BSA Cadet info

[stevegv8]

Seeking info
I have opened a cadet up which had loads of preload as it came apart such that it won't safely go back together.
Anyone able to say how long a cadet spring should be? this one is 7 & 3/4 " and I guess is from a major or meteor perhaps?
I've now opened another and it's a good inch or more shorter and little preload on re assembly.
They also have same length but slightly different pistons (piston body & their washer type), B serials if that has any bearing on it but one is the reinforced wrist grip stock type (B39xxx) and the other the bolt fixing version (B44xxx).
No pics I'm afraid as I don't have a hosting site at the mo since photobucket changed.
Best just order one from Knibbs I suppose and replace the long one.

[GMballistic]

Yep it's a nuisance about Photobucket. I deleted my account and luckily two of the other forums I go on regularly actually host pictures for you so it's a lot easier.

You could always try giving John Knibbs International a ring to ask them the length of their Cadet springs. That's the way I'd do it and then you could order at the same time if you wanted to.

[stevegv8]

Yep it's a nuisance about Photobucket. I deleted my account and luckily two of the other forums I go on regularly actually host pictures for you so it's a lot easier.

You could always try giving John Knibbs International a ring to ask them the length of their Cadet springs. That's the way I'd do it and then you could order at the same time if you wanted to.

Yes I am going to mainly because their on line ordering system is awful

[ROBBON]

Hi, Length 185mm, O/d 19.7, I/d 13.5, Wire 3.0, Coils 28.

[Geoff555]

As a matter of not a lot of help have just stripped one, totally original and has the following.
19.78mm. dia.
2.96 wire dia.
168.3 long.
28 coils.
Came out very badly kinked and worn.
Not an awful lot of puff.
Cheers.
Geoff.

[stevegv8]

I spoke with Knibbs who say a new cadet spring is 8 inches long, as was my problem one.
Initially I collapsed a couple of coils making less preload and then I could fit it by it being shorter.
It was so stiff on cocking that I concluded it was not suitable for a cadet so replacing with the correct item.

Geoff555 While you have it apart there was another member (who'll no doubt chip in shortly) requesting piston dimensions if perhaps you could accommodate.

[Phil Russell]

My info tells me that a spring 8" (200mm) long is a Cadet Major one. The Major spring also has more coils: 32 as against the 28 of the Cadet.
Cheers, Phil

[stevegv8]

That sounds more likely, and was what I suggested to them but the Knibbs guy insisted the Cadet was correct at 8 inches and although I doubted it I had to bow to his (assumed) superior knowledge.

[Geoff555]

Hello Stevegv8. I have it back together now but give us a chance to clear the decks on the weekend and I will measure it.
Cheers.
Geoff.

[Geoff555]

OK Stevegv8 here goes,
Front dia. 0.992"
Rear dia. 0.992"
Length. Not counting leather washer. 3.938"
Length including washer 4.278".
Length of rod. 4.305"
Diameter of rod. 0.375".
Rod protusion from piston. 0.808"

Spring.
Length. 7 9/16".
Coils. 28.

Anything else please yell.

Cheers.
Geoff.

[stevegv8]

OK Stevegv8 here goes,
Front dia. 0.992"
Rear dia. 0.992"
Length. Not counting leather washer. 3.938"
Length including washer 4.278".
Length of rod. 4.305"
Diameter of rod. 0.375".
Rod protusion from piston. 0.808"

Spring.
Length. 7 9/16".
Coils. 28.

Anything else please yell.

Cheers.
Geoff.

Thanks for the help Geoff
Steve