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General => General Douglas Discussion => Topic started by: ted on 24 Jul 2005 at 13:58

Title: Petrol taps, gearbox question for Dragonfly
Post by: ted on 24 Jul 2005 at 13:58

I have acquired a very nice 1956 Dragonfly.
Can any one help with information.
What type of petrol tap was originally fitted to this model
The one fitted at the moment is knurled round pull out type with cork and has reserve position.
Now something a little more worryig.
With the engine running,first gear selected,And the clutch disengaged I cannot roll the bike backwards it appears to lock. any ideas.

Title: Petrol taps, gearbox question for Dragonfly
Post by: trevorp on 25 Jul 2005 at 07:48

single pull tank tap was correct for this model
does it roll back without the engine running, if it does look at the countershaft sprocket for movement
make sure back wheel is aligned
make sure no brake shoe springs have broken

Title: Re: Petrol taps, gearbox question for Dragonfly
Post by: eddie on 28 Mar 2006 at 18:10

Quote from: trevorp on 25 Jul 2005 at 07:48

single pull tank tap was correct for this model
does it roll back without the engine running, if it does look at the countershaft sprocket for movement
make sure back wheel is aligned
make sure no brake shoe springs have broken

Ted, I bought my Dragonfly from the original owner and was assured that nothing had been changed. It had a petrol tap of the push on/ push off type with a lever just above the plunger for the reserve. Regarding not being able to push the bike backwards with first gear engaged - I would suggest you look at the gearbox and check that the kickstart is 'timed' correctly- at rest, the kickstart ratchet should be out of mesh with the kickstart gear (lining up with the cutout). If it is still in mesh, pushing the bike backwards will only force the kickstart up against the stop - eventually breaking it.
       Regards, Eddie.