Info request: Matchless G3L timing side crankshaft axle / bearing ??
A friend of mine is looking for a replacement timing side crankshaft axle for his WD Matchless G3L as his is damaged.
It is the early needle and bush type - the needles run directly on the axle which acts as the inner race.
I believe this is different to later WD G3L’s which had a different roller bearing and therefore different timing axle where the entire bearing is a separate piece and the inner race slides onto the axle.
There is little information about this that we can find online and am wondering are these parts available new or is there a conversion to the later type axle and bearings available?
OR does anyone have one for sale or could point us in the right direction please. Any info appreciated.
Re: Info request: Matchless G3L timing side crankshaft axle / bearing ?? (Edited by Author)
Early bikes up through 1947 have a bushing and roller bearing on the timing side. From 1948 on (long stroke bikes) the roller bearing was deleted and replaced by a new version shaft and bushing. Short stroke bikes are different.
So what you have is:
000760 –timing shaft
017377 – bushing
41-G3-E541 - roller bearing (not available)
So if the roller is still OK, you can just replace the shaft and bushing. But after 80 years they are usually at the end of their life.
The other option is to use the later bushing from a 1952 -1953 model. It is longer than the original bushing and takes up the space where the roller used to be.
017489 – bushing.
You need to keep using the 1947 and earlier type shaft as the oil pump driving gear is different on later bikes. If you use a later model shaft you would need to also replace the oil pump.
Important!!!!!!!
For the heavyweight singles, AJS/Matchless made seven different versions of the timing shaft. They also made six different bushings and three different roller bearings. You must make sure you have the correct parts whether you are keeping the original roller or converting to the later bushing. The different model shafts/bushings can look very similar and using the wrong parts will destroy the motor. And keep in mind you are going to need to ream the bushing for a proper fit on the shaft.
A dealer I was using in the UK when restoring a 1951 AJS 18S, sent me three different bushings, all were wrong for my bike!
