My 71' Bonnie

[williamc89]

can you take on of the gears out and see if it turns then, i havent seen the trans but it sounds like you have something in a bind

[novafrk]

Well, I figured out why my "transmission" was "locked up"... I'm very embarassed to tell you guys what was wrong... I had a legitimate issue with how I was indexing the shift forks into the shift cam plate. Trying to use the proceedure for the plunger style of transmission with a leaf spring style transmission is near to impossible. When I went back to the manual and istalled the transmission as per the book it worked the first time... Lesson learned: always refer to the correct manual for your bike.

The reason things seemed "locked up" or "in a bind" was some dumb ass left the timing pin in... this locking up the engine preventing the expected movement of said gear train... SO lesson learned... take the damn timing pin out of the crank and the transmission will not only shift smooth as glass but the wheel, transmission and engine will move with the expected resistance per each gear... as opposed to the clunk clunk a locked in place wheel, transmission and crank make... FML

Kirk out. :-)

[zilch56]

Nova,

Dude we all are "great" mechanics that know enough to get us in trouble. Don't beat yourself up too much, I have done the same kind of thing even reading the manual. It gets all jacked up after I tell myself "I got this", then go back and re-read and go Oh ya that's what it meant.

We are learning these machines as we go. Just glad to hear you worked it out.

This sight is great because it shares information that helps all that participate.

[novafrk]

Thanks for the moral support Zilch. I felt I had to post it, to hopefully save someone the same headache. That and felkman laughed a lot when I told him... I'll always go for a laugh. It was also after midnight and I had just discovered that I am going to have to rebuild the clutch hub. I forgot to mention that in the last post. That's what the FML was for, kind of misleading without the cause. lol :-)

[zilch56]

I go to view a series of vids made by this English fellow named Lunmad on you tube. He made them about different rebuild or maintenance on his Bonnie. He is hard to understand but his methods are very straight forward and they are useful. He has one on the Bonnie Clutch. Just do a search for Lunmad on Youtube.

[novafrk]

I'm suscribed to Lunmad, love his videos. I haven't checked him out for a little while though. I'll look today at lunch. Thanks for the info!

[hogsausage]

Hey all that matters in the end is you figured it out and prgress moves forward!

[novafrk]

Thanks Hog! Have you ever replaced clutch hub bearings? :-)

[550fi]

Glad to hear you got it figured out,one step closer.

[novafrk]

Thanks 550. One step closer, two steps back.

[cb500bobber]

I thought we were working on motorcycles not dancing. It sounds like u are doing the two step

[novafrk]

I know right! I disassembled the clutch hub this morning. This is what I found...



One incorrectly installed thrust washer. There is no other damage or even wear to speak of. Do I dare hope that a 10 dollar thrust washer will cure this problem, or will Hearthache slap me in the face again... Tune in next time to find out.... (brought to you by Fizzy Soapy Flakes, the only flake that fizzes away those tough stains...)

[hogsausage]

I had to completely redo my primary one year on my 71 and it was not all that bad. Just check everything and do it twice. I think me and friend knocked it out in a weekend. I need to get back out your way and freshen up my bench skills. Still waiting on a weld for my pipes then i'll be road worthy again.

[novafrk]

Very cool. Lunmad has a video on rebuilding the clutch hub. His was "completely knackered" Mine looks brand new except for the thrust washer.

[550fi]

The next week or so is gonna be rainy and cooler,maybe get some work done while it sucks out.