beardyrich 29 #1 Posted February 25, 2020 Following a recent offer of a free Westwood Gemini, I've stripped it down to it's bare bones and managed to get it back to a reasonable condition. I needed to purchase some new parts like ignition coil, HT lead and new NGK spark plug. Starter recoil assembly with rope and handle and new engine gaskets of course (in particular the correct thickness head gasket). The cylinder head was de-coked, cylinder bore de-glazed, inlet and exh valves lapped in and valve clearances adjusted to spec. Ignition timing reset by finding true TDC with a dial gauge and degree disc on the crankshaft. Zenith carb cleaned inside and out with carb cleaner and jets cleaned with compressed air. Similar for the fuel tank with a new fuel pipe fitted. The 'gloop' in the chaincase was removed as far as possible and refilled with new oil. Unfortunately, the chaincase is sealed for life though I would have liked to get inside and give it a proper clean and renew the axle shaft seals. Everything torque tightened where I could find the figures and finally primed and painted in rattle can engine enamel. Stickers from Titch at Machinery Decals, which are great. It started 2nd pull and the carb adjusted once warmed-up. Looking forward to using it when I get my allotment. Photos below... Here's the completed machine... 9 Stormin, Cub Cadet, Alan and 6 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #2 Posted February 25, 2020 Very nice job I restored a couple of these in 2018, thats where Titch got the decal originals from ! Nice to see another one restored ! Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #3 Posted February 25, 2020 I’ll take that as a compliment Paul as someone who has done a fantastic job on theirs. Thank you! I’d love to make a barrow attachment for mine as they must be as rare as hens teeth. Would you be able to give me the dimensions of yours? 1 pmackellow reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #4 Posted February 25, 2020 26 minutes ago, beardyrich said: I’ll take that as a compliment Paul as someone who has done a fantastic job on theirs. Thank you! I’d love to make a barrow attachment for mine as they must be as rare as hens teeth. Would you be able to give me the dimensions of yours? Yes no problem, I have a barrow for the Flymo DM on the go, I will measure that for you when out in the shed ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fix'em all 49 #5 Posted February 26, 2020 I restored mine in 2018. Which drive belt did you use. I found the A20.5 is a perfect fit for the Gemini. 1 pmackellow reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #6 Posted February 26, 2020 Hi Fix'em all, Nice machine there. I bought two belts, the first one from fleabay which, although the correct size, didn't allow the clutch to operate very well (F&F A540/A20). I then bought a belt from Simply Bearings in Leigh Lancashire which is a cotton dry cover Kevlar reinforced mower wrapped V-belt. Model number is DRYB-4L-K-220/XDV. The clutch now works perfectly and has made a real difference. 3 pmackellow, Rayp and Fix'em all reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fix'em all 49 #7 Posted February 26, 2020 The A20 is perfect for the Briggs engine on the Flymo DM, but the Suffolk needs a slightly longer belt 1 pmackellow reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #8 Posted February 26, 2020 55 minutes ago, Fix'em all said: The A20 is perfect for the Briggs engine on the Flymo DM, but the Suffolk needs a slightly longer belt Thanks, that's worth knowing as I have a couple of Flymo DMs to do soon ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #9 Posted February 28, 2020 Fix’em all, I like the look of the barrow attachment on yours. Had a quiet day at work today so I decided to start fabricating one for my Gemini. 3 nigel, Fix'em all and pmackellow reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #10 Posted February 28, 2020 Here's some photos of the second barrow body I tidied up ready to go on a Flymo DM, sorry not got to the shed to get dimensions yet ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #11 Posted March 1, 2020 Looking good Paul. Could you post a pic of the bucket release part of it? I have the release lever and spring, I just don’t know how it would work to release the bucket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #12 Posted March 2, 2020 Did a bit more on my barrow attachment today. Top edges rolled over and just tacked together to check panel fit. 2 pmackellow and Alan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #13 Posted March 2, 2020 Neither bucket had the proper clamps unfortunately I have bought some pipe clamps to use on this one, should get a snug fit but still retain the tilt function - hopefully ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan 1,273 #14 Posted March 2, 2020 Looking good Richard, but think you are running short of axle stands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #15 Posted March 2, 2020 (edited) Paul, I’ll sort out the bucket release mechanism after fabricating the hinges, which I think were made of nylon originally. I don’t think I’ve got any nylon but I might try using some polyurethane material instead. I’m thinking if 2 U shaped pieces which will drop over the tine guard handle when the bucket is tipped upright but hold the bucket in place when it’s lowered. Alan, yes I know... plenty of axle stands. Didn’t realise they were sold in pairs so instead of 10 I got 20!!! Edited March 3, 2020 by beardyrich More information 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #16 Posted March 9, 2020 More progress on the Gemini. I tried using pipe clamps for hinges that would snap over the front bar/lifting handle but felt they wouldn’t be strong enough so removed them. I came up with an idea that would enable me to lift the barrow attachment onto the bar but remain secure whilst carrying a load. I cut a section out of a pair of eyebolts, just enough to allow them to slip over the bar, and fixed them to a length of steel angle, which also provides some support and rigidity to the bucket. i then used some steel angle bolted to the rear lower edge of the bucket and cut a slot down one side to engage with the bottom of the tipping lever. It looks a bit rough and ready at the moment but it does work really well. Some more tidying up later before painting. 3 pmackellow, Alan and Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #17 Posted March 12, 2020 So far so good! The wheels I bought were fitted with needle roller bearings which I removed as the wheels needed to be fixed to the axle which provides the drive. With a centre diameter of 30mm and an axle diameter of 22mm I had to obtain some tubing to act as a bush. The O/D was just the right size but I had to ream out the I/D to fit over the axle shaft. Holes were then drilled to accept the cotter pins to secure them to the axle. Tomorrow, I’m going to weld the wheels to the tubing and continue finishing the wheelbarrow attachment. 5 nigel, pmackellow, Fix'em all and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #18 Posted March 12, 2020 Looking good ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fix'em all 49 #19 Posted March 17, 2020 More stable with the wheels further apart like this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beardyrich 29 #20 Posted March 17, 2020 Yes absolutely Fix’em. I gave it a test drive today and it’s fantastic. Really pleased with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
