Sturmey Archer 1931 gearbox grease level

[andrewhawkswell]

Asking for advice or reference about the level of grease to be maintained in a Sturmey Archer gearbox 3 speed 1930 ish.
My Ariel Model E 1928 was originally built with a Burman Q gearbox but a previous owner discarded it and fitted a Sturmey Archer of the type used on the Ariel 1931 VB. Instead of a large plate cover to put in the grease there is a small hex plug in a tapped hole on the rear sloping face.
Does anyone on here that uses this type of box have advice on what level to fill to - I suspect filling flush with the plug will probably be too much and it will come out over everything and everyone.

[nevhunter]

Thick grease will affect the kicker action some times. They are similar to what's in some Nortons. I think they are a better box than the Q type Burman. The seal near the sprocket is only felt if I recall correctly. Maybe you can improve that. Nev

[Bob.Murphy]

Does it use grease?

My 1931 Sturmey Archer LS gearbox uses a heavy oil.
I just bought 3 kilos of EP00 'slumping oil' from Smith and Allan:

The 'LS' has a fill/level plug in line with the kick-start shaft, but the box is mounted level in the Panther, yours has the appearance of being tipped up at the front (though I can see that it isn't).

I'm not sure where you would fill to .

Bob.

[andrewhawkswell]

Thanks for replies so far. Yes it uses semi fluid grease. I found one post that suggested that as long as the lower shaft was covered it would be fine as the great would work its way round. I would appreciate if someone who actually has the same gearbox could advise. All the Ariel literature just mentions refilling after a given mileage but not to what level

[nevhunter]

You should be OK with a fluid grease if the Layshaft is 3/4 Covered static or the grease churns visibly when running on the stand. IF you can use a Magnetic drain plug in ANY Gearbox. Nev