How does the reverser work?

[BertBert]

I have taken it off so it can be mended, but I am wondering how it works.

I have uploaded some pics here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/562285725mXdGA...

So in pic 1, you have:

1- motor
2- Reduction gear?
3- roundy thing that goes round one way
4- circular plate with two round holes in that doesnt go round.

So I guess that the general principle is that bit 3 goes round and the dogs go through the holes in bit 4 to engage with the dogs on the output gear on the engine. If so, what makes it go up and why is bit 4 there?

In pics 2 and 3 you can see that the round plate at the end is a bit knacked. Is that going to be a problem?

Thanks
Bert

[BertBert]

ahhh, that'll be the problem with mine too then! No balls.
Bert

[BertBert]

A quick update...

after fiddling with wiring and stuff, the reverser now activates and turns. Sadly with no ball bearings it's never going to achieve movement!!

I guess I need to contact radical to get new bits for the end?

Thanks
Bert

[BertBert]

Thanks JP
Bert

[BertBert]

Thanks JP. I think I get it! There are no springs or anything, the holes in the plate are just under 16mm dia and the ballbearings just get pushed into the holes as the motor turns. I assume the end plate has to come off to fit the ballbearins (unless they just push through the hole).

I think I need a new endplate as well as the ball bearings as mine is very distorted!

Bert

[BertBert]

So latest update, Radical do not seem to have any spares for the reverser. I can get the ball bearings, but the end plate is very bent and I don't have any idea what the spring thing looks like.

Anyone got any ideas on this? On advice from Radical, I spoke to EMD who seem to have made some or all of it, but they only have records of supplying the motor, not the gearbox piece.

Thanks
Bert

[BertBert]

Thanks Rob, JP measured his ball bearings for me at 16mm, but a picture of the spring mechanism would be excellent. I'll take it to my expert fabricator to see what he can do.

Bert

[BertBert]

that's what I told the man in parts today! Anyone know who supplied them?
BErt

[BertBert]

Rob, did you manage to post a pic?
Thanks
Bert

[BertBert]

Brilliant Rob, thanks. I assume the spring usually sits under the balls? (ooh er).
Bert

[BertBert]

you have to press it apart and back together. So you take the bolt out and support the top (letting the motor and gearbox dangle) either (carefully) use a drift or a long bolt screwed into the hole or (preferrably) use a press. It's tight but not tight.

There is a woodruf key that'll come out too (PITA to get back in).

Bert

[BertBert]

also, forgot to say that I acquired a spare (not many of those left) that could be used as a pattern for a new one to be made. I could ask the famous "Rick the fabricator" in woking how much it'd cost to make one if it helps?

He added a mod to mine to have a retaining ring rather than a spring. No idea if it works yet! It might get nadgered at my first spin and I'll be needing the spare!

Bert

[BertBert]

I'll follow up with Rick next week when I am back from afar. I mentioned it to him last week.

The holes are just big enough for the ball bearings to go through.

Bert

[BertBert]

I'll follow up with Rick next week when I am back from afar. I mentioned it to him last week.

The holes are just big enough for the ball bearings to go through.

Bert

[BertBert]

the quaiffe is the modern version and it's not electric AFAIK. We are talking about the archane bike-starter, redection gearbox and ball-bearing lashup of old!

Bert

[BertBert]

yes it would be awesome to get rid of the chain! There is a lot of slack in the bolt adjustment mechanism on mine (bolts and threaded bushes worn), that it is a real pita to adjust. You adjust it to what you think is right, do up the lock nuts and it goes slack. So you have to adjust to slightly too loose, then do up the locknuts and hope it comes out right. Horrid.

Bert