Author Topic: Gearbox = coffee grinder  (Read 3844 times)

Online Greybeard

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Gearbox = coffee grinder
« on: 06.05. 2017 14:01 »
Hi fans! I'm away for the weekend at the Cheshire branch BSAOC camp. Over the last week I've become aware of second and third gear becoming whiny and now grindy on my Plunger A10. I've spoken to Beezermac, (Andrew Guttman) who is here. He thinks the layshaft bush must be knackered. I was hoping to be able to deal with this without removing the lump, (can't remove gearbox with engine in the frame) but it appears I will need to get at the back of the gearbox that is masked by the primary case to drift out the blind bush. Andrew has suggested taking the box to Richard Clamp who specialises in these Boxes. I'm inclined to pay an expert to sort the box out for me. Getting the engine out and back in is enough for me at the moment.
Anyone got any other advice?
Greybeard (Neil)
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Online RichardL

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #1 on: 06.05. 2017 14:20 »
Neil,

Sorry to hear about this glitch getting in the way of the fun. Did you travel to the event on the bike? If so, are you going to make it home? The only comment I have about the gearbox is about the time it takes to get done. If Mr. Clamp is very busy you might have a long waiting period before he can work on your box, while you have the option of attacking it immediately if you choose to do it yourself. Have you been inside of it before?

Anyway, enjoy the weekend, best you can.

Richard L.

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #2 on: 06.05. 2017 14:50 »
Thank you Richard,
I have stripped the box before but with the current problem and the issue of sticky change-downs when hot that I've had since the rebuild four years ago I think I'd like someone who really knows these boxes to sort it for me.
Fingers crossed I'll get home without mishap. I'll be trying to avoid third as much as I can!
I hope the box will get sorted quickly so I can enjoy the summers rides.
Greybeard (Neil)
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Online RichardL

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #3 on: 06.05. 2017 16:41 »
Please keep us posted.

Offline coater87

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #4 on: 07.05. 2017 02:39 »
 Well GB,

 My layshaft felt like a corn cob on both ends. I looked into buying an external hone, but they are pricy. Then each set of stones has a limited range, the price is really in the area of someone who would make money with it everyday.

 But right now you are not sure what's wrong, you could just pull it's little guts out and peek at it's innerds. *eek*

 Lee
Central Wisconsin in the U.S.

Offline duTch

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #5 on: 07.05. 2017 08:25 »

 Hope you get it home without any extra grief
Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
Australia

Online Greybeard

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #6 on: 07.05. 2017 16:19 »
I got home ok, just having a cuppa and a snack!
Greybeard (Neil)
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Online RichardL

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #7 on: 07.05. 2017 16:32 »
Ah, that's good to hear. Congrats. Got some pictures to share?

Richard L.

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #8 on: 07.05. 2017 16:59 »
Got some pictures to share?
Yup, when I get a moment I'll put them up.
Greybeard (Neil)
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Online Greybeard

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #9 on: 08.05. 2017 17:15 »
Sometimes I'm envious of you chaps with swinging arm machines. To get the gearbox off my plunger machine is a right ball ache!
You have to remove the engine because the box is bolted to the crankcase and you can't get at the attachments in the frame.
You cannot remove the engine without taking off the cylinder head.
You cannot remove the cylinder head without taking off the carburetor.
You cannot remove the engine and gearbox without stripping the primary chain and clutch assemblies.
You cannot remove the engine without draining the oil tank. You could block up the pipe ends I suppose.
The short engine/gearbox combination is still HEAVY!
You cannot remove the gearbox from the crankcase easily. The two top retainers are large whitworth screws; I haven't found a way to use a socket on them; I had to use a spanner end-on twisted with a lever in the other end. The two bottom retainers are large whitworth studs that have to be removed from the crankcase to be able to pull the mainshaft through the primary case hole. Doubling up a couple of nuts to lock the thread allows the studs to be removed.

Ok, so I now have a gearbox in my arms. I'll just check the oil to see if it's full of nasty metal bits!
..... Oh, I must have forgotten that I used that new invisible oil cos I can't see anything dripping into the tray!

DOH!   ::hh::

I've arranged with Richard Clamp to sort the box out. I'll take it to him tomorrow.

To be continued...
 
Greybeard (Neil)
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Online RichardL

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #10 on: 08.05. 2017 18:31 »
Kinda makes you wonder why they ever decided to change that design. *smile*

Richard L.

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #11 on: 08.05. 2017 18:51 »
Note to self: check gearbox oil TODAY.

Online Greybeard

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #12 on: 08.05. 2017 20:09 »
I was exagerating about the oil; about a spoonful came out.
Greybeard (Neil)
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Online Triton Thrasher

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #13 on: 08.05. 2017 20:49 »
We all get careless and levels run low,  but it got grindy and whiny and you didn't then look at the oil level?

I guess you will next time.

Online Greybeard

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Re: Gearbox = coffee grinder
« Reply #14 on: 08.05. 2017 20:58 »
We all get careless and levels run low,  but it got grindy and whiny and you didn't then look at the oil level?
My Davida helmet fits tightly so only wind noise gets through. The gearbox sound really only became noticeable over the last weekend. The previous weekend I heard a bit of a whine but put it down to a loose secondary chain. I haven't seen, (much) oil leaking from the bike when parked so I guess it was being pumped out when rolling. Still, lesson learned; check oil levels more frequently.
Greybeard (Neil)
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A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash