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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Sourcing an Atco Kick Start Sprocket

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Hello,

I'm new to the forum. I recently acquired a 14" Atco kick start mower and I've set about stripping it down for restoration. Apart from requiring a new kick start spring which I've managed to source, I need a new sprocket as the original one is in quite damage from which I assume is due to the kick start spring being lost and the kick starter having a little bit of play in it. I've tried contacting a number of companies listed on the forum and I've checked eBay too but unfortunately nobody appears to have a spare sprocket. I was therefore wondering if someone had one I could buy or if they know where I can source one from?

Forums

gtc Wed, 08/03/2017

I think your most likely source will be from a donor mower being parted out, in which case I'd be inclined to use the matching kick starter, too.

TheBeeMan Sat, 11/03/2017

I've removed the engine today ready to change the sprocket. I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice as to how it is best removed. Naturally it turns freely once it's not connected to the clutch and therefore I don't want to force anyone on way or another. I imagine The process of removing it must be the way everyone starts when removing the flywheel. I've search YouTube for an instructional video but I didn't hold out much hope. I'm not sure what model the Villiers engine is but I have this picture of the mower before it was disassembled.

merryman Sat, 11/03/2017

I'm not familiar with those old Atcos but sprockets are a standard engineering item and can be bought from chainmakers like Cross/Morse and Reynolds. Problem is, the centres are not standard, so you may need to cut the old one off and braze or weld a new sprocket on the existing hub. Can't help with how to remove it, most four stroke mowers, and two stroke motorcycles, had the "Villiers hammer tight" system, with a special heavy duty ring spanner which you hit with a hammer to tighten, and did the same to slacken off, this automatically pulled the flywheel off the taper as it undid. There was no keyway either, so the flywheel had to be timed up to TDC on the piston, to get ignition timing right.

TheBeeMan Sat, 01/04/2017

I've removed the flywheel to get a closer look at how the sprocket is fitted. I've seen a video on YouTube where someone had stripped an engine down to the individual parts and I've been offered a replacement for the damaged sprocket but I can't see how it is taken off the flywheel cover. I'd initially assumed that it was threaded in reverse and it would therefore release when the sprocket locks, any ideas?

You can see from the pictures below that the previous owner gave it some abuse. It's annoying since it is the only part that's really stopping me reassembling the mower.

wristpin Sat, 01/04/2017

Until a couple of weeks ago I had one to look at but have sold it. How did you undo the flywheel - by turning that hex anti clockwise to slacken it and then pull it off the taper? I believe that the ratchet mechanism separates from the flywheel nut - possibly by holding the flywheel nut and turning that hex clockwise. 

Hopefully someone will know for sure.