Ed's transmission woes...

[Ed Miller]

Thanks all, I made arrangements to have it fixed up.  I'll let everybody know how it goes.  There's also one on Ebay.  It's on my "watch" list, but I don't know what it's up to yet.  I still want to pick up a spare, and some spare cylinder heads.  For a while now I know I'll have no spare cash, though.  

[Bob_Roller]

Ed, who did you choose to do the overhaul?

[Ed Miller]

It's on its way to Ted Porter's Beemershop.  He's been really helpful with some technical questions I've posted in the past, and is one of the 3 main tranny guys on the Airheads list.  His estimate (like anyone, he can't give a quote without opening the box) was about $500 for bearings, shim, and (I think) at least some of the shift kit upgrade.  We need to discuss that.  I figured that was a better deal than the local used one with no warranty and uncertain history, even though I think it was from an '83 and should have the upgraded shifter componants already.

I think it would be fun to rebuild one of these trannies but not if you're in a hurry.  It will be easy to get my Triumph back on the road from winter storage, but it's not that fun to ride when it's near freezing; my Windjammer has me spoiled!

 

[Mr_Smart]

Sho`Nuff...Never thought I`d see the day.....I too wax lyrical about the Windjammer V.
It`s got to the stage now that I won`t even look at the F650.......Which is a damn shame !!

[mjbickford]

Ed, any updates?

[Ed Miller]

Guess what, if you click "reset" instead of "post" it deletes everything you just typed.

Ted is back from vacation, but the other guy is now on vacation so Ted's stuck with phones and all, which is delaying him.  Grrr...  I would have called Steve Prokoff but he's on vacation for the month.  Why would anybody want vacation this time of year?  Maybe they're skiers.

I have the next 3 days to replace a broken spoke on my Triumph,  install the new rear brake shoes, drain out the old gas/stabil mix and refill with new premium.  Oh, and maybe replace the little spring that's supposed to make the gear shifter come back up when you're trying to downshift.  And reinstall the LED tail light /brake light unit.  I'll think of something to keep busy.

I got a new front tire for the R65, so I'll grease the wheel bearings before I reinstall that.  If my parts cleaning fluid isn't frozen.

But there's still quite a bit of snow on my driveway, and about half a mile down the road, so it's not like I would be riding anyplace anytime soon.  The snow sure is pretty, I'll go for a walk up in the woods soon.  

[mjbickford]

I opened up my 4 speed again today to try and rectify the problem.  I managed to mangle 2 shims for the input/drive shaft.  Then I managed to break the locking eccentric bush which holds the shift fork in place.  I buttoned her back up, and resigned to ship my entire clutch and gearbox to someone, and have them replace my mangled cover seal, and all my other necessary parts. :-(

This $#!+ is getting expensive.

My Miata is still not starting, and has a mangled front suspension/sub frame.

My jeep is stuck in McMinnville with a bad Engine control computer, or that’s my mechanics best guess. I have a used one on the way.  But I still need to pay for the labor into the project so far.

My R60/5 is sitting with no gearbox or clutch, and a bad electrical system, no neutral switch, dead battery, blown fuse (no tail light or instrument lights,) and either a bad VR or diode board.  Which one it is, I have no clue.  And I need front turn signals, and to install the stalks for them.

My r65 (vintage 82) need a front wheel swap, a new rear tire, and rear wheel put back on.  Also a shorter brake hose as with lower bars, the long one is in the way.   I also need to bodge a way to mount an "S" fairing onto the forks.  I'm looking for mounting brackets, and turn signal stalks.  Problem is the fairing dash is ugly, so it’s a cheap replacement part, but it also interferes with the stock gauges.  I’m looking at some Dakota Digital gauges to fit in the dash holes, but would have to adapt the speedometer drive to work since it’s for Harleys.  Let us not forget the paint job too.

