[Tom Ward]

Hi all,

The rear wheel of my Moulton Major Deluxe has just come back from a service (and extensive parts replacement), and I’m trying to refit the back wheel to the bike. I assume the washers have been replaced in the correct order, but am finding it quite a struggle to get it to fit! If anyone would mind having a look at the pic below to let me know if I’m doing this properly that would be great!
Thanks!

[Alexander Johnston]

Hi Tom
I’ve checked my Major and you seem to have them in the right order.
The only difference I can see is that the washer with the lip (I’m sure it has a proper name) is rotated about 40 degree clockwise so that instead of pointing towards 10 o’clock as on your bike, on mine it’s pointing to about 2 o’clock.
The problem might of course be on the opposite side.
Alex

[Tom Ward]

Great, thanks for your reply! I’ve discovered that a lot of the problem seems to be that my left side (non drive side) axle nut appears to have lost its thread. The nut from my series 1 fits snugly so it must be the nut rather than the axle itself. The major seems to need a longer nut than the series 1 though to protect the indicator spindle – can I just use a 3 speed right hand nut on the left hand side of the major?

[Alexander Johnston]

I don’t know if you can use a 3 speed nut if your Major is a 4 speed but I think my starting point would be to assume that you can’t.
I suppose you could try it and see and if it works using an extra washer if necessary but obviously avoid damaging the threads on the axle.
For what it’s worth I’ve checked the left-hand rear nut on my Major and my Series 2 Deluxe which are both 4 speed. Both seem to be the same in length but they are different in shape – the Deluxe nut has a larger “window.”
Alex

[Tom Ward]

Thanks Alex. What role does the left hand nut play other than holding the wheel in place and protecting the indicator spindle?

[Alexander Johnston]

I suspect that’s about it.
The window on the nut helps you see to adjust the gears.
Check out Sturmey Archer FW Hubs, Adjustments and trouble- shooting on this site.
On the 4 speed, in 2nd gear the rod end should be flush with the wheel axle and in 3rd the rod end should be in the centre of the window.
I’ve tried this and it works a treat.
Alex

[Tom Ward]

Hmm, I’m still really battling with this – the wheel seems very stiff in the dropouts (won’t move back and forth even with axle nuts loose). It looks like there are too many washers on the left hand side which may be trying to push the forks outwards? Also, is the anti rotation washer (i think this is the one I have labelled in pink) supposed to slot into the dropout?? If so, it looks like it’s the wrong way round on my bike and far too far away from the dropout itself!

Thanks again for all your help!

[Tom Ward]

Problem solved, thanks to a fantastic exploded drawing from Sheldon Brown. My hub doesn’t even HAVE anti rotation washers. Bike is now set up, very excited to ride it to work tomorrow!
Thanks for all your help, sorry for all the questions!

[Alexander Johnston]

Pleased you’ve got it sorted.
Alex

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