Progress made (dodgy parts ride again ! ) and ignorance ! and enlightenment hopefully
A very experienced bsa owning friend rechecked the clutch which I had just assembled as it was given not expecting any more trouble. After much time with the genuinely helpful parts dealer who I had assembled it and checked with in October assembled it including rollers and all but didn?t bolt it down ( he?s pulling hair out with variable parts that won't assemble ). The original hub adapter, the new clutch sprocket, and centre and plates and SRM top plate.
I assembled it as is last week without rechecking as was pleased at the lack of wobble, Unfortunately the reason for this being was it was locked up I didn?t notice it . The new centre does not have a raised boss, the old one does which gives clearance. This locks the centre to the sprocket negating the clutch, no wonder the plates didn't separate! On the plus side you get no chain wheel wobble! Or clutch.
This is why the clutch wouldn?t separate!
We put the old solid triumph centre in and the clutch worked beautifully,
Graham taught me how to set the retard, use the tickler and air lever to start it and even with a viscously slipping kick-start pawl after two kicks it went. Ran perfectly and quietly with air lever in right place
Now fully aware that the air lever is not same as choke on a car or scooter, the reason for oiled plugs has to be fully operated to run lean enough.
The only snag with buying a seized wreck is you have never seen it running.
Stripped the box to remove the dead pawl after struggling to knock the end cast off.
Re removing gear box cover I found very good way of getting it off easily (being a natural bodger and never giving up), with all retaining screws and nuts removed.
Take off the little inspection cover over the push rod , make a strap of sheet steel about 150mm long 12mm wide 1.6mm thick with two 6mm holes either end , with penny washers fit this with the two screws and hook a slide hammer through or bit of twine round a lump hammer ( 0.5m) and it will pull of easily after a couple of swings. Will put a pic up later
Stripped the clutch and sent it all back to my supplier old and new as he wants to know what?s changed to cause the bind as he doesn?t want sell any more with a possible problem. He was very apologetic and concerned as usual unlike some others
Found some serviceable pawl and pinions in a badly corroded gearbox I had ( and was given some by my friend) so just waiting for gaskets, locking plates and the return of the clutch to really get it running
Thanks for your interest and help.
Steve