Crankshaft out

When I first acquired my Manurhin, I said I'd just brush the rust off and drive it around as found.... I was soon to discover that half the ancillary parts were missing, so I had to adjust my objective.

As I searched (and found) the bits and pieces needed to get my engine running, I said I'd just bolt the missing bits back on and see how it ran.  I was very keen to get the machine on the road...... However, a break away from the bench and some time to think on the beach has made me realise that this approach might be a bit foolish and so I resolved to strip the engine properly, put new bearings and oil seals in and make a proper job of it.  And at the same time get that knackered crankshaft/flywheel pin/woodruff attended to.

Yesterday I spent a much needed couple of hours in the garage with spanners and oil (Funny how I need that garage time as much as I need a holiday) and I extracted the crankshaft.

The engine casing bolts came out very easily and with the help of a simple homemade extractor/puller, I gently (and easily) pulled the small crankcase half off the shaft.  Then with the same puller tool on the larger crankcase half I gently extracted the other side of the crankshaft.  Very calm, very gently, nice and easy.

First inspection of the crank looks encouraging.  The big end feels good (Im refering to Dan - of Gransport - expert technique of checking big ends) The small end I might need a second opinion, but its not bad.
The rings are gummed into the piston so Ive left that to soak in some penetrating oil in the hope they will pop out eventually

I have to say I was very excited to see some reference numbers on the side of the crankshaft counter balance... And a date!  1958. This is the first sign of a date i have on the bike (I have no paper work and no history for the bike to help me date it.  Although i have them, the chassis numbers are still a mystery to me and give me no clues as to a manufacturer date).  Now the date on the crankshaft only helps me with the ID of the Crankshaft, not necessarily of the engine, and not necessarily of the bike itself, but nevertheless I was excited :-)




But what about those other references?  What do those other numbers mean?  '0', '2', is that '24'? 'MR'? and Im not sure if it even says something like 'MAY' on there - ive tried it under different lights but I'm not sure if I'm just seeing things.  What does it all mean?


and then there is a curious mark on the outside of the counterweight (is this the right technical term?)  Is that mark intentional?  Does it signify something?  Is it a 'C'? or a 'G'?

Does anyone know?

So now the crankshaft is safely out I can get it to an engineering shop and get that pin/woodruff spark-eroded out.
And I can go and see if I can find some replacement bearings and oil-seals (fingers crossed)

Online Manurhin Scooter Interest Group

Following my email conversation with VMSC about a "Manurhin Owners Club" and the subsequent publication in their club magazine,  I have had some interesting and encouraging conversations with one or two Manurhin owners.  And as a consequence have set up a "Manurhin Scooter Interest Group" website.

To be clear, this is not necessarily just focused on Manurhins, but to include the words "DKW Hobby" in the title and web address was just too much of a mouthful!
The general intention is to attract "owners, riders and enthusiasts" of both Manurhin scooters and DKW hobbys, and if sufficiently interested, to get then to join the members-only network group (no cost, no obligation)

I hope that by creating a network of members, we can grow a central hub for conversations and sharing experiences & expertise.  And I would dearly love to get a register of machines going.

Who knows where this might lead, but I really hope it becomes a useful and growing resource for everyone.

Come and join us now  www.manurhinscooter.co.uk

Back in Blighty - Empty-handed, but with a clear plan

Well that was a lovely long holiday we had touring the homelands of DKW and Manurhin.
Did I see any DKWs or Manurhins?  Not a sausage.
Was I being naive to think that there might be a couple of classics out there?  Afterall when you visit Italy, you can pretty well be sure of seeing an old Vespa or two (though admittedly, even they are becoming few and far between these days).
I know that there are Manurhins and parts out there in France, because they come up on online auction sites, but they dont appear to come out onto the roads or even flea-markets.  In most towns I would ask someone if they knew of a scooter mechanic or a scrap-yard nearby.  Everyone knew of something 'scooterish' but only modern stuff - in fact I was surprised as just how few people had ever even heard of a Manurhin scooter.  I was under the impression that Manurhins were manufactured in sufficient enough numbers to have been popular and well known.

The bottom line is that while I was disappointed not to have bought back with me a heap of parts bought from flea-markets for a few Euros, I did have a wonderful holiday and while resting on the beach and roof-top terraces, I did formulate a clearer plan for my own Manurhin rebuild.

I also left the continent with a very strong feeling that as someone trying to bring an old Manurhin back to life, I was doing a 'good' thing.  They are a rare thing.

The bits keep coming

I might be on holiday, but there is no rest for the wicked.
I have been working really hard (between drinking French wine and laying on the beach) at searching out parts for my Manurhin.  I am convinced that I am going to discover a scrap yard or a workshop with a couple of basket cases waiting for me to claim my bits.  Alas, I am having little luck so far.
BUT... eBay continues to be my saviour.
We are doing a fair amount of traveling this holiday,  and we are not always with internet access (this amazes me that some people choose not to provide internet access in their houses, hotels, B&Bs, cafes, bars etc - I feel like ive had an arm cut off when there is no google to check a map or historical detail, or in this case, eBay)
However, whenever we do get the chance to get on line, eBay is still a high priority for me to check..... and its paid off.

3 days ago, I bought from a UK seller another carb, a petrol cap and a bike stand.
And today, Thanks to Roy for the phone call this morning to tell me of the part just come on line, I bought a (rare as rocking horseshoes) rear light, rear badge and fuel tap from a chap in France - who frustratingly is only about an hour away from where I am right now (Montpellier) - but as we are traveling without a car, getting out into the countryside is not so easy.

I am sure that I am paying through the nose for these parts (I shall do a budget summary when I return to the UK) but I figure that if I am going to get this bike onto the road, I am going to need the parts eventually, and though i might be able to buy the bits cheaper eventually, I might have to work a long time for the parts to come round again.  I am very pleased to get a rear light (thanks Roy for spotting it) and I think its a smart idea to have a spare carb - so things are looking good.
AND I think I might have access to a front badge too - I dont want to tempt fate, so wont speak too much of this yet until the deal is done ;-)

A UK Manurhin owners club?

When I acquired my Manurhin, I quickly joined the VMSC (Vintage Motor Scooter Club) in my search for contacts and information. I sent them an email and asked if there was a "Manurhin club" in the UK. They replied that they were not aware of one, but would I be interested in starting one up.
I replied that in principle I would be interested in starting one BUT I am not THE expert, just an enthusiast.


The VMSC published my letter of "interest" in the club magazine, and today I had a call from David in Bristol who owns a running Manurhin and seemed to like the idea of a club - and had lots of information to share. Fabulous :-)
I need to check this idea with the people who have been so helpful to me so far but I think when i return from my holiday I shall set up an online social/club network and see how it flys

ou sont les vieux scooters?

Im in Agde - south of France - for the week, and I haven't seen a single scooter older than maybe 10 years.  Everyone seems to ride twist'n'go's.

Nevertheless, my spideysense is tingling - I can feel a Manurhin or two nearby.  I am sure that there is a manurhin within a couple of miles radius of me, and I am certain that there is someone prepared to sell me some parts within a 10 mile radius..... but how can i find these people?

There are 2 scooter shops in Agde; one a Peugeot dealer, and the other an MBK dealer.  I went into the MKB dealer today and in my very best (poor) French asked about "Les Ancien Scooters".  I explained I was looking for parts for my Manurhin projects and did they know of anyone who might be able to help me?

The answer was simple;

"Non" nowhere in this town

I refuse to believe him and will continue to try and sniff those Manurhins out