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View Full Version : The Love Affair Has Ended - Gearbox has gone


Guido
02-Aug-2005, 21:21
D:mad:U:mad:C:mad:A:mad:T:mad:I:mad: M:mad:O:mad:T:mad:O:mad:R:mad: H:mad:O:mad:L:mad:I:mad:N:mad:G:mad:S:mad: S:mad:p:mad:a:mad:

Sorry folks but at this current moment in time I have no words to desribe my feelings fully......:mad:

Had a look through the owwers manual and nowhere does it say "We hope you enjoy your product.......just so long as you don't ride it too much"

Feels like £11k down the swanny in my opinion, when I could do with it most....

Rob B
02-Aug-2005, 21:22
Sorry for your sad loss...........

Harv748
02-Aug-2005, 21:25
Shiiieeeetttt...sorry to hear that Guy...it seems you had years and miles of trouble free riding with your 'R' then this lot!

These things always seem to crop up when you least need them.

Fingers crossed you may be able to source one cheaply from someone off here or from a breakers (bike-enders?)?

keefer
02-Aug-2005, 21:31
that's real bad news especially after you just had all that work done.
is it not worth setting on fire ?
failing that I have a 748sp lump you may be interested in ?
what ever you chose to do hope you get on the road again soon

Dibble
02-Aug-2005, 21:34
noooooooooooooooo way, and it was looking so good and running so well at Cadwell, gutted for you mate ...

Jools
02-Aug-2005, 21:40
Guy...chin up mate. I know what it's like.

There's an ST2 down here that isn't being ridden as much as it deserves to be what with my current commitments.

I know it's not a patch on the 'R' but you're welcome to borrow it for a while.

Felix
02-Aug-2005, 22:54
That's utter crap, mate! What exactly is the problem?

KeefyB
02-Aug-2005, 23:01
Aww nooo!
Thats rotten luck mate,just as you were looking forward to riding again.
Lets hope its summat simple like a bust spring or circlip.

Jon
02-Aug-2005, 23:24
Guy it can't be gone completely!!! Surely its just a component or two

skidlids
03-Aug-2005, 01:03
More details of the problem please Guy
Got to be worth a call to Alan at AJ Racing to see what he may be able to sort.

Ray
03-Aug-2005, 10:24
GC,

Don't do anything rash. Loke others havbe said without a bit of diagnosis can't say what the problem is but sometimes gearboxes can go U/S for the sake of a two bob part.

I'll call ya later.

Ray.

moto748
03-Aug-2005, 14:35
Sorry to hear that, but it's hardly a well-known (common) problem, is it?

Guido
03-Aug-2005, 19:54
Originally posted by moto748
Sorry to hear that, but it's hardly a well-known (common) problem, is it?

Guess that cos not many Dukes are in the 25k+ miles bracket...

TP
03-Aug-2005, 20:03
Chin up Guy, there's plenty of good people around who can sort this out for you. It might not be as bad as you think?

Neil @ Sigma Performance (http://www.sigmaperformance.com)
Alan @ AJ Racing
Nelly @ Cornerspeed

Should be

Guido
03-Aug-2005, 20:43
This is what it's like, if anyone can give me a prognosis as to likely repair bill/time to strip etc

Meshed Gearbox (http://freespace.virgin.net/guy.cope/images/DSC%20Adhoc/748R%20Gearbox.wmv)

Thanks for all the notes folks, but whichever way you look at it, it shouldn't be off the road AGAIN in such a short time.

My main problem is Yes, I know the likes of Neil@Cornerspeed, Sigma, JHP are around but they cost money and that's something I aint got. My rebuild took a year, but I only had to fork out a small sum for it...The labour alone for the gearbox job will probably cost me more than I paid for the rebuild.

Being without it for a year has hardened me up to the fact it aint as glamourous as I first thought and aint a brand you can rely on. This is my 2nd 748 and it's the second one that has sh@t itself in a major way before most bikes even need a battery change.

The events of this week have really p1ssed me off. I'm lucky my dad's leant me his trusty P Reg Japper so I can carry out my work this weekend.

Thanks for the kind offer Jools my friend. I know I can always rely on the club

Guess I better get that 'Gutless Duke' avatar back up again...

Gc


[Edited on 3-8-2005 by Guido]

Dibble
03-Aug-2005, 20:52
ouch, my ears ... :puzzled:

Glyn
03-Aug-2005, 20:55
it couldn't be the big cluch nut come undone could it?

TP
03-Aug-2005, 20:55
Hrmm .. well I'm a mechanical numpty so I can't speculate but maybe it's not so bad?

Time to ring the experts, maybe they can tell from your clip whether a particular cog has gone, or what it could potentially be. I guess they won't know until it's opened up?

TP
03-Aug-2005, 21:00
Oh, just read your edited post. I understand mate, its tough and the UJM's look tempting because of their supposed reliability. Some do but UJM marquee's have their issue's too.

You'll never love one as much as you do yours. Just remember the feeling of riding it again after the motor was done, and Cadwell last week.

You'll be right mate, take it easy.

Redsps
03-Aug-2005, 21:16
I know how you feel guy.
when disaster strikes a duke, it's an utter nightmare. Not just the cost, but the time and availability of parts.
I had some quotes this week for the repairs to my sps, cheepest is well over £4k:o:o. and they rekon at least 3-4 months before it will be sorted:(:(:(, if they can get all the parts from italy that is.
I'm have second thoughts again myself now.
I know where you're coming from guy. Best of luck with it.

cheers
robin

[Edited on 3-8-2005 by Red SPS]

Jasper
03-Aug-2005, 21:17
Alternator nut or clutch nut,maybe?May not be all doom and gloom.Bad luck mate.It never rains.........................:(If there is anything i can do to help,let me know.

