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[jefrs]

I mentioned the mayonnaise. It tells us we've got water. Flushing through with fresh oil will remove mayonnaise. It needs some work the wash it around the system, like a washing machine, so use the bike and change it again until the mayonnaise goes away and the oil remains clean. Once upon a time we might have used flushing oil because it has more detergents but it may eat seals and it is a poor quality lubricant, so just use your normal oil.

[Count Johnny]

Thanks for the further input, chaps



One of the things that I'm asking myself is how rain water managed to get into the gearbox, anyway!



OK, so the conditions WERE horrendous, but everything was good and tight, so the water's had to go some to find its way inside.



Thinking I'll get busy with the silicone grease, next time out.

[Bullet Whisperer]

Hi Iain, Having ridden 'Slo Poke' myself in torrential rain, here are a couple of shots in the dark - water gets flung all over the place by the tyres when the road surfaces are wet, so, possibly something like the clutch cable has been in the firing line, the water then running down it and into the 'box. Also, I seem to recall one of the gearbox mounting stud passageways is open to the inside of the gearbox, but with all the studs and nuts fitted and done up tightly, this should not really be a way in for any water. As your 5 speed box has a right side shift fitted, check the blanking plug directly behind where the gear lever shaft comes out - it may even be missing, as I have seen before - although I would think oil would get out and alert you to such a problem. Finally, 'Slo Poke' is LOW - have you been through much in the way of deep water, on flooded roads? That's about all I can suggest at the moment. Regards, Paul.

[Leon Novello]

If there is only a minuscule amount of water there, I would not bother changing the oil as the water would evaporate as the gearbox heated up on a run. If there is a lot of water in there, chances are that the oil will emulsify over time (change colour and smell rotten). Water in oil will push out the oil where it is under pressure and leave metal to metal contact.

[Count Johnny]

Hi Paul



Thanks for your thoughts. My money's on the clutch cable - which Venhill didn't fit with a rubber boot - and the gearbox may have been further opened to the elements by my having to fit a 'roadside' lightweight inner cable, when the existing item snapped on the first day.



Hi Leon



There was a fair amount of water in there - enough to give the oil the appearance of Stilton soup.

[jefrs]

Scratching my head ... but the clutch cable goes to the clutch in the primary chaincase, not the gearbox. Water in with the clutch is bad news because the friction plates are held on with a water based cement (because it runs in oil which would dissolve solvent based). If that is running in ATF it doesn't mayonnaise as much as oil does, it does but may not be as obvious; I've had automatic gearboxes get water in them. Correct me if I'm wrong but this side is running in a separate fluid. Best to check for water in there. Solution is as before, drain and flush but to be more thorough at removing all traces of water from the clutch (cover off, wash (clutch spray) and mop out). If friction plates have unstuck, you'll notice, it's new clutch time. If no water in there and clutch is good, no worries.

[Gwilly]

Jeff don't forget this is a 5 speed indian box, (separate unit) the clutch cable enters the front RH side of the box and actuates a ball and ramp system inside the cover, this in turn forces a push rod through the hollow mainshaft to lift the clutch pressure plate which is in the primary crankcase..

The only way water in the primary could enter the gearbox would be via the pushrod along the mainshaft bore.. Not significant i think as i only find a slight reddish tinge from the ATF in the primary ever finds its way into the outer cover on a 4 speed box which is similar design up to that point..

I agree with BW in the absence of oil leakage from missing bung etc then it must have entered via the forward facing cable seal or more fantastically down the inner cable itself from the handle bars..

[Count Johnny]

Interestingly, the ingress of water & crap appears to have killed my Bob Newby clutch - at least that's the current theory having ruled out poor adjustment.



Having spoken to our hosts, the pushrod tube in the mainshaft can have a tendency to fill up with crap, so it'll be off with the gearbox and primary covers, out with the plates, and hopefully - with a bit of a scrub of the plates(soapy water, I'm assured) and a root around in the mainshaft - normal service will be resumed.

[Count Johnny]

PS.



I've bought some precautionary spares (new clutch rod and pad and a new throwout ramp assembly - in case they're particularly grunged) and had a chat with Richard, at Hitchcocks, but if anyone has any hints or tips, they'd be most welcome.