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Non Triumph - help needed

To: "Triumphs List" <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Non Triumph - help needed
From: "John Macartney" <jonmac@ndirect.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 21:23:35 +0100charset="iso-8859-1"
Friends
Over the last 48 hours, I've come to the conclusion that those who populate 
this list are
arguably one of the most helpful groups anywhere in the world - even when the 
subject
isn't Triumph. Three days ago, I subscribed to another list called
owner-stationary-engine@atis.net and posted the missive to them which I've 
copied below.
Despite two subsequent requests for ANY kind of help, I'm still being ignored. 
Is there
just a chance that one of you out there might be able to point me to another 
stationary
engine list that does seek to offer help to new joiners? Don't worry about the 
Ruston
Hornsby unit - that's UK built. It's the Goold Shapley Muir engine that's of 
key interest.
Sorry for the non-Triumph nature but I've already run out of 'net ideas.

Cheers
Jonmac

ORIGINAL OUTGOING POST
I have subscribed on behalf of a good friend who by his own admission isn't too 
well
versed on computers, email and the 'net. What's more, he's not too inclined at 
his age to
learn !
His name is Bill and we live next door to one another both sharing an interest 
in anything
mechanical.
Two weeks ago, Bill achieved a life-long dream and acquired a 1929 Ruston and 
Hornsby 8hp
S.E. (stationary engine) that had been fully restored. He bought it from a 
relative and it
came back here on
Bill's car trailer together with a sawbench and another S.E. that I'll describe 
in a
moment.
As far as the Ruston is concerned, both of us would like to know as much as 
possible about
this unit's quirks and foibles, together with adjustments one can make and 
details of
URL's or other Ruston enthusiasts who are UK based. It goes without saying that 
a global
identification of other Ruston users would be great to have as well.
Can do?
The second S.E. is of particular interest to us. It's a Goold Shapley and Muir, 
serial
number 11203 and rated at 2.5hp at 400rpm. It is claimed to have been made in 
1912 but the
serial # would hopefully confirm or deny this? The GSM came to Bill as part of 
the Ruston
package. His relative told him that he bought it in a scrapyard in Canada with 
a view to
cleaning it up and getting it to work 'properly' even though it was in working 
order at
the time of purchase. As plans are often diverted because of life's events, the 
GSM didn't
get worked on and returned to England with its former owner at least 25 years 
ago when he
retired. It has since spent its life in almost 'natural conditions' and has 
been neither
run or worked on. Today, Bill cleaned up the outer structure with a large tin 
of kero and
an old paintbrush and almost as an afterthought, tipped an eggcupfull of petrol 
into the
carb and gave it a gentle swing.
"Tonk" - a definite indication of combustion.
Another slightly more exuberant swing and tonk tonk tonk ad infinitum etc.
We both stood there, utterly gobsmacked watching it plonking away after a 25 
year sleep
with nary a care in the world and after starting on the second swing. We'd be 
most
grateful for as much info on the GSM as possible, together with details of 
anyone in the
UK/US who has one. Could it be the only one here?
Many thanks

John Macartney



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