Gearboxes.

Robert Watson

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VOC Member
OK, I need to be educated on A gearboxes. I have just dismantled two of them, one from the A twin and one that came with the TTR. The twin one was, as I suspected it would be, quite a mess. Broken gear teeth, several case issues that may be able to be repaired, and mostly well worn out. The other one is also a standard BAP type, in fact identical in almost every way to the one from the Twin. I suspect it came from a Meteor that was canabalized for parts for various bikes back in the day.
I know the TTR should have a close ratio gear set, but as I expect it will not likely have its throttle twisted in anger I am fine with standard gears. I want to replace all the internals in the Twin box, so I need to know what other boxes have the same internals, if anyone knows. I also am lead to believe that the post war singles used the same gears as the prewar ones, is that true?
Does anyone have a spare gearbox they are willing to part with????
 

nkt267

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I'm not an expert on Burman boxes but over the years have canabalised other Matchless/AJS gearboxes for parts.You must make sure with Matchless/AJS gearboxes that you get the heavyweight 500cc ones as although the 350cc ones look right they are of different dimensions.on the 500 boxes the gear lever pivot and the kickstart pivot are both large diameter and I think on the the 350 the gear lever pivot is smaller than the kick start(thought I'd found a cheap gear lever till I checked it).
If you have Burman part numbers Draganfly Motorcycles of Bungay may be able to help(Ariel specialist).The BAP box fitted to Ariels is similar but the mainshaft is completely different.I have some Burman info somewhere If I find it I will post some better info. John
 

Robert Watson

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After several calls to UK suppliers (including the VOCS) I have educated myself on the Burman box and its internals, I have located a set of standard ratio dog type gears that will do the trick in the TTR. The only thing left at the moment is a mainshaft shifter fork. I have one good one and one that is useable but a new or better one here would be good. I am told they are not even being made, so maybe an opportunity for the VOCS as they dont look too complcated. Next, on to the case repairs!
 

nkt267

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The idea of producing selector forks was raised in MPH earlier this year by someone else looking for replacements.What about building a Comet from spares?:rolleyes: The selectors have numbers stamped on them,I suggest you post these numbers on the forum and we all search our boxes of odd bits to see if we have them.John:)
 

Robert Watson

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I uploaded a picture but not sure where it will go!!
 

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Robert Watson

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OK now I see where it went. It is a 42BA and fits the sliding double gear on the main shaft. All the "burman people" tell me they are not available, maybe we need to bribe that man in Holand to make a drawing!!
 

nkt267

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I have checked on the Draganfly site
http://www.draganfly.co.uk/main.html
they list a BA layshaft selector item 3214-31 @£22.05 +tax and shipping,but no mainshaft selector.
Download ariel list 14 and you will see their gearbox parts in section 19.
You can also download the price list as well.
I do have a pair of these selectors but as I look after 3 Comets they are the only spares I have at the moment.I will keep an eye out for 42BA/1(PR50-42BA) and 43BA/1(PR50-43BA) at shows for you and see what turns up.If you have found some by then, they will always come in handy for someone.John
See ebay item 300159510360 This gearbox is located in Estonia and is for a 500 single sunbeam.
 
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Robert Watson

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VOC Member
Hey John and John. Thanks for the replies.

The layshft selector of course is the one that doesn't wear out, that is why they have them! The main shaft one is the one that wears out and is not available new anywhere - Draganfly, VOCS and others I have tried. The three pieces in the gearbox that seem to take the most abuse are 14 BA, 15 BA, and the selector. None are available new at the moment but the good news is that 14 and 15 are, as they say. in progress. I have it looks like, a used selector fork in transit thanks to a very kind Club Member - what a Club, and I have also located a full dogged gear set. It's not a close ratio but it is in reasonable shape. This will go in the TTR and the gears that came with the box with the TTR will go in the twin. Now I have some serious case repairs to make, although I'm on the trail of a main box, I do have one kickstart cover (3BA M12 if anyone has one- and it is different from the post war Comet) that is a real mess, having blown out the snap ring groove that holds the main bearing plus some other cracks! In the meanwhile I have started rebushing the good bits I have. TT Industries in NZ list a full box for NZ$5700 but I suspect that nothing would be interchangeable - except the complete box.

This is just the gearbox, I can't wait 'till I tackle the engines!

Robert
 

Robert Watson

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VOC Member
Yes, Me again.
Contrary to what I have been lead to believe, I find that the actual gear case Post war vs Pre war is NOT the same. I know the K/S case and covers are different but so is the case. The external lugs are opposite and the adjuster location is quite different, and the prewar one is a Mark 3, the Post war one is a Mark 26. It still appears that most of the internals are the same. I have one good case from a single and two others, both from Twins (they are for all intenets and purposes the same as the singles), one of which has been welded in several places and one or which needs welding in three places, one to repair a small hole where it appears an errant gear tooth has been jammed between case and a gear and pushed through the case, and the other where two stud bosses have been drilled and tapped out oversize and one is very crooked and loose and the other is cracked and stripped. Welding here I am sure will cause some distortion problems. Meanwhile if anyone has a spare series A gearbox looking for a home??????

Robert
 
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