I have a 1959 panhead FL. I got tired of the grabing clutch so i bought the tamer. I was installing it and when i put it in neutral with the clutch disengaged and kick it over the basket wobbles, so i took the basket/chain and hub off i put a dial indicator on the inner primary cover to the main shaft, it's bent. my question is, what causes this ? allso J&P wants $208.00 for the main shaft and IRON EAGLE wants $ 62.00 something. whats the best one to get ? is the least exspensive CHINA/JAPAN ? or is J&P over priced ? Thanks for any help.

 

On a bike that old, there's no telling what caused it. J&P is almost always overpriced, but they usually have stuff in stock. I'm not familiar with Iron Eagle, but I'd hazard a guess that at that price it's China-bred.

 

Thanx for the info. would a worn main shaft bearing make it seem bent ? there is up n down play, about 0.13" on the dial indicater 0-13

 

The worn bearing probably wouldn't give you a bent shaft indication on a dial indicator.

 

If the shaft is bent (most likely the problem) then the indicated bend will always be at the same location, say at 8 o'clock. If it is a worn bearing, the location may wander around a bit as you rotate the shaft.............................. piniongear

 

Not that it helps much but I seem to remember that shaft bent easily on those old bikes. Especially ones without the compensator sprocket on the engine shaft. (yeah, I am older than dirt)

 

thanks for all the help, i went with the andrews main shaft, that and a low gear bushing and some thrust washers seal an gaskets 3/4 of a quart of 80-90 valvoline gear oil. the tamer. could'nt ask for a better shifting ol panhead. thanks again.