A trip to a company called 'Aire Erosion' (in the outskirts of Leeds UK) with my precious gear blanks was arranged. On arrival I pointed out that one of the old gears seemed to have a timing mark in line with one of the keyway slots and also that corresponded to mid-way on a gear tooth. If the keyway that they were about to 'erode' for me could match likewise that would be brilliant. I'm pretty sure this is linked to timing the valve camshaft but as the engine has never being together with a view to run it's a guess. No problem, I'll dial the teeth in as I centre for eroding. Phewwweee!!!!, thought that ask might have been a problem but no...easy peasy.
Couple of weeks go by and I can collect. Well, they certainly look the part, but will they fit the crank.? I'm not doubting the erosion accuracy but the measurements we put on the DXF were my best guestimate using a set of digital calipers that may or may not be accurate up to 0.02mm which is nowhere near the 0.002mm possible using the eroding engineering process.
Back in 'The Old Sidevalve Bar' it was time......time to see if I had wrecked 3 gears and paid for the privilege...A trial fitting could be held off no longer....Oh Crikey!! Cor Blimey!!! Sometimes the Vintafake Gods are smiling on the Vintafake living . They were today... A crank made in the Black Country and gears machined in the 'Shire' sat there in front of my eyes....like they'd always been a pair. All unique...Art and then more art stacked one on top of another.!..
Next job for these 3 gears will be machining to size width ways. Flanges to incorporate too, replicating the Raleigh originals as near as possible.
Keep looking in..
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