Ratchet top issues
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 85
From: NC
Ratchet top issues
Ok guys finally got some wiring issues corrected and now I need some transmission help. 79 fl ratchet top that is stubborn when trying to find 1st. Neutral is cake and shifts pretty good going into 2nd thru 4th. I rode about 20 miles a few days ago and at a stop light the bike didn't want to downshift into 1st or 2nd. Usually I have to rock the bike and release the clutch lever some to get it to drop into 1st from neutral. Bike is a kick only with a 3" bdl primary. Thought maybe the clutch needed adjusting so I readjusted everything. Pull the lever and pressure plate stops instantly. All seems right.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
wear in a couple places combined can cause this -
a bushing is in between the first gear its self and the counter shaft
the shift fork is worn and or the nut is loose on the fork stay on the shift shaft
the 2 bushings in the top lid - the shift rod connects to the lever see how much side to side play it has not back and forth
the drum has bushings in the lid and its shaft can and does wear out at some point -- miles ?????
the counter shaft end play comes into this if its way loose the shift dog does not slide in with out movement - if you down shift before you stop does it go in is the question
the shift ratchet top springs two are large 2 are small and can cause this
so what we do is strip it to the screws and fix everything not in spec including 4th gear bushing and a new third gear in Andrews only
don't be fooled by cheap parts they fail in a year
a bushing is in between the first gear its self and the counter shaft
the shift fork is worn and or the nut is loose on the fork stay on the shift shaft
the 2 bushings in the top lid - the shift rod connects to the lever see how much side to side play it has not back and forth
the drum has bushings in the lid and its shaft can and does wear out at some point -- miles ?????
the counter shaft end play comes into this if its way loose the shift dog does not slide in with out movement - if you down shift before you stop does it go in is the question
the shift ratchet top springs two are large 2 are small and can cause this
so what we do is strip it to the screws and fix everything not in spec including 4th gear bushing and a new third gear in Andrews only
don't be fooled by cheap parts they fail in a year
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 85
From: NC
wear in a couple places combined can cause this -
a bushing is in between the first gear its self and the counter shaft
the shift fork is worn and or the nut is loose on the fork stay on the shift shaft
the 2 bushings in the top lid - the shift rod connects to the lever see how much side to side play it has not back and forth
the drum has bushings in the lid and its shaft can and does wear out at some point -- miles ?????
the counter shaft end play comes into this if its way loose the shift dog does not slide in with out movement - if you down shift before you stop does it go in is the question
the shift ratchet top springs two are large 2 are small and can cause this
so what we do is strip it to the screws and fix everything not in spec including 4th gear bushing and a new third gear in Andrews only
don't be fooled by cheap parts they fail in a year
a bushing is in between the first gear its self and the counter shaft
the shift fork is worn and or the nut is loose on the fork stay on the shift shaft
the 2 bushings in the top lid - the shift rod connects to the lever see how much side to side play it has not back and forth
the drum has bushings in the lid and its shaft can and does wear out at some point -- miles ?????
the counter shaft end play comes into this if its way loose the shift dog does not slide in with out movement - if you down shift before you stop does it go in is the question
the shift ratchet top springs two are large 2 are small and can cause this
so what we do is strip it to the screws and fix everything not in spec including 4th gear bushing and a new third gear in Andrews only
don't be fooled by cheap parts they fail in a year
as far as miles...unknown really. Got it second hand and guy had no idea but it worked ok but has always been tricky to find 1st
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Only thing I can offer is these transmissions don't shift like modern ones do...you have to shift like you mean it...
Downshifting my 4 speed to get it to engage...I always thought I was going to break the lever off the forward controls...
Downshifting my 4 speed to get it to engage...I always thought I was going to break the lever off the forward controls...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,357
From: Cental, MI
And if it were a cow pie, it would generally be linkage, if not clutch
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 85
From: NC
So I pulled the tranny tonight. Checked all the clutch plates looked for any damage. All was good. Moved to top side and the ratchet mechanism was a little sticky. So I tore it apart. All looked good but there was some wear on the return springs but still looked ok. Moved to kicker. Pulled it apart and bingo. Crappy little c clip had broken and the bearings were floating in the bottom of the kicker cover. Clutch rod looks like it has punched through the slinger too. The slinger was beat all to hell. Tell me if I'm wrong but this should be the root cause of my problem - no?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 85
From: NC
Also trying to order a new throw out bearing kit. How do I know what length rod I should get? It's a kick only. I know measure the one i have but I'm curious if the guy that had this before me put the wrong one in. Like i mentioned it has always had an issue getting into first but has gotten worse over the past 400 miles.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 2,168
From: australia
after you start to find weird stuff in your transmission you probably should get it overhauled.......best thing is, you can box it up and send it to an expert for the rebuild
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,357
From: Cental, MI
clutches and especially kickers are usual suspects due to cheap *** parts availability
and
the throwout retainer usually don't Fall off clutch adjustment and procedure is Suspect
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 532
Likes: 85
From: NC
yeah I believe this may have been adjusted too tight from the get go. I have adjusted it per manual myself and I noticed that finding the sweet spot was tough on this tranny when I got it. I only have 400 miles on thos bike personally so I cant speak for how it was ran before hand. I did note that someone put a new aftermarket ratchet top on it. Gear stacks look good but I'm going to replace a few parts. Then see how it responds on the bench.