Bent Mainshaft!
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: England
Bent Mainshaft!
I have a 1999 Roadking with 30k miles.
Was coming home from work and after a few miles noticed that the engine was losing power and that it wanted to stall at idle.
I also noticed (later) a metalic knocking noise coming from the primary.
Well, it turns out that the transmission mainshaft is bent- maybe 1/4" out of true...The clutch basket and chain were hitting the inner wall of the primary causing the noise and friction.
Has this happened to anyone else? How..?.. we were just doing our usual ride through the city to get home!
Any ideas about what might be the cause?
What needs to be replaced, typically, mainshaft, bearing?
Really appreciate everyones help and experience on the forum!
Thanks
TWG
Was coming home from work and after a few miles noticed that the engine was losing power and that it wanted to stall at idle.
I also noticed (later) a metalic knocking noise coming from the primary.
Well, it turns out that the transmission mainshaft is bent- maybe 1/4" out of true...The clutch basket and chain were hitting the inner wall of the primary causing the noise and friction.
Has this happened to anyone else? How..?.. we were just doing our usual ride through the city to get home!
Any ideas about what might be the cause?
What needs to be replaced, typically, mainshaft, bearing?
Really appreciate everyones help and experience on the forum!
Thanks
TWG
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 233
From: Altoona, Pa.
Dang, wierd how that could just happen without an incident. Cant tell you for sure what needs replaced, but when in doubt, for sure any inexpensive part would get replaced just to make sure. If your going to all the trouble to open it up, just a bit of cheap insurance to do any bearing you can get close to.
Just was wondering if the problem might have been a semi defective shaft. Good enough to go 30000 miles but not good enough to hit 31000. Sure you'll get some better answers than mine here. good luck.
Just was wondering if the problem might have been a semi defective shaft. Good enough to go 30000 miles but not good enough to hit 31000. Sure you'll get some better answers than mine here. good luck.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: England
yeah - very strange - will check the bearing once I get it all dissassembled...
There was no accident or bump or anything at all just a happy transmission when I left work and a useless one when I got home.
Anyone else ever had this problem?
There was no accident or bump or anything at all just a happy transmission when I left work and a useless one when I got home.
Anyone else ever had this problem?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Here's what happened to mine. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/640391-main-shaft.html
I just got the bike going yesterday. I bought a gear set with 2800 miles on it for $150.00 on ebay. I changed the drive belt while I was at it.
I just got the bike going yesterday. I bought a gear set with 2800 miles on it for $150.00 on ebay. I changed the drive belt while I was at it.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Texas
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Central Illinois
Years ago I had bought a basket case 1975 Sportster that the transmission (and many other things) were in need of repair. In the trans, first gear had broken a tooth off and the owner just kept riding it, but not using first gear, until it went "bang". That gear tooth had finally got picked up by another gear which tried to mash it it between 2 gears. In addition to a broken trapdoor, it bent the countershaft.
My guess is that something similar may have happened, or a bearing came apart inside the transmission allowing the mainshaft to wallow all over.
My guess is that something similar may have happened, or a bearing came apart inside the transmission allowing the mainshaft to wallow all over.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: England
wow - thanks for all the responses.
This is an odd failure
The gears are fine. We took the top cover off and its clear that the gears look perfect.
Had to buy a mainshaft nut removal tool from ebay - it arrives next week so we will see how it all looks after that.
Don't know if the bearing has failed and if this has wither allowed a straight mainshaft to move or has resulted in a bent mainshaft. The bearings are probably ok - I kinda hope so cause I dont want to have to buy the bearing removal tool! ... but wont really be able to tell until I get the tranny out.
Very unexpected failure - this isnt a big inch motor 100% stock with only a stage 1 airbox/dynoject upgrade...I even have stock mufflers on it.
Now I guess it's time to find a replacement mainshaft or gearset.
Thx
TWG
This is an odd failure
The gears are fine. We took the top cover off and its clear that the gears look perfect.
Had to buy a mainshaft nut removal tool from ebay - it arrives next week so we will see how it all looks after that.
Don't know if the bearing has failed and if this has wither allowed a straight mainshaft to move or has resulted in a bent mainshaft. The bearings are probably ok - I kinda hope so cause I dont want to have to buy the bearing removal tool! ... but wont really be able to tell until I get the tranny out.
Very unexpected failure - this isnt a big inch motor 100% stock with only a stage 1 airbox/dynoject upgrade...I even have stock mufflers on it.
Now I guess it's time to find a replacement mainshaft or gearset.
Thx
TWG