Excelsior frozen in time

[Stein.S]

Magneto. After a clean up the magneto gives sparks. The bearing at the sprocket side is in a very bad condition. The inner ring is also stuck, and there will be a need for a new bearing. Do anyone know the type of bearing? Would like to order one but its difficult to measure without getting the inner ring off the axle.

The timing. It is possible, because of the damaged bearing, that the timing was off because sprocket slipped. There is two markings at the sprocket for magneto. The only information I have is from the handbook for 1921 model. From the AMCA library (Found that one after a tip in this forum thread) However, the one in the handbook shows a sprocket with one mark only. Because cylinders is attached to the engine, it is a bit difficult to measure distance before top dead center. Managed to find tdc for both cylinders by using camera. The timing as it was seems to be a bit early? Do anyone have a picture with markings that show the timing for this motor? With the Berling magneto and two markings at the sprocket?

Best regards, Stein-S

[Stein.S]

Thank you for answering.
It seems like the set screw had the slot melted away.
I bought new towers for Bosch magneto. Good to know that this ones is not possible to buy. Will have to be extra careful then.
think first step will be to try removing the cable piece by piece. If I can get it out, maybe lubricate and try to drill a small hole in top of the setscrew and see if a torque bit might get hold enough for getting the screw out.
Edit: None of the two cables was attached under the set screws. One was glued to the bakelite and the other one was loose. The set screws missing slot have been a problem before….many years ago…
its a too big risk to drill in the set screws, so think best solution is to use a bit of glue and maybe use spings from a ballpoint pen between the set screws and the cables.

[bernhardt]

Be very careful!! The pick up is Bakelite and will easily shatter or break. It looks like you pulled the brush and spring out of the tapered end of the pick up . Now look into the hole - you should see a small slotted set screw. Back the screw out a few turns, and it should release the spark plug wire. Put all of those little parts in a plastic bag or a jar - they are impossible to replace.

[Stein.S]

Do anyone know how this tower is supposed to be opened?

[Stein.S]

Filled the cylinders with a mix of kerosene and 2-stroke oil. After a while it came loose without using force…
Before loosening I checked the inside of the cylinders with a camera. There was no rust.
Next step is to fill pure oil into cylinders and turn it.
Spark cables are not in a good shape. Will have to change them. Do not know if it will be needed to remove the magneto to get access.
I do understand that my knowledge here is low. Have seen the 1921 maintanance book at the AMF library( got a tip about it here) Do anyone know if there is any detailed information about the engine somewhere?

Regards
Stein.S

[Stein.S]

[Stein.S]

[Stein.S]

Some more pictures

[Stein.S]

The story about the bike is that a man from Norway lived in America for a while and brough the bike with him when he moved back to Norway. Some younger relative wanted the bike, and removed some parts probably hoping to get the rest of the bike later. My friend bought it probably around 1965. It has been stored after that. It is an area with cold weather and little humidity in the air. So guess bike looks about the same as it did in 1965. Except for the tires, which are damaged and hard as stone. Owner means the engine turned when he moved the bike around like 10-15 years ago.

[Stein.S]

Thanks for good advices. Marvel mystery oil is not easy to get here in Norway, but to fill kerosene in the cylinders, let it work for a while, and if it moves without using any hard force, then fill in 50 oil to soak up the cylinder walls while turning? If engine does not easily get loose, then try the acethon and atf mix..?
to oil up the mag…tips about that noted, thanks. When engine is loosened, heat the engine upmanbit, to try getting the old hard oilmandngrease to soften up before starting to turn it?
if all seems ok, drain engine, fill in the 3 pumps, or the amuont tre pumps would be giving the pump worked as it should?
Seasonnforndriving started here. My 19ˋHarley need to get the rear wheel adjusted, so first fix that.

[BigLakeBob]

As Gene said, it was running when turned off and parked. There are several videos of Dale Walksler from Wheels Through Time Museum using a hot plate under the engine to simulate the engine shut down and getting things freed again. Great bike, good luck!

[gharper]

Exciting times! Great opportunity to get your hands on a nice old bike that doesn't seem to have been molested much!

Beware the X has big bronze bushings for both main bearings as well as brass bushings in the timing chest. I like Marvel mystery oil, great penetrating oil, good lubricant, smells good and doesn't eat anything up, including your hands! Try oiling the magneto bearings, there is a flip top oiler at each end. If it will take oil, get plenty in there and start the slow process of turning things over. Keep us posted on your progress! Remember, the thing was most likely running when it was parked.

[Stein.S]

The bike is not mine, but it is a luxury to be the one who are going to try wake it up after probably at least 75 years. Thanks for advice about mixing in ATF oil with acetone. I have a 20ˋ Harley engine which turned when I got it. When I took it apart the magneto was almost totally stucked, It was not possible to notice while turning the engine with a wrench. It was not damaged, but it make me think it would be smart to remove the magneto at the Excelsior, and check it before trying to release the engine. Because garage is full, it will be a while, a week or two, before anything will be done with the bike. Bought new tyres for the project 1 1/2 years ago, and they will be fitted on as the first thing to do…The old tyres are thrash. Its problematic to push the bike around now…

[JoJo357]

What a beauty. You must be a very happy man. Suspended in time. It doesn't get much better than that. happy motori9ng!

He's only 1/2 happy Rich O. The Excelsior is an old friends motorcycle that he happens to be working on.

*M.A.D.*

[JoJo357]

Good Luck Stein. If the Kerosene doesn't work, try using ATF. Some guys add a 50/50 mix of Acetone & ATF. I've used straight acetone inside of my sPeEdWaY motors to clean out old Castrol R~it works wonders. Just don't use it on Brass.

*M.A.D.*