Hi guys,

I'll attempt to get a closer photo of that handle bar if that helps?

Also, I think the "loud knocking" sound is coming from the clutch - when the mower is idling at low revs there is a loud metallic knocking sound (I think coming from the clutch area) - around 3 or 4 knocks per second. When the revs increase, the knock disappears. The cutting reel rotates when the mower is idling (disengaged), suggesting to me that at the least, some clutch adjustment is necessary? The loud knock suggests maybe something more than adjustment is needed? smile

Thanks for everyone's input thus far - I really appreciate the help!

Cheers,
Damian