CNW e start conversion, sprag failures

Fast Eddie said:
Why not take the inner seal off of each and pack the entire centre with grease, thus lubricating both bearings and the sprag at the same time ?
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Give it a try Nigel, if it makes the sprag last longer and the bearings don't complain about sharing their lube with next door it could be a winner!
 
dobba99 said:
Doesn't surprise me that Matt hasn't replied to your email. I bet his inbox is full of Cnw e start kit owners (he has sold over 600 of them) now asking how and what he is doing to alleviate this misuse of the sprag. Looking at the cnw sprocket/sprag and drive gear , i don't think that Matt can redesign the sprocket and drive gear to use the sprag the correct way. There just isn't enough space (and still use the lucas alternator)
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Doesn’t surprise me either. He must be thinking “what’s the fucking point”! If I were him I’d be SERIOUSLY weighing up the profit made vs hassle involved in this venture going forwards.

As has already been posted, he is not the only person using a sprag in this way, so to call it ‘wrong’ is a bit rich.

It’s even more rich to then admit there isn’t any other option FFS!

Yes, the sprag may fail on a cNw starter if not replaced at a reasonable periodicity… pretty much like the standard one!

If anyone riding a vintage bike thinks that changing a sprag every 10k miles or so is too much hassle, then frankly they should either stick to kicking, or get a Honda.

This thread has whipped up the proverbial storm in a teacup.
 
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I'm not particularly worried - same camp as Nigel.
At some time after my Ringspann spare sprag arrives I will pull mine apart for inspection and lubrication as I do agree that the sprag is a service item.
I raised this over 6 months ago with zero response https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/sprage-clutch.36794/post-702969
In post #21 there @Torontonian actually said "but just give your money to Matt at CNW , and never worry about it again" No-one said anything

I am a major fan of the cNw e-start and would buy again without hesitation - and that's after over 6 years and 18,000 miles ownership with zero servicing.
Go figure... ?
Cheers
 
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Fast Eddie said:
Ain’t stripping mine when there’s nowt wrong with it and I’ve not done 10k miles. I prefer to ride it mate.
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I’m with you on this one Nigel, I now see the sprag as one of many service items and it’s not exactly a difficult or time consuming job, quicker than replacing the horn!

Should the Chinese sprag last anywhere near the original then it’s also one of the least costly parts too, time will tell.

I nearly always kick the bike when I take him out and only use the ES when kicking is inconvenient eg petrol stations or should install it (never happens honestly). I accept the argument that miles rather than starts are the limiting factor here. My original was fitted 2021 and I’ve put on 12k. I very much doubt I’ll put on so many in such a short time.

My plan is to disassemble the primary tomorrow morning including the inner case so I can retighten the drive sprocket nut and rebuild with this cheap sprag and see how it goes. I don’t intend making any modifications to the design just put it back the way Matt shipped it and hope for another 12k for £15.81🤣

I had this all apart long before the sprag played up and there was no sign of any grease and nor is there any mention in the fitting instructions so I’ve no intention of doing so but seeing videos of cNw ES kit installs the parts all look oily but maybe that’s just an anti-corrosion in storage measure.
 
Hi Rob, I’m in need of some brake pads for my cNw Brembo system like yours, any idea of the part #?

I asked Matt alongside the sprag question but he’s either on vacation or ghosting me🤣
 
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Café au Lait said:
Hi Rob, I’m in need of some brake pads for my cNw Brembo system like yours, any idea of the part #?

I asked Matt alongside the sprag question but he’s either on vacation or ghosting me🤣
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What happened to your comment on the sprocket nut and question about the sleeve gear?

I haven't had my inner primary cover off so can't comment on the worn sleeve gear.
Regarding the repeatedly loose sprocket nut - isn't there a screw-retained keeper plate there to prevent that?
Cheers
 
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robs ss said:
whilst on serviceable items on the (excellent!) cNw e-start...

Has anyone serviced or replaced the clutch in the starter motor? (see below)
If so... why/ Were there any symptoms that caused you to do this?
BTW they're on the shelf at my local Harley dealer - slightly more expensive than below.
Cheers

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I replaced mine earlier this year. See this post

kokomoto

Thread 'CNW starter repair'

The PO installed a CNW e-starter system on my 850 Interstate. It began having an intermittent problem. The starter motor would spin, but not turn the transfer gear. Apparently this is indicates that the starter clutch assembly is beginning to fail. Matt informed me that the starter is a 1986 - 2022 HD Sportster starter. I was able to track down the part number for the OEM replacement part. 31556-91A,B,C, or D. I found a NOS genuine HD replacement (31556-91A) on the auction site for around $30. The replacement is a pretty straight forward half hour job, and gave me a change to clean and...
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The symptoms sounded similar to a failed sprag. I pulled the end cover off the starter, pressed the starter button, and observed the starter sprocket not extending to engage the intermediate sprocket drive for the e-start as it should. I found NOS HD replacement part on eBay less than $50, IIRC. The Sporster starters are easily rebuildable with inexpensive rebuild kits for both the stater clutch/bendix and the solenoid. I think they are a Nippon Denso unit. There are probably tons of cross referenced parts for other vehicles, but I didn't go down that rabbit hole.
 
robs ss said:
What happened to your comment on the sprocket nut and question about the sleeve gear?

I haven't had my inner primary cover off so can't comment on the worn sleeve gear.
Regarding the repeatedly loose sprocket nut - isn't there a screw-retained keeper plate there to prevent that?
Cheers
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I edited that comment out as I figured it out that there was no problem, the ‘slack’ is taken up when tightening the nut. The keeper washer and screw function as they should it was that I could pull/push the sleeve gear when the sprocket nut was only on by a few turns.
 
Well @Fast Eddie & @gortnipper , your brakes must be different to mine.
Both of your suggestions seem to be 69 x 51mm wheres mine are 35 x 41mm
I have 4 pads per caliper. You? (must be big if 4, based on the dimension above)
Here's one of my pads (if I put the numbers on the back into google they're readily available)
How about yours @Café au Lait ?

This is, of course a big derail - but at least it's safe (it's got brakes) ;) ;)
Cheers

IMG_3073.jpeg

IMG_3074.jpeg
 
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Ahh... you must have the other version of the Brembo P4 34/30. One version takes two pads and one takes four.

The two pad version is an earlier design and is still made. I think the four pad version was made early 2000s and is largely discounted.

Did you get yours from Matt?
 
gortnipper said:
Ahh... you must have the other version of the Brembo P4 34/30. One version takes two pads and one takes four.

The two pad version is an earlier design and is still made. I think the four pad version was made early 2000s and is largely discounted.

Did you get yours from Matt?
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Yep - on my build #134
 
Definitely 2 pads. Mine is a 2013 build. Double checking I have at least 2-3 mm left so not as urgent as I thought but at least I know what to order. What I may also do is replace the disc which has a fair amount of wear but worse is pulses very slightly at low speed. Again in my last email to Matt I enquired as to the part # but still no response 😢 Anyone know?
 
robs ss said:
Well @Fast Eddie & @gortnipper , your brakes must be different to mine.
Both of your suggestions seem to be 69 x 51mm wheres mine are 35 x 41mm
I have 4 pads per caliper. You? (must be big if 4, based on the dimension above)
Here's one of my pads (if I put the numbers on the back into google they're readily available)
How about yours @Café au Lait ?

This is, of course a big derail - but at least it's safe (it's got brakes) ;) ;)
Cheers

View attachment 125567
View attachment 125568
Click to expand...
You have a different front end altogether Rob.
 

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