant I had to somehow pull the old one out. I welded a piece of 6mm studding to the end of the old shaft and with a metal block with a hole in to use as a slide hammer, and after some heat on the crank case from my welding torch and some bumping from my slide hammer, the shaft came out. The new shaft was easily tapped into the engine whilst it was still warm. I also took the head off to reset the timing accurately. I'll finish off tomorrow and hope for a quieter engine! Ron

I'll report back later on our findings and my decision on action. Ron

Well the 50 weight oil didn't make any difference at reducing the clatter (I didn't really think it would) So I've stripped the timing gear train out for inspection. I'm going to visit Brian today in Swanage to see what new parts he can help me with and decide if wear to the inner cam bushes are part of the problem. Although I've found some slop in the idler pinion bush and inlet cam outer bush, which we have already replaced and some wear to the camshafts themselves. I'll see what compromises we can come up with, with any new shafts and gears and easy to replace bushes. Otherwise the engine will have to be stripped. In which case I guess I'll be taking one of the Royal Enfield's to France. Ron

AS stated. No MOT required for historic vehicles. The onus is on us that they are roadworthy. Ron

PS. Just spoke to Brian, who recommends 50 also in the engine. So i'll be buying a gallon at Kempton on Saturday. Ron.

As per the book. SAE 50. Ron

I would have been completely stuffed without help when I built my experimental 350 Royal Enfield. Apart from the silencer, rear carrier and lots of other parts that we had to make......Take a look at the unique oil tank come air filter!! Ron

I've worked on and saved a few "U/S" dynamos over the years, and here is some of the info that has helped me. Ron https://matchlessclueless.com/electrical/lucas/testing-lucas-dynamo/

That's a good price! I've seen them for up to £300!!!! The dome glass type usually have a window for a glimmer of illumination from a corresponding slot in the reflector. Ron

My 5SW engine is a bit rattly in the the timing chest, despite having replaced the worn bushes in the timing cover and idler gear. The cams looked fine, I can only put it down to the lash in the timing gears. I haven't really listened to anyone else's SV Triumph to determine how normal it is for these. There will always be a 'clack' as the lash in the gears at the point where the lift of the cam is transferred from pushing the valve open to being pushed by the closing valve. Ron