Hi Mark

To remove platen on Silver Reed SR100. Set carriage to center position, grasp RH platen knob and loosen LH platen knob LEFT HAND THREAD (the left platen knob also loosens so the platen can be turned fractionally between ratchet detents as a line finder). Move the carriage to the right of center and loosen the 2 screws (possibly Phillips) on the right platen knob and slide knob off platen shaft. Disengage the paper feed rolls and the line lock detent, set the shift lock and move carriage to far left position going past the right margin (using the margin release key if necessary). Completely remove the left platen knob, the carriage will now lift out from the left end and slide out from the right end.

Pay particular attention to all the line advance mechanism pieces, they tend to fall out and can be somewhat of a bearcat to get back together in the right order. Take pictures with your smartphone or digital camera as you go so you have a pictorial record of each step to help with reassembly. Hope this helps,

Sky

Hi sky,
          You absolute 🌟, tried what you said and it worked, however and I'm not sure if it makes any difference, it's a silver reed leader II, I also have a silver reed sr100 that missing a part but is stuck fast and still won't budge, the leader which is the working typewriter undone easily, so now its soaking in my concoction lol, I'd had a look at the first platen I put in, and though it's firm still, the texture is different, it gives ever so slightly with my nail, but not enough to leave a indentation, we'll see at the end of the week.
Regards
Mark

Hi sky
          I'm just missing the platen ratchet gear and possibly a washer, everything else works as it should.