Author Topic: A7 Shims  (Read 2528 times)

Online BSA500

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A7 Shims
« on: 02.12. 2011 13:10 »
What is it with the shims on these engines this is the fourth time I have had to replace them. I set them up with about 1 to 1.5 thou clearance and after a few years they get torn up. The shock absorber nut is always tight the timing side bush is unworn etc. The bigest hassle is not just the splitting of the engine but the fact the debris normally buggers up the drive side bearing which again is hardly worn. The only upside is that I can split an A7 engine down in under 3 hours. I use it every day 26 miles a day and other than the vibration it was running really well. Rant over.

1960 A7 (57 motor to SS spec)

Online bsa-bill

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #1 on: 02.12. 2011 13:49 »
don't take offence if this is obvious to you BSA500, but we have had shims on the wrong side of the bearing before, the shims go between the bearing and the crank web, the crank web, the shims and the bearing inner should all be moving together as one so no wear should occur to the shims unless something moves that shouldn't, like perhaps the bearing is not tight on the crank?
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Online BSA500

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #2 on: 02.12. 2011 15:14 »
No offence taken. The shims are where they should be(or what was left of them:)). I will check the bearing fit although a new one is going on due to bits of burnt tinfoil wrapped around the rollers

1960 A7 (57 motor to SS spec)

Online RichardL

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #3 on: 02.12. 2011 15:41 »
I learned this here (maybe you did too; maybe you taught it): Grind out a bit of the I.D. on the old bearing and use is as the test bearing when coming up with the correct shim thickness.

Richard L.

Offline MG

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #4 on: 02.12. 2011 17:49 »
Just a thought, but is the distance piece on the crank fitted the right way 'round (ie chamfer facing inwards)?

Cheers, Markus
1955 A7 Shooting Star
1956 A10 Golden Flash
1961 Matchless G12 CSR

www.histo-tech.at - Restoration, Repairs, Racing

Austria

Online BSA500

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #5 on: 03.12. 2011 10:56 »
Ypep distance piece the right way round. Set up the crank last nught,well tried to takes ages. Found the bearing isn't as tight as it should be so will have sort it

1960 A7 (57 motor to SS spec)

Offline MG

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #6 on: 03.12. 2011 11:40 »
It is not uncommon to find the bearing seat ground down to a good sliding fit on the bearing inner race to facilitate end float adjustment. Usually this gives no trouble though, as long as there is no perceptible radial play, with the bearing fitted using high-strength Loctite and the cush drive nut done up properly.

As long as there is no relative movement between the inner bearing race and the crank, there is no obvious reason, as to why the shims should fail  ????
1955 A7 Shooting Star
1956 A10 Golden Flash
1961 Matchless G12 CSR

www.histo-tech.at - Restoration, Repairs, Racing

Austria

Online RichardL

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #7 on: 03.12. 2011 13:47 »
Markus,

For me, your post brings a lot of questions and I often think that whatever malady we are discussing may someday befall me. So, even if BSA500 understands exactly what you've said, please help me with it, a bit.

Am I correct that you are describing something different from the trial-fit disposable bearing I mentioned? By "bearing seat", are you referring to the inside diameter of the inner race? Is Loctite the only hope for a crank that is undersized on the drive side, or is it a case of, "If you have Loctite, why bother with anything more expensive or complicated?"? I was surprised to see this very use in a picture on Loctite's website ( http://useloctite.com/products/index.html ).

Richard L.

Offline MG

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #8 on: 03.12. 2011 15:14 »
Hi Rich!
Sorry if I caused you a headache  ;)

With "bearing seat" I was referring to the crankshaft pin itself. Many people simply grind 2-3thou away (during a crank regrind), resulting in a close sliding fit of the bearing inner race on the shaft. Personally I prefer the disposable bearing method, but there is no real downside associated with the before mentioned method, as long as the cush drive nut is tightened properly.

It had been done on my old small journal crank by one of the POs, without causing any problems, and that crank is now running happily in another member's plunger A10 (well, I hope it still is, haven't heard otherwise at least).
As long as there is no perceptible play and the crank pin isn't out of round, which could cause misalignment of the crank, Loctite is more or less unneeded. The inner race is clamped tightly between the distance piece and crank web anyway. Some Loctite will help to keep the bearing in place with the cush drive removed though and might help save the bearing seat in case of the cush nut coming loose. Imho it is best to leave the securing pin on the crank end away and rather hear the loose nut rub against the primary case, which will give you a chance to stop the bike immediately and fix it before the crankpin suffers damage (or use an SRM hex nut instead)!

Once the bearing seat on the crankshaft is damaged by a rotating bearing race (running on a loose cush drive for extended periods), and is out of round or play is evident, it can still be restored by hard-chroming or flame spraying with a subsequent regrind to restore the press fit.
1955 A7 Shooting Star
1956 A10 Golden Flash
1961 Matchless G12 CSR

www.histo-tech.at - Restoration, Repairs, Racing

Austria

Offline Goldy

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #9 on: 03.12. 2011 15:52 »
Even if the crankshaft is worn and the bearing inner ring is loose on the shaft, it still cannot turn because it is locked up with the C spanner nut. So if it has been turning then either the nut was not tight enough, or the nut inner length is wrong of the lobe is slipping.
All the best Goldy
56 A10 Golden Flash - Restore, ride, relive.                                          
56 C12 BSA project ongoing

Online bsa-bill

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #10 on: 03.12. 2011 16:16 »
Quote
Grind out a bit of the I.D. on the old bearing and use is as the test bearing when coming up with the correct shim thickness.

Good tip that one, will involve a bit of maths if the bearing inners are not quite the same width, I managed to get it right with a bit of addition possibly more good luck than good maths though
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Online BSA500

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #11 on: 04.12. 2011 21:15 »
Engine is nearly finished. Had one problem no means to measure the endfloat as I had misplaced my depth micrometer(machined tube fits over crankshaft spindle to measure depth off it) so I used the old fashioned way. Threw all the shims in and removed them until it spun freely. Put in 26 thou locked up,remove 2 thou shim still locked remove 2 thou,perfect so in theory no more than 2 thou clearance. Abit heath robinson but I need her for work this week,fingers crossed :)

1960 A7 (57 motor to SS spec)

Online muskrat

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #12 on: 05.12. 2011 06:26 »
 Sounds like you need to invest in a dial gauge. I'd go mad splitting the cases that many times.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
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Muskys Plunger A7

Offline Goldy

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #13 on: 05.12. 2011 08:49 »
Yes  you can get them for a few pounds on E bay or autojumbles.
56 A10 Golden Flash - Restore, ride, relive.                                          
56 C12 BSA project ongoing

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Re: A7 Shims
« Reply #14 on: 12.12. 2011 13:02 »
Back on the road again just in time for some very windy/wet weather joy:)

1960 A7 (57 motor to SS spec)