Forum

[Roger the old]

Having recently done the deed and bought the beast I am now the owner of an imported Clasic in not bad order. After a few rides out I have in mind a to-do list and one these relates to getting the gearbox a bit more user friendly. With all the leverage of a huge long lever it still seemed a bit reluctant to move easily into gear, (and the sun was shining so oil/grease would be thin). My question to you fellow owners is do these gearboxes take a while to run in, or, are they always stiff? I am familiar with British bikes as well as a BMW boxer. Has anyone tried an additive to the oil? (I once owned an E German motor with a gearbox that was dreadful until it warmed, with an additive it became quite Slick, well almost!I can't see a down side as the oil and additive should remain in the box and not get to contaminate the clutch friction plates. Any words of wisdom/experience before I reach for the spanners and possibly some goo?
Cheers.

[Craig]

Hello Rodger..(And Welcome)..Now Presumeing You Mean The "4 Speed R/H Alibion Copy" ..YES They Need a Lot Of running In.. Miy 350's at 30K is as Sweet as a Nut...(My Old 500 at 10 K was Ok).. Now I Have allway's Put an Egg Cup Full of Oil in the Gear Box Now and again (About Once a Fortnight in Daily use) Yes This Drips Out Eventualy or Discolours Part Of your exhurst,,,BUT Out of the 5 Classic 4 Speed I Own I Never Had a Bad Un'... Infact I have a 5 Speed Now (L/H) as Well as My Old 350 4s Std, Yet I Prefer the feel of the Old Box...I Have tried Graphite & Aditives But all in All An Egg Cup of Oil Work's wounders (But it will Drip)..Yes They Feel A Bit BMWish But Not as Bad as a Harley ;0)..ENJOY & Ride It Every Day.. Cheers Craig.

[Craig]

Just Noted Your:as the oil and additive should remain in the box and not get to contaminate the clutch friction ??/ SO IF ITS An EFFi..Sorry then Over To an EFI(ing)Expert..No Cross Pulition In The Old Pre Unit design...:0)

[Roger the old]

Hi Craig, thanks for your thoughts. It is a 4 speed that i have and no its is not an EFI. My thoughts about the possible contamination was mainly about the possibility of oil travelling down inside the mainshaft from inside the g/box and coming out in v.small quantities on the friction plates? Perhaps I'm thinking too much and not riding it enough!

[Roger the old]

What I should have said was 'oil plus additive'

[Craig]

Know What ya Meen, Can Not say that I ever had Any Clutch (Or Enough to matter) Clutch Polution, Though One Did Drip Out a Lot through The front Sprocket..Anyway at least We ALL Now Know its a 4 Speed Box...( I Have allways Used GP Grease And a Bit Of Oil)...Cheers Craig

[PeteF]

Making the gearbox work is mostly to do with making the clutch work. You don't have a great deal of leeway with adjustment so it's got to be spot on. Getting rid of the gearbox outer cover flex goes a long way to improve things. Look in Mr H's accessories for a cheap fix. Chain tension, somewhat surprisingly, has to be correct if you want a good change.

[PeteF]

Oh, and as to additives, a dollop of black moly added to the 00 grease helps a lot.

[Norm]

Not having any info as to the year it could be possible that it was a left shift converted to right shift and I have found that there is problems when the new outer cover is fitted that it binds up on the neutral finder. I usually have to file out quite a bit for it to operate freely. Just a thought

[Exile]

Quote from Pete F.: "Getting rid of the gearbox outer cover flex goes a long way to improve things. Look in Mr H's accessories for a cheap fix."


I've noticed the outer cover flexing too, every time I use the clutch... Worrying, I thought. What causes it, how do I stop it..?