I did some work on the Hiawatha the other day and discovered that the chain alignment being off (which I couldn't understand because I had been so careful to see that all was well months ago) was due to the fact that I had NEVER tightened down the clamshell adapter or the three bolts holding the driven sprocket to the clamshell. All I can figure is that I didn't have thread lock at the time and intended do it later... and forgot about it.
So, now all bolts are tightened down and have thread lock. Since I won't be working on Bikes at Tinsmith's this weekend (we're going to the bike race at Street, Maryland tomorrow) and it being a gorgeous day I thought what the heck, try running the bike. So, gas in the tank, choke on, shifter in low range, clutch in, decompression valve open... I let it drift down the long driveway here and after fifteen feet or so let out the clutch, gave it compression and it started. Another 30 feet and I stopped the bike (clutch in) to fiddle with the choke to avoid flooding it. It took a minute for the engine to warm up so the choke was off (louder with no choke... sounds good!). Idle was a bit high, but Woohoo, it's alive!!
I let out the clutch and... nothing... the gears do not engage either in low or high range and the linkage is fine. I shut the motor off and noticed a bit of burn smell... not much, but something. Crap.
I walked the bike back and there is still no gear engagement, as if the clutch is in.
Something ain't right, that's for sure. Doesn't seem possible that I could have burned up the clutch in that little time, but It's in that area that the problem is since the engine ran fine, no grinding of gears or sounds of protest from the gearbox. What's left but the clutch?
It's a disappointment, alright. If parts have to be ordered from Germany then it is going to be next month before this is going again. An engine made in 1934 is a cool thing, but there is a down side to an old engine from another country. And I'm experiencing this downside right now. If anybody has any ideas, I'm listening.
While this problem simmers on the back burner I'll work on the leaf spring fork/ fender mounting and hook up the sidecar. This is part of the territory of vintage stuff, I guess, but I so much want to ride this thing.
SB