Slightly off topic - 16H gearbox and Sturmey Archer boxes
Hello Everyone,
I have a 1931 Sturmey Archer gearbox, HW 4 speed, as fitted to a Matchless X3, 1931, that later did WD service. This is, I'm told, very similar to the Norton 16H gearbox in internals. Would anyone happen to know which internals are the same? I'd like to refresh the S-A box.
Re: Slightly off topic - 16H gearbox and Sturmey Archer boxes
Hello everyone -
Just to update this post I have discovered that certain Norton gears can indeed be made to fit earlier gearboxes - particularly the laydown gearboxes and the dollshead type. I cannot be sure about the 16H, though, but I have some part numbers to be getting on with.
So if anyone has any spare lightly-used gears with the characteristic N 8--- stamped on them I'd be interested in buying them, especially third gear! The numbers will be easily visible.Used gears are often best fitted as pairsI'm told, if that helps.
Re: Slightly off topic - 16H gearbox and Sturmey Archer boxes
As far as I know, the SA box is the same as the Dollshead box, but I don't have a bike with an SA box to compare. There isn't much difference between all the Norton gearboxes up to Commando. When I rebuilt my Dollshead, I used Commando bearings and some bushes I had in stock fitted. Are you after a complete cluster or just a few gears? If you posted a close up picture of the part, we can compare.
Re: Slightly off topic - 16H gearbox and Sturmey Archer boxes
Allan,
I have just built one of these early 4 speed Sturmey boxes. Some gears are interchangeable but part numbers are different. I found the ratios were the same apart from second gear. Watch out for the layshaft as on your type it will run in a bronze bush in the back of the main case, where a Norton dolls head box has a roller bearing, so shafts are different lengths. Also the 3rd gear on the sturmey layshaft has not a floating bush as the Norton has so watch for this. Also the large sleeve top gear may not have the loose roller bearings in it. Watch for different lengths of these gears as well. Kickstart pawls are different but you can fit the whole kickstart shaft from a dolls head box.
Another tip, don't buy one of the Indian kickstart shafts, i have tried to use one in the past and it fitted ok but when i tried an original kickstart lever i founf the fine splines were different.
The gears you will need will be from a dolls head type box but watch for the points i have listed above.
Re: Slightly off topic - 16H gearbox and Sturmey Archer boxes
Tim,
This is really excellent information! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge as I set about rebuilding my Sturmey 4 speed. I will take careful note of all the points you made since these are the kinds of detailed tips that can only come from practical experience. I like to gather as much information as I can before I dismantle anything, as I've learned the hard way that memory can play tricks when it comes to reassembly. I always take plenty of pictures.
You've been very kind. Thank you! What is your Sturmey-Archer fitted to?
Re: Slightly off topic - 16H gearbox and Sturmey Archer boxes
Hello Horror,
Thanks so much for your good guidance! I'm in the information gathering stage right now, and I haven't dismantled my Sturmey Archer box yet. It tends to skip over third gear. The weather is against me just now, as my shed is about minus 7 celsius and as drafty as a railway station. I'll take plenty of pictures when things warm up.
