In the Milntown Collection in the Isle of Man is the 1923 TT winning Freddy Dixon banking sidecar outfit, although I understand the RA machine is not the actual winning machine. The outfit was last used about 15 years ago in a TT parade but unfortunately one of the pistons disintegrated and seized the big end on that side.
I have read with interest the details, and complexity of the RA crank, and refurbishment of the damaged crank seems all but impossible. Manufacture of a new, simpler ‘pressed up’ crank has been investigated, as the engine will never be run ‘in anger’ again, but to have it run is our aim.
However, my query is, did Douglas fit a crankshaft of the RA dimensions, albeit a bolt-up or pressed-up type, to any model?
I am one of number of volunteers looking after the Milntown bikes and cars and do have access to some precision engineering facilities on the island. Any advice would be much appreciated.
