Forum

[Alex.]

Electra X Owners Manual says hold in the clutch lever when starting and stopping - I only mention it because my decompressor(like all Electra X?) is a light plastic lever and is getting a bit stiff..... I know, oil the cable!

ALEX.

[Alan R]

Hi guys------That old "sprag" reared it's ugly head again I see. I banged-on about this a month or two ago but here's my 10 euro (corrected against the Greek element) worth again }------------ First, have a read of this}----http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprag_clutch -------- and this }----http://www.gmnbt.com/freewheel_technology.htm ----- My own opinion is}--- If the bearing does NOT allow the full, uninterrupted counter-rotation at ANY GIVEN TIME and in ANY GIVEN SCENARIO then it is NOT A TRUE SPRAG CLUTCH, if only by definition.That's the whole point of having the things !! I think there is a fundamental flaw in the basic design and the use of parallel rollers actuated by inclined planes would fit our criteria far better. Having a failed bearing (at some £60 I believe) replaced by another of identical design means you are more than likely to have a repeat episode. ( Lessons of history etc. ). I'm not talking here of any new models that may have a different design but of the first types ( Iron engine-electric start, Bullet 65-electric start, Electra X-electric start). Given that RE is now a world-player (after a fashion) then it does them little or no credit that they do not even appear to be addressing this problem at all. I have fitted roller clutches on my 5" gauge locos with a 1/8" shaft and have fitted their larger "brother" on Army Personnel carriers transmitting over 250HP. It's definitely NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, just Cheapness at Chennai. Come on "Aftermarket Man" here's your chance to make some dosh !! BTW-- ours is not the only make to be suffering this er, little annoyance. Triumph, Ducati and some others I believe ??>>>>>>>> I now vacate the soapbox

[Norm]

We don't call them sprags out here anymore just "that unmentionable thingy" because sprag used to set up a flurry of answers. I have asked out here as to how many are still working but as nobody replied I think everybody is too scared to say that theirs is still working

[roberto]

Hi all you good people who replied to my rant, sorry about that,was having a bad day,having retarded the ignition a tad things seem mutch better,tried elec and kick start,many times no back fires, and starting, well , been using decompressor to stop and start ever since fitting last sprag,I know IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN and Iwont hold my breath Norm,I think Alan has been saying something along the right lines, by the way its the iron barrel classic i have ,please excuse the bad grammar/english,its been 66 years since i left school . KIND REGARDS TO YOU ALL. bOB hAZLEHURST.

[STU]

The green TCI unit from Watsonian Squire makes a significant difference. I have fitted one and replaced my sprag. It has not backfired once or clanged back when I stopped the motor since I fitted it. This WILL save the sprag from damage.
Also worth noting that a low battery or operating the starter for extended periods (because another issue is preventing it starting) will stress the mechanism and are best avoided.
Mines an Electra XS, I don't know if the green TCI works with other Enfields.