Hi Grumpy - I know - no brake pretty bad even without the clutch problem. Because I live on a level easy block, it's limited the risk. My mechanic friend said it really wasn't worth fixing the brake - but I might look into learning how to do it myself. I used to trade him mechanical hours for hours in my recording studio, but I feel I can't ask him for more time at the minute without being unfair.
I will post more info asap, might take me a while as I am really stretched. I will have to really clean the machine first - it has an oil leak and is dirty anyway - cleaning it first will help everything!
It looks to me like the idler pulley is actually item 59 on the bottom drawing - it moves in and out with the clutch foot pedal to create friction or no friction against the belt. As far as I have seen so far, that operation still works, but there may be another part that has failed and made it always be "friction". You kind of have to combine the 2 drawings to see the whole clutch operation, I think!
I really appreciate the help - bear with me please as I find the time to get onto it.
Many thanks,
Cranky