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=265/category_id=235/home_id=60/mode=prod/prd265.htm

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=261/category_id=235/home_id=60/mode=prod/prd261.htm

[msbuck]

Wow, you sound like you have vehicles like ours!

Went out to fire up the Laverda for a ride today and saw some curious smoke coming from under the seat along with an electrical burning smell...not good... Turns out the wiring from the alternator to the regulator was shorting out on the frame.  At least we found it BEFORE I went riding.  The R65 is down with a bad battery, so...let's move the battery from the Laverda to the R65!!!    They are the same size, so here we go.  Anyone ever worked on Italian stuff?   [smiley=furious3.gif]  It makes me want to sell the thing every time I work on it!!! So two hours later I have a bike to ride!! Yeah!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

Our '76 Datsun truck left us stranded this week with bad wiring connections to the solonoid, plus working on getting the brakes to stop locking up on one side.

Our '85 Jeep Cherokee is at least on the road, but we have a LONG list for that one as well including steering, mufflers, windshield, radio...

The '76 Datsun 280z is currrently going through a 'restoration' after having sat for the last few years.  Working on the fuel injection system now just to get it started.

We at least have the winter to figure out why the lawnmower won't run up hill... [smiley=uhoh2.gif]

At least both my hubby's bikes are road worthy and we have a new Subaru that better not give us trouble!!! (knock wood)  [smiley=smash.gif]

[Justin B.]

Geeze, I've had days like that...    Makes ya wonder why ya even got out of bed...  [smiley=puke2.gif]

[Ed Miller]

Great, I'm not the only one going into debt this January.

Mike, do I understand you right, almost 700 bucks for guages for your R65?  Uh, to me that seems like too much.   I hope you really like them.  A lot.  In fact, I don't so much want them to be accurate, as I think they should print out court acceptable evidence that you weren't speeding, even when you were.

That would be good.

[Bob_Roller]

Look's like it's bad karma time for R65 riders, two days ago on the way home a truck had a tire come apart at 65 mph, and shards of rubber took out my airhorn, no big deal, I just put the stock horn back on. Today the whole turn directional and tail light assembly departed the bike on the way home from work!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Sorry to hear about everyone's woes.  

My only (off-topic) complaint right now is the large puddles of water that gather on the floor of the front seat(s) of my '88 Honda.  It has been raining a lot, lately.  This mostly happens when the car is parked.  All I can figure is the door seals are shot.  
Does anyone know if I am right?  
Is a 290,000 mi POS worth worrying about?  
If I could eliminate the water, and the car doesn't fall apart from rust, I would be happy to run it until it dies...or I can save up enough money to get another.

[mjbickford]

I forgot about needing 3 sets of shocks and springs for all my bikes too, and the 5 speed gearbox serviced in the 82 r65.  plus the headlight mounts and a headlight bucket from a /6 to get the "s" fairing on.

Ed, 700 for guages is not much more than buying from the dealer.  Really im looking for anything that will fit the 2 1/16 inch holes.  Another option would be to modify the r90/100/80 guages to run off the r65 harness.  Then put the typical clock and Volt meter in the dash.  The expense factor is nothing for guages compared to what it is going to cost to get it repainted in a crimson and grey, like a 100/s with Cougar head logos instead of roundels on the tank.


Did i mention i still havent finished painting the inside of my home yet, nor have i had the granite layed around my fireplace (lived here 8 months, and still have painters tape on the walls.)  Not to mention re-doing the bathrooms, laundry room, kitchen, and carpet.  

On the plus side Im 75 percent done painting, and only have one light fixture left to replace.  but its been stalled for 7 months.


I need another job... :-/

[Semper Gumby]

Ed,

What kind of Triumph do you have?

[Ed Miller]

'70 Bonneville, last of the pre oil in frames.  I was just reading what the restored ones are pulling at auction, and now I'll be even more scared to leave it any place out of my sight.  Maybe I'll put a sticker on it that says "90,000 miles" and that will make people leave it alone.