Guido
03-Aug-2005, 22:52
Thanks folks,

Dropped oil tonight and stripped the clutch. Magnet on drain plug does not seem to show adverse signs of 'shrapnel' over and above what would be expected after an engine rebuild 2k miles ago. (see attached image). Not sure if that's good or bad. I thought perhap more on the side of 'good'

Clutch is bone dry but it's not a normal ramp & ball slipper. Just has 3 ramps with no balls, but the ramps are bone dry with no sign of grease of lube. Still doesn't explain the gearbox noise though....

Felix
03-Aug-2005, 23:05
Guy, give me a ring at home when you can.

marksduc748
04-Aug-2005, 00:26
can you tell us any more such as:
is the rear wheel spining free when in gear??
was you riding it when it happened??
is it hard to find any gear?? running or not.

not good running it till you find the problem although now youve dropped the oil you wont be. hope all goes well and theres light at the end of the tunnel.

I would start with the clutch

skidlids
04-Aug-2005, 01:31
Blast haven't got sound on my home PC at the moment will have to check the vid tomorrow at work.
When my mate Simon Knowlson suffered gearbox problems last year at Castle Combe while leading the SoT race on his 748RS he lost the gears, Alan of AJR was present at the time and diagnosed a broken spring that only cost a couple of quid. How much work is envolved in replacing it I have no idea hnce my suggestion of talking to the experts.
Senna3's gearbox locked solid on the 916 Strada at Cadwell and now only has the first 3 gears try changing to 4th and the box locks up and stalls the engine. Probably cheaper to get another engine.

Ray
04-Aug-2005, 10:39
GC,

Checked the instructions for a four ramp slipper and it says it needs to be lubed. I can't see the three ramp design in your bike being any different.

Ray.

[Edited on 4-8-2005 by Ray]

Simon Reed
04-Aug-2005, 12:21
Guy,i've been there mate !,as much as we all lovem,when they go wrong,get ready with the cheque book !

i know this will upset a few but,gerra K5 thou,job done !

disco stu
04-Aug-2005, 16:32
Guido,i had a 748,now a sp1 turn key,fires up no issues,i now the duke is a looker and has that certain something,but i could not go on throwing money at it,and serious money it was.
The honda is just as good and so reliable

Guido
04-Aug-2005, 18:56
Originally posted by marksduc748
can you tell us any more such as:
is the rear wheel spining free when in gear??
was you riding it when it happened??
is it hard to find any gear?? running or not.

not good running it till you find the problem although now youve dropped the oil you wont be. hope all goes well and there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

I would start with the clutch

Full story is as;

Did Cadders track day - no noticeable problems at all with clutch or gears. Took bike home and dumped it in the garage.

Following Sunday replaced all road items such as indy's, lights/number place etc and road bodywork. Got wifey on the back and set off on an 80 mile jaunt.

Within ten miles I noticed after changing gear (at this point didn't know which one) as I opened the throttle, the bike lurched violently off and on (in a kangaroo stylee as if you had a fuel blockage etc). It eased as I opened the throttle more, disappearing completely over about 5-7k rpm. I thought it was strange but carried on as all seemed ok.

As I went through the gears after leaving lights/roundabouts etc, I noticed it did the same again disappearing as the throttle was opened more (it only happened straight after clutch lever was released and the throttle opened after changing gear). When we stopped for an ice cream, I checked the back wheel, chain and sprockets thinking one of these might have come loose after the Cadwell thrap and a year of the bike sitting idle. Nothing untoward was found here.

We set off on the final leg of our day with the lurching on a particular gear change continuing. I started to monitor it and found it was 4th gear that was giving the problems. On the upchange from 3rd I got the lurching as the throttle was opened. This kept disappearing as the power was fed in enabling me to achieve the normal 10krpm-11krpm gear change into 5th and 6th. if appropriate.

When I got home I again checked the chain/sprockets for piece of mind despite knowing it couldn’t be this if it was only in one gear where the probs were being experienced.

The bike was put away for the night leaving me perplexed. I took it to work the next morning checking things along the way. Same symptoms continued. I also noticed finding neutral upon stopping was more awkward than normal (i.e. down to bottom and one ‘snick’ up normally does it). Took me a few attempts to get the green ‘N’ light on. After work I met one of the lads who rebuilt my engine. He was unsure it was the box as of course the bike didn’t make the crunching noise when I started it for him in the garage and went thru the gears. He suggested topping up the oil to ensure the box was getting enough lube as it was a little lower than normal. We then greased and adjusted the rearset and gear change mech on the bike before he said to take it out for a run. I went out for 30 minutes and during this time found that the bike would not pull through 4th at all now. The lurching and crunching remained despite engine revs or throttle position. Gears 1-3 were fine and 5th & 6th also were fine.

I returned home extremely despondent looking at another year without the bike knowing it would entail a “motor-out” exercise if and when I could afford it..

That’s bang (literally) up to date.

Gc

JPM
05-Aug-2005, 10:46
Sounds like the alternator nut might be loose, had a similar thing many years ago from your description, but without seeing it, stripping it down my guess is as good anyone's

Good luck with it Guy, and don't give up on it just yet