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11
British Bikes / Re: Tiger cub valve timing.
« Last post by Vreagh on April 20, 2026, 09:50:28 AM »
The bikes an easy starter for everyone else, so it has to be my decrepitness. After riding big singles all my life, you wouldn't think a year off would weaken the leg so much. I've put an electric start on the goldie, but can't manage the weight yet. Perhaps I should finish the hand start LE Velo. Thanks for your input.
  Keith
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British Bikes / Re: Tiger cub valve timing.
« Last post by cardan on April 20, 2026, 07:54:54 AM »
No, sadly it won't make any difference.

I assume the piston has a high dome. You could either change it out to one with a flat top, or put a decent spacer - say 1/8 or 3/16" - under the cylinder. The only thing to watch out for is that the combo of the pushrods and valve adjusters will accommodate the change in height.

Have you enlisted an enthusiastic kicker to start it up?

Good luck!

Leon
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British Bikes / Tiger cub valve timing.
« Last post by Vreagh on April 19, 2026, 06:04:19 PM »
Heading into my ninth decade and recovering from two new knees, I been off the bikes for over a year. I thought I'd start small so dug out my tiger cub to help build up the leg strength again. I can't even kick the cub over. Tried the usual tricks, thicker head gasket and longer kickstart but still no joy. Other than drilling a hole in piston, I was wondering if retarding the valve timing one tooth might reduce the peak compression allowing me to get it over. I realise performance may suffer but hopfully it will only be temporary until my strength is back. Do members think it's worth a try ?
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Identify these bikes! / Re: Lewis - What engine ?
« Last post by cardan on April 19, 2026, 07:33:41 AM »
Chater Lea's own spring fork, introduced in 1910.

Leon
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Identify these bikes! / Re: Lewis - What engine ?
« Last post by R on April 17, 2026, 02:30:06 AM »
Thanks Leon
Not a name that leapt out at me.

So what are these front forks ?

https://scontent.fbne5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/668499757_10164086329613445_3533639962214577562_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e06c5d&_nc_ohc=fDC7Y-_3Cl8Q7kNvwH3pnhB&_nc_oc=AdrtFYLaPkYoYk5FNxFx7tIr_JwX0VaocqEKbwQZNuVxwgvb01X95oMWq6AR-9dddg4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fbne5-1.fna&_nc_gid=pA-FiittblKIqNMZFgdMQg&_nc_ss=7a389&oh=00_Af1mXmvk-JZr4tNUOhYdJBZBhTlJpo6tDucJwKvewXHAxw&oe=69E74899

I'm developing an interest in these Lewis's...
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British Bikes / Re: A Tale of Two Gearboxes
« Last post by chaterlea25 on April 13, 2026, 11:32:23 PM »
Hi Ramwing,
Yes the pressure required to fit the fixed gears to main and layshaft varies just as you have found
Only thos evening I was changing a layshaft gear to another shaft, luckily they were not too difficult

John
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British Bikes / Re: A Tale of Two Gearboxes
« Last post by john.k on April 13, 2026, 04:07:41 PM »
probably  a selective fit  in original manufacture ...always a problem when you  no longer have a wide selection of parts to chose from ..........i recall   something  like that with IH  truck  gearboxes when I jammed a tight first gear onto the mainshaft  hoping it would free up in use .....it   was  too tight  to  change gear ,and so never got a chance to free up.........and I got a  kick   up   the jaxi  from the boss.
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British Bikes / Re: A Tale of Two Gearboxes
« Last post by R on April 10, 2026, 06:27:58 AM »
Aye.
Since one is not like the other, something is badly wrong here !
Can you see if the free one is bushed inside (as it should be ?)

If that gear was fixed to the shaft, then any notion of 'constant mesh' gears goes out the window !
And since the fixing seems none too permanent, press required regardless, seems wrong....

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/nV8AAOSwv~NlsRlm/s-l1600.jpg
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British Bikes / Re: A Tale of Two Gearboxes
« Last post by Rex on April 09, 2026, 05:42:55 PM »
Assemble the boxes and see which one works, or look at the assembly drawing/gear positions and see?
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British Bikes / A Tale of Two Gearboxes
« Last post by ramwing7 on April 08, 2026, 09:58:05 PM »
I have a 1949 BSA B31.  The gearbox is a mess so I got another hoping to use two to make one serviceable.
I've come up with a situation that I cannot find any information on.
In one gearbox the mainshaft gear (24-4231) slides on the shaft easily.  In the other it took 5 tons of pressure to remove the gear from the shaft and if it goes back on, it will take a press to get it there. The easily moveable one will not slide on the other shaft either.
Question is:  Which it correct?
                   Does the mainshaft gear move along the mainshaft in normal operation or is it supposed to be fixed and stationary during operation?

Many Thanks.
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