How screwed am I?

[photographicsafaris]

I am planning on taking this bike through MOT and road-worthy by end of March 08, and just doing what needs to be done for now.
So pulled off rear wheel, and was happy to see the the drum brakes looked fantastic, all very clean etc. Axle true, no cracks, what are those triangular rubber bits for and how important are they? mine are reasonably worn but not too badly probably fine, but made a note to replace in the future. Then put wheel back on and swore at chain whilst doing so and wondered how on earth you replace the chain without breaking it .

Anyway noted that I need to replace all chain rollers as well, and then poking around saw the front sprocket



The "Repair" by previous owner



I am really, really F.F..F...F......F..rustrated because this was done where there was an Arc welder, hence bunches of electicity, and would have access to post office and supplies to get the thing replaced. I cant even express my feelings for Mr Fg Bt St for brains Dumb As previous owner, because this was a freebie!

So just how Fed am I here?

It looks like you cannot pull the counter shaft straight out, and I will now need to discover how to access the counter shaft through blasted brain surgery.

Do you brilliant fellows have any secret tips to do this???

Looked at Cylmer manual...

Crap, I have to remove the whole engine.

and split the crank case.

and get the tool to pull the crankshaft

and I cant (according to the manual) use a hammer to "gently" slide it back in, which by then I would very much like to do

Deffinitely going to need

Unless there is another way to get at it without splitting the crank case I will take it to a dealer to do for me after the MOT. install new sprockets, front and rear as well as new chain.

In the words of Blackadder:
Fety Fing Fk Fk

Oh and whilst I am at it, any one care to give me some input on the perfect (Africa overland) sprocket size? for suitable for motorways 60-80mph and also for desert sand/rocky hillclimbs, or do I just get two. The on at the moment has 15 (bending) teeth and has assisted me in exceeding the Frensh speedlimit by 15mph, but I would prefer something that give me more control at slower speeds

Cheers for any help, I have now sat down and about to crack open a Boddingtons.



did you hear it?


I appologise to those who may be sensitive to censored smilies