Forum

[Dennis O]

Can anyone tell me the procedure to take out the backlash on the timing gears on a 06 Electra. I have manual but no procedure. Otherwise the bike is running well. (Sorry Norm)

[Norm]

Dennis, I'm not sorry, I'm happy for you, as long as you are happy. To adjust the spindles you need the cam lobe down so there is no valve spring weight on the exhaust cam, then you adjust the spindle to minimize the lash on the timing pinion. To get this right it is best to remove the inlet cam, then once you have the exhaust adjusted then you can refit the inlet cam and with the inlet valve closed adjust the inlet cam to minimize the lash in the inlet cam against the exhaust cam. You don't want them adjusted too tight because the gears being of Indian quality are not the most accurate and can bind as they rotate, a thou out of round and it can cause problems if they are adjusted up too tight. Personally I would leave well enough alone and have a bit of noise unless you have some reason for wanting to adjust them

[Leon Novello]

Gurunandan might be of some help.
http://www.nandanmotors.com/camgear.html

[Dennis O]

Thanks to Norm and Leon for the reply. I will take your advice Norm and leave well alone and not even take off the cover. The noise comes on just above tick over while bike is on stand. Quick opening the throttle produces no noise.
Local dealer no longer sells Enfield bikes. On ordering a spare clutch cable it came with the modified cam to stop the cable from fraying and snapping inside the cover. When telling them the bike was running perfectly the reply was that out of the thousands they produce they had to get one good one. Had a good laugh at that reply but left the shop with fingers crossed.
Have done only 3 mods by fitting 19 then 20 gearbox sprocket and good quality new chains primary and rear. Fitted the Watsonia rear brake system so now have a rear brake that works.

[Norm]

Dennis, I have no doubt that they got some right, law of averages, but what really got up my nose was the fact they got a lot more wrong than they got right, and then they had the cheek to blame the owners in a typical Indian response,golly golly gosh this can't be right, we never have this problem before.

[Gwilly]

Dennis, just curious. What is this Watsonian rear brake mod you speak of?

Is it a replacement part to fit or something else?.. Give us a pointer mate.

[Dennis O]

Hello Gwilly, Watsonian rear brake mod does away with the thin crossover shaft that just twists when you apply the rear brake. I stripped down the rear brake unit to find only one shoe was working due to the cam bush being bolted up tight and then covered with paint. I freed this off and now had a fully floating bush that allowed the two shoes to make contact with the drum but it made very little difference.
Phone Watsonian and ask for workshop. I had to send rear brake pedal and other parts to them. Mod came back as two tubes welded together and parts they did not use. I asked our host about this mod but as the Electra is so old had no reply. This system works and I can now lock the back wheel. I will ask my son (45) if he can load up some photo's I have of the new unit as at nearly 73 years young it is beyond my current skills. I had a bit of a wait for this being done due to them losing the original drawings but after making mine I am sure the can make this unit much quicker. Main thing is I now have a rear brake that works.

[Dennis O]

Hello Norm, loved your golly golly josh this cannot be right. We have never had this problem before. The times this has been quoted to me over the years to me is unbelievable. Even when the car factory I visited had around 50 dead gel batteries stacked up that had been returned under warranty. Fully discharged gel batteries apparently (made in the USA) at the time could not be brought back to life. As this company were making 12 cars a week at the time you can understand golly golly. Cause was the new wiring harness with built in alarm and immobiliser draining the battery if the car was not used. Owners were given a small trickle charger to use but the charger could not produce enough to stop the drain so more golly golly.
What bikes are you using now Norm. Just been over the road from our home to help a friend to fit his exhaust back onto his Triumph Bonneville (he has 4) and is a past Enfield owner. Freezing cold today. Happy New Year Norm and keep these little gems coming.

[Norm]

Hi Dennis, I still have my Interceptor which is very reliable, I also have an 82 CB750 and an 86VFR, I recently sold my other CB750 which I regretted as soon as I sold it.I sold the 3 Bullets I had earlier last year

[Gwilly]

I understand now, thanks Dennis.. My brake pedal is already on the left so not afflicted with that crossover abortion, thank goodness.

Thats a good idea of yours to check that floating cam bush, I need to change out the rear tyre before the summer season so will take a butchers whilst the wheels off..

Brake seems ok but maybe i've just gotten used to it.. Don't think i could lock the wheel on tarmac though so maybe could be improved..