I just stripped the handelbars down because they were rusty and I wanted to paint them up, what a complex costly to manufacture set up they are, no manufacturer these days would ever think of doing that. I guess it was from a time when people paid good money for a mower and they expected a bit of quality
Ok I have this one running after having another fight with a float needle and I am impressed with how much smoother a F/C is in the north/south configuration than east/west. I had completely forgotten about the difference. Turning the motor east/west was such a bad design mistake, you can see why they did it , well I think I can, but there is a reason all the 4 strokes run north south because it makes the mower feel much smoother with a lot less vibration
I noticed that as well Norm. My Sunbeam (1972 I believe) ran smooth, but knocked on start up and spin down. Worn gudgeon pin/piston. Due to the fact it is so solid, I am planning on giving it a hone and new piston.
Don't usually do new pistons and all that, but the handles and alloy chassis are so strong (weighs a ton compared to the tin steel used now) that its worth it.
I paid $20 with the catcher at the tip - often these older models sit there for a while due to people thinking its old and will be completely stuffed.
Granted in this case it needs a new piston, but fair enough because it has already done 47 (maybe 45 as it looks like it sat for a year or 2) work. And pushing it back to the car over gravel, it still felt as tight and rattle less as a new one.
