More transmission woes?

[montmil]

Matt, Position the bike on the sidestand and take a look at the transmission's long arm in its extended [position. It may be contacting the centerstand. If it's not, then there's other issues with the clutch.

Any oil puddles that might indicate a rear seal failure?

[Matt Chapter]

So you're saying there's a stand other than the center stand??

This is a monoshock frame, the only thing the center stand contacts is the footpeg mount.  Oil puddles are situation normal, just the oil pan gasket weep.

I haven't managed to rustle up the spline lube how to, anybody have it to hand?

[Barry]

Here's one I keep on file.

[montmil]

Author Rick's web.BikeWorld spline lube technique is what you might consider a Quick n' Dirty. Note there are no comments regarding old grease packed into the spline cavities or grease squeeze out which can contaminate the clutch.

A good, proper spline lube requires removal of the transmission. That chore means detaching the drive shaft universal, struggling with the rubber boot and pulling the swing arm pivot bolts. Doing so, you have the opportunity to clean, inspect and re-grease the swing arm bearings. You also get a chance to inspect the entire clutch assembly.

Choices. Decisions.

[Semper Gumby]

When you do the spline lube, make sure you only lube the spline on the transmission input shaft.  DO NOT put any grease on the inside of the clutch friction plate teeth as per the picture in the Clymer manual.  If you do the spline lube per Clymer you will end up with "Half" a clutch (lots of slipping.)  

[Matt Chapter]

Talked to my mechanic yesterday, and found out that my transmission had an extremely rare failure.  Apparently one of the bearings was moving along the shaft.  The fix is to modify the shaft and replace the bearing so that it won't move.  Too bad it's only taken three months to figure out.  He tells me that the shaft modification is best performed by a specialist (even specialier than an airhead mechanic, I guess) so the transmission has been shipped there and might be back next week.  He also tells me that some transmissions had this modification from the factory and will be recommending this modification on any other rebuilds he does.

Recap: yes it was the transmission, probably not related to the rebuild though, excepting the fact that the bearing was replaced during the rebuild.

I have some small hope that I might enjoy the fall riding season after all!

[montmil]

Hey, Matt! Long time no hear from. Happy to know you're still above the grass. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Ed Miller]

Sounds like that circlip problem, where the factory stopped using them for a while.  Then started again, but of course there was nothing wrong with the ones without it.  According to them.

[tunnelrider]

Hi Matt,
I'm currently inside my 1985 gearbox (literally much to my girlfriend's despair) which has no output shaft front circlip.  It's done 170K km (just over 100K miles) and the gears are in good order, apart from the bearings which I'm replacing.

Yes the big bearing may've been pushed forward a little and caused extra stress on the rear bearing but I wasn't experiencing what you were Matt, only a noisier gearbox with some grinding vibration through the footpegs especially noticable in 4th and 5th at speeds 60-80km/h.

The gearbox has been entered before by Prev Owner ('s) and since I've only done 15K km since owning it over 1.5 years, I don't know when the gearbox bearings were last replaced. I suspect (from what I've read on the net) that having milky trans. oil after purchasing and again on the 3rd change was probably a catalyst of wearing bearings.  It still has what appears to be the original speedo cable boot, all crazied on the outer surface.  I've got a new one to put back on and I'll make damn sure I seal it up with RTV on the top surface.  But I digress.

Unless your gearbox has never been maintained I doubt the slipping problem is from the lack of a front circlip on the output shaft, as I said before, my one has no circlip and is good after 100K miles, only got noisy/ grindy.

P.S. Because of this I haven't gone to the length of installing a front circlip. Might be a case of last laugh - there are much more experienced crew out there!

[Matt Chapter]

Unless your gearbox has never been maintained I doubt the slipping problem is from the lack of a front circlip on the output shaft, as I said before, my one has no circlip and is good after 100K miles, only got noisy/ grindy.

I had the transmission rebuilt by the same mechanic about a year and 3k miles ago, the bearing had been replaced at that time.  Another symptom I had was a grinding noise, so it could be the circlip.  Beats me, honestly... that's why it's at the specialists (much to my wallet's dismay).

[Matt Chapter]

I'm happy to report my R65 is safe and sound in my garage, and running better than it has since last winter!

The transmission was sent out to a specialist in Cali, I missed the shop name but they specialize in transmissions and knew exactly what the problem was.  There was some machining done to a part to bring it to a later factory spec.. all I really care about is that it goes and the only noise is the normal music.

Next up: new front brake light switch, new seat, new mufflers.. and hopefully a very snazzy and distinct new look.

[Bob_Roller]

Good to hear you finally got the transmission back and the bike is ready to ride again !!!!! 8-)