Excelsior Universal 125cc - Rear Plunger

[john.k]

the picture of the dismantled frame is in Sheldons EMU.......as a 1954 Excelsior Universal..............looking at the pic,I suspect the spring seat is threaded to the rod,and possibly there is a locknut.................however ,from a constructional point of view ,it would be also possible to make the rod two diameter ,and have the spring seat retained by the step between the two diameters......this method needs no thread,but has certain disadvantages...............summing up the evidence..........i would expect the central rod is "jumped up" and the increased diameter threaded for the spring seat.......the spring seat is clearly visible as a discrete unit ,secured to the central rod .

[iansoady]

If it was double diameter then the seat would tend to move on either bump or rebound (depending which side was which). A thread sounds likely, or even a pin through a collar?

I am 90% sure that replacements can be made and I have PM'd the OP with the email of the chap who made a very good job of mine. Let's face it, a 1950s Excelsior would have been made as cheaply as possible so there are unlikely to be fancy solutions in there.

[iansoady]

Gone quiet - I wonder how he's getting on.....

[Rex]

I still wonder about the bloke with the French non-running moped.
(Well, all of them, actually)

[DELONSTAINWALL]

Hallo Members,
Yes, it’s been a while since I last posted. Sorry, but I had to wait for the parts book to arrive and I was hoping this will help…… it hasn’t as it only describes the parts. In the description the centre shaft and sleaves are separate and it should slide out either way. Not with mine. I believe the centre shaft is seized into the sleeve.
Which one should I cut ? The centre shaft ? OR the Springs ? Do you think the springs is from the inside of the plunger that has been taken out and then put back on the outside?
How easy is it going to be for me to replace any item that I cut?
Thank you, John. K and Iansoady and all members who have advised.

I look forward to moor replies.

Delon.

[R]

There appears to be a nut threaded onto the shaft down low there.
Have you done as suggested earlier, and tried undoing that nut ?

[DELONSTAINWALL]

Hi Members,

R, their is no nut threaded onto the shaft down low. Except for the outer 2 nuts treaded onto the shaft. Yes they have been taken out but nothing happens. 

Delon.

[R]

I'm sorry, I don't know where I got that from !
I saved a pic from somewhere, so there must be another similar enquiry someplace in a parallel universe ??

Cutting your plunger rod as mentioned would seem to be an option, if it can't be shifted.

[iansoady]

We're about back where we started.

A thin cutting disc in an angle grinder may get between the coils of the springs to cut through the central shaft. Then remove the top part through the hole in the frame lug, lever the bottom section complete with slider up till the rod clears the hole in the bottom lug and you should be able to - very carefully - slide the whole lot sideways to release it. But beware the spring tension.

If you can't get the cutting disc between the coils then you'll have to cut the spring as well.

You asked earlier where you could get parts made and I pm'd you a possibility. I now understand you're in Australia so as that source is in the UK probably not suitable. But don't you Aussies have a reputation for making stuff by melting old saucepans on the barbie?

There must be small machining shops in Melbourne. Here's one: http://www.natex.com.au/

Here's a spring manufacturer: http://springshop.com.au/

[DELONSTAINWALL]

Iansoady, thank you. I will try the saucepans on the barbie trick if I get stuck for parts. Ha HA!

Please see attached photo. Once I compress the larger spring (top). It gives me enough room on the small lower spring (bottom) to use a hack saw to cut the centre rod only. It should take me 2 minutes to do this. Yes, the plunger will have tension as the large spring is still compressed.
By realising the larger spring tension slowly and then sliding the plunger sideways to release it I should have it in my hand.

[33d6]

Mr D, I live in Melbourne and probably have all the info and contacts you need. I also ownExcelsiors. All we have to do is work out how to do private messages on this forum so we can get discuss getting together to solve your problem.
Cheers,

[Rex]

Click on the recipient's name and a profile comes up, then click on "send PM". 

[33d6]

Done it Rex. I’m having computer issues that are making communications a bit erratic.

[iansoady]

Keep us posted. And keep the hands and fingers out of the way!

[DELONSTAINWALL]

Thank you to all members for your input on this. Each input has been valuable to me.
I will be catching up with 33d6 sometime this weekend and will keep you all posted.
I am hoping to resolve this and get the frame painted so I can start on the project.
Happy 1st.
Delon.