Help, Over my head - Harley Forum

shovelmike · #1 06-05-2009, 11:16 PM

The 73 Shovel has long been plagued by a leaky mainshaft in the 4 speed tranny. Twice I have pulled the tranny and taken it for repairs, it seems to slow the leak for a while then a few months later it won’t hold oil. I have come to the conclusion that the main drive gear bushing is shot, thus it’s wrecking seals.
I bought the bushing and the tool to press out the old and in the new, the shifter fork alignment tool, the various gaskets etc. and pulled the tranny planning to tear it down and replace the bushing.
I should have seen it as an omen the way the job started out, one of the top cover screws wouldn’t break loose and the “allen “ head rounded out…I had to drill the head off the bolt to get the cover off.
When I started to disassemble the tranny, I tried to keep the needle bearings separate according to the gear they came from but they went everywhere when I was trying to get the countershaft out and I can’t figure out how to do the mainshaft The factory service manual isn't too clear. ….I’m way over my head on this one.
I need some advice, Frisco…Wright…Ace This is my "baby", been riding it since 87.

frisco-rigid · #2 06-06-2009, 04:38 PM

Hey Mike

This is the same prob that you had back in May '08 huh..

I guess it turned out to NOT be that little Main Drive gear seal after-all..

Well, dang-it Pal,, you've reached MY Peter Principle..

Once I get past the sprocket and seals on the left side and the kicker gears on the right, I too am over my head & I have to go to my trans. buddy for the inside of the case..

evoKENevo · #3 06-06-2009, 05:19 PM

Hi,Mike
I've never been any further into a H.D. trans than the outter cover.. So I hesitate even touching on this. But, in addition to your Shop Manual you might try getting a Parts Catalog for that bike (if you have'nt already) where the diagrams are often more helpful than the ones in shop manuals at showing what goes were in which order etc...right down to the smallest detail/part.

Or,you might try having your dealer pull up the parts diagram on their computer...and see if you can get a print out of what you need from them.

Here again,just suggestions

cuz I dunno !!

unclepsycho · #4 06-06-2009, 06:03 PM

Hi Mike
I too am no expert, but I have found the blown up schematics on bike bandit .com to be very helpful.

Double check that I entered the right bike, but the link below shows a fairly detailed picture of the inside of the tranny with part numbers too

It dont tell ya the size of the needle bearings, but maybe that will come together as you re-assemble.

good luck

1973 Harley Davidson Motorcycle Parts for FX-1200, OEM and Aftermarket at BikeBandit.com

shovelmike · #5 06-06-2009, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the link to Bikebandit, unclepshcho, those are good diagrams. Thanks Ken for the response. Yeah Frisco, Peter principle is right, I certainly have risen to my level of incompetence. I always stopped at sprocket/seals and kicker cover in the past..the previous trips to the shop I was instructing them to do what was needed to effect a lasting repair, I guess they didn't have anyone who knew enough to go inside the case either.
It was only in desperation that I explored further. There is one local indy who has advertised that he does trannys....and yeah, it's hard to find a tech who will jump into something someone else started, quite understandably..I used to take in a few top end jobs on Japanese bikes..sometimes disassembled at a dealer, owner balked at the price and brought her home...not real fun to get boxes of parts, see if it's all there etc.
I have looked at Jireh's tranny's: Chrome Horse is American made- Andrews gears, a little over $1200, the wife is kind of nudging me that way to get up and running as opposed to having the Shovel spread all over the garage for weeks. Anyone know if they're any good? Fitment problems etc. Their other tranny appears to be an import for a little over 900 but I don't think I would trust it around the block...
Gee Frisco, if your tranny man is real sharp I might have to pack in up and head down your way...it's so nice to be retired.

botzman · #6 06-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Mike.....wish I could help. Best of luck though in the fix. Botz

aceharleywrench · #7 06-08-2009, 07:17 AM

Mike,sorry I haven't responded all weekend,I took a little time off & went to Atlantic City.What can I do to help? You can call me & I'll try to talk you through it,or,if it's acceptible to you,you can send it to me & I'll send it back leak free at a fair price.Either way,let me know.

shovelmike · #8 06-11-2009, 10:12 PM

I ordered a complete tranny from Jireh. It arrived today and I've begun making preparations to install it. I got a new clutch release lever and need to find a nut to secure it (without cannibalizing off the old tranny). Also need to find the studs that secure the tranny case to the inner primary case, Jireh and J&P don't carry them, they are 3/8" dia. 2 1/4" long with 3/4" length fine thread on one end and 1 1/8" length coarse thread on the other. There has to be a source of these somewhere. Yeah, I know I could take the ones from the old case but they are in there really good, I'm getting old and lazy I guess, I'd rather screw in a new set.
I'm going to check the auto parts and hardware store but I'd appreciate any info on where to get these. Thanks, y'all ride safe and God bless.

unclepsycho · #9 06-11-2009, 10:44 PM

Hay Mike
At least now if you want to get old one back together, you can take your time

I havent used this company yet, but it was mentioned on another forum, by someone I trust...(Classic American Iron) and was recomended...so I got it bookmarked for the future.

Welcome to Colony Machine

frisco-rigid · #10 06-12-2009, 03:09 AM

Hey Mike

You'll find those double-sided studs in the Automotive Studs section in the local Best or Ace or TrueValue..

You can use, and I have used, Tempered All-thread in a pinch, works fine..

Oh Yeah----That's one of the very few places I actually do use a wee LockTite..

Have a ball