I think this topic sums up why this forum is so busy even though its early days. It's nice to see that the admin listen to what the members want rather than saying tuff that's the way it is. A big thumbs up from me!
Great video thanks, I've got a copy of the workshop manual(wacker) for the engine but my scanner isn't working at present and also have got a couple of sales sheets.
Here's a shot of the fuel top on mine, it actually looks worse in the flesh.
Thanks for the fantastic link, its nice to see what it started out as. I'm particuarly pleased to see that some had a recoil starter fitted, as I've got one off a wacker wm75 engine(exactly the same engine) that I was considering fitting to ease starting with a bad hip.
the petrol tank looks like an NSU quickly moped one early 60s can you post a pictof how the cap fits to the tank and the diamiter i might have one, and what is wrong with the one shown?
ill go out to the shed on the weekend, as am never back during daylight at the moment throughout the week. If you have got one that would be great as the one fitted is badly dented.
Like your briggs engined 350 or is it a 300...Gareth....will have to track one .....they are a good seller and over here they sell fast on the odd occasion they come up for sale.
Hi pat its a 300, a first year of production machine, no575.
Hi Gareth I always had it in my head that the early British built Howard gems had the BJ engine...didn't realise that the jap engine was available in the those first few hundred machines. Was expecting the ruggerni version to be bigger horsepower.
Any idea when the last British Juniors engines were made?
Hi pat just looked it up in the dowdswell price list of 1986 and its actually listed as 12hp. If its any interest the list price was £2678, in those days a small car wouldn't of cost that much more new!
Forgive my ignorance of the Howards range, but what is the model and year of the one in the 3rd image?. I like it and recognise it from many years ago.
As far as I'm aware japs were avaliable scince the1930's, the howard 6 that I regrettably needed to sell had one. Very early gems with the cycle type handlebars were fitted with japs when they were avaliable, although Howard's even raided scrap yards for motorcycle engines to keep production going, then were retro fitted at a later date with the correct engine when materials became avaliable. The more normal type handle bar series 1 machines were fitted with British junior engines. Series 2 usually had British juniors fitted, but sometimes the jap was fitted. Series 3 had both options, then most 4's had the 180 degree version of Howard's twin but a small batch came with japs for some reason. Series 4 was the first time a diesel-the Sachs, was an option. British juniors were made into the early 50's. re the ruggerni, diesel horsepower I s always more than the equivalent petrol.
Am now waiting for a carb kit to come in from the states(about half the price of one in the uk) and also am waiting for some more off cuts of steel to finish the rotor shields off, this is why I allways keep a few projects on the go at once.
Here's my howard hako, a German made machine imported by howard in small numbers to try and fend off the invasion of merry tillers etc. I have now sourced the correct wheels, does anyone have a spare fuel top please?
Hi pat, the dowdswell does look a bit rough in the photos however most of it is superficial. The biggest problem with any diesel gem but particuarly the ruggerni version is that no thought was given to the extra vibration trying to shake the machine to pieces. The reason this one needs a gearbox is the original owners son used to start it up for the old boy in the morning then it was left ticking over all day and all the shafts etc have worn away at the casing. The rear rotor covers have in exceptional condition and it is still supposed to be on its original set of tines. I believe it is rated at 9-10hp.
With reference to the earlier machine ive also got an Australian junior, apparently quite an early example, probably dating from around 1930. There is a lot of similarities. The roteho in picture has a British junior fitted however after researching its history in the factory records it would of originally had a jap engine instead, so I have obtained a 1940's example redy to fit should I ever turn up another gearbox. From g501 onwards the gearbox (and thus main frame)was lengthened by about 2inches to incorprate a change of design to the the main shaft berring.
Here's a shot of g621, another early gem that I own, after nearly two years of trying I still haven't persuaded the clutch to come off the main shaft.
Here's some shots of my oldest and newest gems. The first is a roteho gem number g367. I'm still looking for a gearbox for this one( needs to come off a machine with the number g500 or lower).-if ny one can help?
The second is a dowdeswell 650, this also needed a new gearbox, which I've now managed to turn up a correct period one. G367 is from 1942 and the 650 from 1988, even tough they are 46 years apart you can see bar the engine how little the design changed over the years.
Hi I've got a howard gem that I purchased for its kohler engine, rear covers are very good for one of these, I've also got a hatz Diesel engine with bell housing and correct spec fuel tank etc (will bolt straight on) the injector was refurbished and was running well about 3 years ago. The only down side is the air filter is a bit squashed. I was going to build this up into a complete machine and use it myself, however ongoing hip trouble means this is unlikely for the forseable future. £400. My location is Hereford, about 7 miles from the end of the m50 at Ross. 07967 803 833.
Hi I've got a Villiers d415 stationary engine for sale, reputed to be ex Gpo. Fully restored.these are a very rare engine indeed, and is the less common 7hp version.I need £400 for it. My location is Hereford 07967 803 833.
The chain case fitted to this machine was obviously a later replacement off a gem, originals it should of been plain, as you can see this one was just a bit beyond repair.
I have ground the gem name off and rewelded a replacement cover up as new ones are no longer avaliable. Not the best photo but can just be seen at the top with a skim of filler to finish off.
Whilst the welder was out I plugged all the holes in the tool box, here it is again with a Skim of filler.
I allways think its the little details that make a restoration project so commished the reproduction of these Id plates. Not cheap at £45 each but I think it's money well spent.
It seems that many different wheel options were tried on the 800. Mine came with wheels similar in design to the standard gem. Allthough there was plenty of tread left on the existing tyres, through standing for so long they were very badly perished so a new set of Vedestrain and tubes were fitted.
Restorations Section Information
in Finding your way around My Old Machine
Posted
I think this topic sums up why this forum is so busy even though its early days. It's nice to see that the admin listen to what the members want rather than saying tuff that's the way it is. A big thumbs up from me!