EW Clutch Return Spring

[bazza]

Hi All,Can anyone help me re return spring for the clutch where does it fit please.
also can someone send a photo of how the A/R cable is set up on the maggy.

Regards Bazza

[davebarkshire]

I can't answer the clutch question as I've not managed to get the flywheel off yet due probably to the thread being damaged but I've taken a photo that shows the advance/retard cable on the magneto which may be of some use.

PS : There are some more photos here http://www.barkshire.co.uk/bikes/DouglasEW1926.htm

[bazza]

Hi Dave,Thanks you have been very helpful a picture says a thousand words, if you look to the left of your picture you can see the clutch return spring it appears to slide over the cable between the operating arm and the cable adjuster funnny looking spring and doubt if I'll find one the same but I'm sure I can find something that will do the job.Hows your restoration going like mine its probably costing a fortune ut there you go thats restoring for you!

Regards Bazza

[davebarkshire]

Bazza

My EW is just about ready to go except for the clutch. The wheels have been rebuilt and it has nice fat 26x3" tryes which really do look good. The new brakes seem to work certainly wheeling it around the garage but its hard to say how they will fare when hurtling down a 1:4 gradient with a hairpin at the bottom. White knuckles time I think.  The clutch needs to come apart because it doesn't work for some reason and also there is a noise which I think may be coming from that region. When I bought the Douglas it had an MOT certificate obtained by a motorcycle dealer in Polegate and the ancient front tyre exploded the first time that I put air into it and the front brake did absolutely nothing so I have to assume that the dealer knew the MOT tester very well. The biggest expense for me was the wheel rebuild but also the nickel plated exhaust was not cheap and because it didn't fit I have to have it welded which will ruin the nickel. I've been warned by other members from this forum that these exhausts do not fit well and passed on my comments to the supplier but they weren't interested. The flywheel threads where the extractor fit are damaged which means that I can't get it off at the moment so I'm stuck for the moment. Chris Wright may have a solution to this as he has a similar problem. So I'm very gee'd up about havig my first proper ride of the Douglas and when we eventually emerge from the dead zone of winter here in the UK I hope to have the bike out in the green lanes.

Regards - Dave

[Daren W Australia]

Hi Barry try the spring section at bunnings thats where I found my springs look at the pic you can see the spring in the shears / secateurs Regards Daren

[bazza]

G'Day Darren,Now why didn't I think of that thanks mate.

Bazza

[Alan Cun]

Hello All, There is mention of flywheel removal????? In all the Doug motors I have owned and stripped during the past 35 years I have not owned or needed a flywheel puller. You often hear the stories of the generations even older than me of the flywheel coming loose and passing them while riding down the road. Now this hasnt happened to me but I can assure you if they are not tightened sufficently they will come loose and the damage can be expensive. I have never needed other than a piece of wood and a hit from the opposite side of the engine. Rotate the flywheel to hit different parts of the circumference. I say hit but maybe a tap increasing to a hit. Maybe another method if that hit needs to be a bash??????     regards Al

[eddie]

Bazza,
           From Dave's pictures, it looks as if the spring may be the same as those on postwar brake cables. They only have a light action and are intended more as a telescopic dust cover. Secateur springs have a much heavier action and, usually, much shorter movement - resulting in a much heavier feel to the clutch. If you're a member, LDMCC postwar spares can supply a new brake spring from stock.
                              Regards,
                                           Eddie.

[Stuart Lister]

Hi,
The cable return spring shown in Dave's photo (the one similar in appearance to a secateurs spring) is called a volute spring. They are available from all the usual cycle cable component suppliers.

If you are in the UK, try J.J. Cables Ltd, 01926 651470.

[Alan Cun]

Hello All, Just my observation but whenever I set up a clutch cable I usually end up with about 3 inches between the lift arm and the top crankcase bracket. Now if you can make that flat wound spring work over that distance, go for it. They can easily work on the maggy if your return spring is suspect. But for me I forget originality and fit either a compression coil spring on the cable or a carburettor style extension spring to the frame base mainly on the 600 cc models. Just an alternative if frustration gets the better of you. At least if you have a kit of different compression springs you have a choice of lever pressure.?????????????? Al

[bazza]

Hi All,Thanks for all the input I finished up using a compression spring (thanks Alan )

Bazza