Excelsior Series 19 Kick Starter

[downunder vl]

Hi all,

I'm having some trouble with the mechanism of the kick start on my Series 19 Excelsior. It is not disengaging cleanly. Below are photos of the parts.

My thoughts are that the spacer/washer behind the inner dog/ratchet gear is too thick. If someone could let me know the OD, ID and thickness I would be grateful.

The photos show all the parts that I have. Any other comments welcome.

THank you
Phill

[exeric]

I assume you have Excelsior parts books which I believe are available on the AMCA library. Of course those books only identify parts of an assembly and have no dimensions. I had that later starter clutch on my Series 20 Ex but I couldn't tell you anything about it dimensionally. To my memory, the earlier starter clutch (pre 1919?) was simple and reliable. Regardless, those parts are very difficult to find and one is inevitably tasked with making those parts. So, my advice thus far is useless to you, Phill. I will give you encouragement to make the spacer behind the dog and go through the process of making one that suits your application. I've been going through that gruesome process on my 1941 Sport Scout making girder fork spacers that fit MY application. . . . Easy to say, but every failure means taking everything apart and putting everything back together with a new guess. I wish I could give you numbers, Phill but I can only give you support

[gharper]

Phil,

Looking at your pictures, it looks like you have a mish mash of parts perhaps. I've always been under the impression that the post 20 spring loaded large gear was inter-changable with the pre 20 gear. Looks like the transmission mainshaft may be a bit earlier. I can say for sure the spacer behind the drive sprocket is not too long. The small ratchet gear needs to be pressed on with the key in place and pushed up against the small shoulder. There is just a bit of clearance behind that shoulder for the main gear to clear the starter gear, so that part is OK. Possibly the big starter gear is too thick? You say it won't disengage, so you mean it will not ratchet backwards when the starter lever is returned upright? If this is the case, then assemble it without the inner coil spring and check the action. The outer gear should engage fully when pushed in for starting. The outer gear should then clear the dogs when pulled out against the washer. If that is good, install the spring and be sure the coil against the gear fits inside the groove on the gear. The spring should be totally flat when compressed, and coils up inside itself. If it will not disengage with the spring, then the spring it soo thick, or the gear is too thick, or the shaft is too short.

I'm not sure any of this makes sense, but I will have my 24 Big X apart here soon and I'll take some pictures and a few dimensions. Can you post a picture of how you have it assembled?