rocker spindle washers

Information relating to the Matchless G11 or AJS Model 30 600cc twin
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clive
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rocker spindle washers

Post by clive »

Just rebuilding my G11CS to cure an oil leak from the crankcase and of course finding issues I did not identify when I first worked on the bike to get it running 18 moths go. I have taken off the rocker spindles and have a question about the washers. The F. Neill book of the twin has an illustration which shows two washers 014275 one either side of the spring but nothing at the other end of the rocker. The parts list says there is one washer either side of the spring plus one at the other end of the rocker. This makes sense to me as their needs to be a washer between the rocker and the ally frame in my view. Which is correct?
My bike has one washer either end against the aluminium head but none between the spring and rocker arm, the most sensible arrangement if only two washers are used but should it have three?
clive
if it ain't broke don't fix
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Malleon
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by Malleon »

My G11 has three washers per spindle: one either side of the spring washer and one at t'other end twixt rocker and the post, so IMHO there shoul;d be three per spindle, as you believe.
Best regards.

P.S. :- Interestingly, the Workshop Manual diagram, Fig. 4 on page 16, also shows only one washer on either side of the springy thingy, but I will keep to my current set-up as above.
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1608
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by 1608 »

Have a look at the photos section, post war twins page 4. Shows three shims. That is in my opinion the best set-up and how mine is. A shim either side of the spring washer prevents it locking and causing wear. The shim on the other end of the shaft prevent wear on the pillar. Its worth noting that the manual specifically mentions that when adjusting the tappets the locking nut need only be loosened just enough to allow for the adjustment. Otherwise it is very easy for the shims to become dislodged, I've done it.
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by Groily »

I agree with three - which is what mine all have too, as described by Malleon. Cheers, Bill
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clive
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by clive »

1608 wrote:. Otherwise it is very easy for the shims to become dislodged, I've done it.
Well thanks for the advice, as expected you have confirmed I should go for 3 washers per rocker arm, and yes one of the shims was dislodged as I had over loosened the locking nut. Beginning to feel that this cure of the oil leak may be less of a wild goose chase as I am finding other things that need sorting, not least the urgent need for a decoke as I somehow had the needle in the carb on the bottom most setting rather than the middle one, explains the overrich running, poor fuel consumption and need to go down 4 main jet sizes to get it to run anything like acceptably when the air filter was fitted. So even if I don't stop the oil leak the bike will be happier anyway.
clive
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1608
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by 1608 »

Where is the oil leak?
SPRIDDLER
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by SPRIDDLER »

1608 wrote:Where is the oil leak?
Just above the puddle on the shed floor :rofl:
'There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood............'
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clive
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by clive »

Cannot decide if the leak is from the dynamo or the crankcase seal around the oil filter as it seems to be all around behind the dynamo. Splitting the crankcases to see if the small gasket between the crankcase halves around the oil filter is missing/blown. Made more difficult by the fact that the engine had no pressure relief valve in 58.

And the puddle is in the expensively rented garage Neville (and probably in every road I have travelled over the course of the last year, especially near traffic lights). I am just not expecting to see the deposit back when I finally stop renting as the floor, and the area immediately outside the garage is covered in oil stains! Must be more careful when draining the sump. :roll:
clive
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clive
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by clive »

Well the issues continue. First I noticed a small witness mark on one piston and a similar one on one of the inlet valves. I don't think it was there before I built the engine up, but was perhaps caused by valve bounce when I over-revved due to a botched change down when riding up hill. Alternatively the heads had been skimmed and the recess for the spigot had to be machined out, so perhaps they are now too close. An attempt at cutting up a thicker base gasket was abandoned as I could not get the holes all properly lined up despite using a paper gasket as a guide, and instead I have opted to cut a small valve recess in the inlet side of the pistons.

Then I found the crankcase has cracked around the central primary chaincase bolt mount. I am told this is a regular problem and is being ally welded by a specialist friend.

In splitting the crankcases I found that the paper gasket around the oil filter housing was missing, although no sign of leakage. In getting the crank out of the cases I thought you needed to remove the oil pump, and then worked out you did not. However I had moved the pump enough to break the seal between pump and case so decided to take it off anyway. As I cleared off the red hermatite that had been used instead of the gasket I was amazed to find that there was something blocking the transfer hole to the oil filter gallery on the delivery side. As I tweaked it out I realised it was a pickup carbon brush from a magneto (no spring!). How it got there I have no idea but it must have been when there was no cover on the oil filter and no filter in the housing. Now this must have been obscuring 2/3 of the hole, might this explain the tendency of the engine to run hot? Fortunately the big ends and centre bearing do not seem to have been damaged, or at least there is no apparent play.

And I thought I had got this engine sorted 3,000 miles ago. Perhaps I need to review my tag below.
clive
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saltbox alf
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Re: rocker spindle washers

Post by saltbox alf »

Ah but you did have a problem , though not exactly broke!
That's amazing about the carbon brush, however I found a ha'penny in a gear box once????? small change :lol:
My '31 csr leaks from the base gasket but only with cold oil, when warm it stops, weird!

I gather the little gasket round the oil gallery is very important, good luck with repairs mate, keep us posted.
Allons-y, amis de Matchless et AJS
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