M32 First riding impressions and a couple of snags

[Hamwic]

Hi All,

I have ventured out on the M32 a few times, gradually going further each time, and so far the performance of the machine is quite pleasing and "sprightly" would sum it up. after a significant up-sizing of the main jet to 140 from 80, it starts readily on the choke, and settles down to an even beat when warm. Although the advance/retard cable is moving the cam ring, it seems to make very little difference to the "feel" of the bike, but knocked back a bit from the 40 degrees feels OK. The relined clutch is beginning to settle down, and it frees and takes up from a standstill OK, but can drag a bit when changing gear in motion.

I am oiling at about 1 drop a second when ticking over, and smoke is minimal. "External lubrication" is not excessive, but the rate of return to the oil tank tank is gentle, and tank remained cold this morning. It's a drip-feed crank, with one plain and one roller bearing big end, and it seems to be quite happy. Perhaps however the rate of feed could be increased?

The main issue with the machine is the pushrod tubes. I had to remake the badly rusted and mangled originals, and lovingly re-created the castellated lock rings, saving the threaded portions to be silver soldered into new telescopic tubes. When done up tight when cold, they come loose when hot, and the bike sounds like a squad of bell-wearing country dancers is following me down the road. The tubes and lock rings a-jingling about on the pushrods cannot escape, but doing them up again when it's all piping hot is not easy. Within a few miles, they are loose again. There is no space for a resilient mounting as other manufacturers used e.g. rubber rings etc, so I suspect I will have to come up with something more exotic. Any suggestions please?

I know that a lot of 1930's machinery was designed for the TT jockeys of the day, and low saddle heights were all the rage, but at just shy of 6ft tall and 13 stone, the riding position for me is pretty extreme. The saddle springs, although the originals and presumably a bit tired, seem to tip me well forward as I don't seem to be heavy enough, so I will have to raise the nose of the saddle and get some lower rate and/or shorter springs.

The bars, passing under the steering damper link, are very low. The footrests too far back, so I'm looking over the top of my glasses most of the time. The brake pedal sits ridiculously high, so slowing down on the rear brake and changing gear whilst remaining in control seems to be a bit fraught. These were all placed by looking at the period catalogue illustration(s).

Because of the Can-Can-esque brake position, whilst coasting to a halt in third is OK, in modern stop/go traffic second gear is to be favoured, but hard to get. It's a knack I suppose, but I think the brake pedal position will have to be re-arranged soon. Moving either my feet or the footrests forward brings my right booted shin into contact with the carburettor, and the similarly the brake pedal is even more difficult to reach. Not ideal!

All in all it's been a pleasant exercise so far, and the nearly-finished result is potentially delightful once the niggles are addressed. I just hope that the ergonomics of the beast don't get the better of me!

Cheers for now
Doug







Images converted to linked files - Dave, 16Sep2021