My primary has been making some noise lately. Sounds like a combination of the compensating sprocket and a worn out chain. Last time I was in there I noticed the motor sprocket teeth were on the sharp side, meaning they were pretty well worn. Chain had a lotta side-to-side slop, too. I priced a new compensating sprocket, chain, and clutch set-up. Got a Primo enclosed belt drive at a lower price.

I was also having a problem with engine oil making its way into the primary. I'd "transfer" a little less than a quart every 1000 miles or so. Hopefully it's the seal on the crankshaft, and not cracked cases. Really can't afford to put a new motor into the bike right now, and if I'd need to tear it down to fix or replace the cases, I'd go ahead and rebuild the rest of the motor anyway. It'd be almost cheaper to get a new HD crate motor, or maybe spring for an S&S.

Hadn't planned on messing with it 'til January. I replaced a battery that lost charge overnight, and the new battery lasted a couple days of riding, and then went dead. While checking out the charging system I found the insulation rotted off the leads on the regulator plug, and the alternator plug in the engine case pulled out. Since I had to pull the primary all the way down to get at the alternator, I'll put the belt drive on, too.

When I disassembled the clutch enough to pull the plates and get to the nut, I found one of the pieces where the 4 bolts hold the spring and plate assembly to the hub was broken off. Might explain why on occasion the clutch grabbed a bit. With a suicide clutch pedal that sudden grab sometimes caused me to stall the bike. Sorta embarrassing when yer being Joe Stud on yer sewer-side machine and leaving some joint crowded with other riders. [8D]

Compensating sprocket came off easily with the electric impact wrench, and the clutch hub nut came off with the help of THE MAMA standing on the rear brake with the bike in gear. Too easy. Needed a special HD tool to pull the clutch assembly off the mainshaft, and all I had was a very old clutch hub puller designed for 4 speed types. And I'd modified it to work with 3, 5, and 10 stud clutch assemblies, so it had a few extra holes in it. Of course, I couldn't get a good 4 holes to line up with the Evo clutch, so it was drilling time again.

Burned up a drill bit before I remembered I had some titanium coated bits. After that the new holes went easy. The center bolt on the puller is pointed and there isn't any good way to use it without messing up the threads on the mainshaft. I used to keep a bunged up hub nut to use with the puller, but it wouldn't fit in the small space between the puller and hub. Ended up using the hub nut from the bike, threaded partially onto the shaft, then grinding the point off the puller bolt, and finally putting a piece of flat stock between the nut and puller bolt. Once I locked the rear wheel down, a 1/4 turn with the wrench, a sharp rap on the puller bolt, another 1/4 turn with the wrench, and the hub popped loose.

Had to stop there to grab a bite, and get ready to go to a party. Gotta pull the starter solenoid, and the starter motor, then pull the inner primary. That'll get me to the alternator, and to the engine crankshaft seal that I hope is the cause of my leak.

Y'all ride a bit for me, y'hear?

 

Man sounds like you have some work ahead of you. Good luck hope your back on the road soon.

 

That actually sounds enjoyable... I miss those days, sorta.

 

Skip,

Nice to hear the adventures of a real WRENCH. Don't you know, though, that if you would just chrome it you wouldn't have these problems?

Chrome won't get you home, but it might get you laid.

Seriously, it sounds like you are going to have a pretty neat set up when you get through. A suicide shift with a belt primary is cool. Probably nothing I could ride, as I would end up killing myself, but I do admire the people that do.

Regards,

Bill

 

Do you think the belt drive had anything to do with causing the oil leak? Good luck man, at least it'll all be done right and you'll have a reliable ride when it's all finished.

 

I think on the heavydutycycles there some clues about the oil leaking into the primary something about the screw holes for the stator

 

http://www.heavydutycycles.com/techtip3evo.htm
check out tip
371

 

I meant # 71 sorry

 

Thanks for the info, Steve. Mine's an '87 so it shouldn't apply, but I think I'll do the test described anyway.

 

Whew...I'm glad I'm not going thru all that, I got all tired out read'n about it.[sm=smiley13.gif]





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