Reinstating Valve Lifter for AJS Model 8
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:35 pm
Hi Everybody! This is my first new topic, its not very important but some information would be helpful.
I bought a 1961 Model 8 last November. I'm very pleased with how it goes but one thing is getting on my nerves. Over a decade ago, one of the previous owners completely removed the whole valve lifter mechanism, from rocker box to handlebars, leaving just a hole in the rocker box and no other trace of the mechanism, as far as I've been able to tell so far. (I have not yet taken the tank off for a closer look). So there's no lifter, no return spring, no cable, no handlebar lever, not even a nut or washer left.
The most recent owner before me understandably thought it was a bad idea to just leave a significant hole there and screwed a bolt into the hole. They also drilled a small hole through this bolt to act as an extra breather. I am puzzled about what they screwed the bolt into. Should the hole left in the rocker box be threaded? If so, should there be some sort of threaded sleeve (that is not shown on the parts list) in the rocker box and screwed into this hole to accommodate/support the valve lifter?
As a Spring/Summer project, I would like to reinstate the valve lifter, as long as I can obtain parts and its not too difficult or expensive. I can start the engine adequately without it but I feel that it mattered enough to AMC to fit one, so the bike should have one and someone deciding to strip the mechanism out and chuck it away rubs me up the wrong way.
Any information would be welcome. Thanks,
Bill.
I bought a 1961 Model 8 last November. I'm very pleased with how it goes but one thing is getting on my nerves. Over a decade ago, one of the previous owners completely removed the whole valve lifter mechanism, from rocker box to handlebars, leaving just a hole in the rocker box and no other trace of the mechanism, as far as I've been able to tell so far. (I have not yet taken the tank off for a closer look). So there's no lifter, no return spring, no cable, no handlebar lever, not even a nut or washer left.
The most recent owner before me understandably thought it was a bad idea to just leave a significant hole there and screwed a bolt into the hole. They also drilled a small hole through this bolt to act as an extra breather. I am puzzled about what they screwed the bolt into. Should the hole left in the rocker box be threaded? If so, should there be some sort of threaded sleeve (that is not shown on the parts list) in the rocker box and screwed into this hole to accommodate/support the valve lifter?
As a Spring/Summer project, I would like to reinstate the valve lifter, as long as I can obtain parts and its not too difficult or expensive. I can start the engine adequately without it but I feel that it mattered enough to AMC to fit one, so the bike should have one and someone deciding to strip the mechanism out and chuck it away rubs me up the wrong way.
Any information would be welcome. Thanks,
Bill.