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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Kick start question.

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Hi, We have recently found a 20" Marquis, and the kick start does not catch on when the pedal is pressed down,    There may be a dog clutch in there thats worn out, our question is , could someone tell us how to take off the flywheel , the one with the shoes on, and what are we liklely to find there.   Cheers Jim.

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wristpin Tue, 05/11/2013

Never seen a Marquis with a kick start  - what engine is it; could it be a JAP ? If so my guess is that you may have a Meteor or Matador.

The Ransomes parts book suggests that the kick start is an engine part and is not illustrated in detail but the first step is to separate the engine from the chassis so undo the engine mounting bolts and then with a copper hammer tap the flywheel to pull the engine away from the cross shaft. - it may pull out of the spigot bearing or may bring the bearing out with it.. You now have the clutch back plate/flywheel exposed and this is where my practical knowledge runs out so hopefully someone else will help, but behind the spigot bearing you will possibly find a fairly large hex head screw (bolt) . Undo this and if the flywheel is mounted on a parallel shaft it may pull off but it could be mounted on a taper. To release one mounted on a taper the normal method of removing it would be to "shock it off" but never having done one with the kick start mechanism behind the flywheel I'm not sure about access - hopefully someone else will come to the rescue.

On edit

Just found this an a JAP Model 3, type 26 manual. Says "As supplied to Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries Ltd". May help.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9hnz8a5nwvjkubm/JAP%20Kick%20start%2020001.pdf

Jimthemower Tue, 05/11/2013

Hi there and thanks,  that link and your comment say a lot,   the bearing didnt come out ,but i am sure we can get the flywheel off now,  I was not sure about the model. but i think its a Villiers  engine.   Cheers Jim.