Club rods?

[john.bebb]

Hi Peoples; -

I've rejoined as full member... after an abscence of some forty years...

Please; - who do I contact to purchase a set of club rods for a Mk1 Sq (1949)?

Would also ask what shells they come with; - I'm aware that my bottom ends are worn & maybes damaged...
but until the cranks are out & at a machine shop the required size(s) will be unknown...

Cheers, John

[Paul_Linden]

John, welcome back! The man you need to speak with is Bruce Longman, contact derails on the inside front page of Cheval. Be aware he’s been a bit ill recently, so may need some time to reply. Not sure if he has rods in stock at the moment. The Rods don’t come with shells, you have to tell him the size of shells you want to fit, and your engineering shop will then grind the big end journals to that size. As you say, you won’t know until it’s all apart.

[paul_turner]

Hi John and welcome back
Been reliably informed that Bruce has been sellotaped back together and is open for business. As Paul says phone number inside cover of Cheval.
Pretty sure the conrods are ex stock and don't forget you will get £100 for your old ones if you send them to Bruce . As Paul says don't come with shells.
Keep us posted of your progress.

[john.bebb]

Thanks guys, Bruce says they're out of stock for 3-4 months... & the next batch liable to come in at considerably higher purchase price...
but he let me have a set where the big-end eyes are not honed to spec... hopefully I can get Hamlins or similar to correct the finish...

[Paul_Linden]

If that’s Hamlins in Bridgewater, then yes they will do them and they will do a great job. They did mine last year, as I too had a set of club rods with undersize small ends.

[john.bebb]

Hi Paul - yes - 'tis the same Hamlins - I've not heard any downers wrt their works - correcting the big-end eyes may be more problematic than small ends - I shall soon present them with my Sqs bottom end & block for complete rework... probably cost me all three testicles so hope it will be worth it...

[Paul_Linden]

Oh! I misread that as small end. If anyone can hone the big ends to size, Hamlins can.

[john.whiting]

As a matter of interest ,what does a set of new rods cost?....I have no intention of owning another 4,but still,an interestin subject.

[john.bebb]

Hi JW - cost per this set was £470 inc p&p - reduced from £570 due to undersized big-end eyes...
Bruce warned that next batch (due 3-4 months) likely to be considerably more;
consequent to post Brexit £/$ exchange rate variance.
Yes, apparently the club rods are manufactured Stateside,
& machinists may still get dimensions wrong! Cheers.

[chris.shearwood]

Yes, apparently the club rods are manufactured Stateside,

Hi John,
I guess they are manufactured here: https://www.rrconnectingrods.com/
Regards, Chris