Topic: What went wrong........... Fixed

[clarkjh]

I was thinking of taking the 74 CB550 out of the house and trying to start it for the first time after the rebuild.  Long story short, everything was apart.  I checked the trans before I put the top end on in case I had to take it apart to fix something, work through all gears no problem.  Now I though, hym, maybe I better double check the shifting before its outside.  Now nothing, tried first, nothing, second, only if I pull up and turn the back wheel.  Starting to look like I'm going to have to pull the motor and take the bottom off. 

Any ideas what to look out for.  I shouldn't have any problems working on the trans from the bottom should I?

Scratching head James

[scondon]

     I'm not familiar with the 550 gearbox, but if I try shifting gears a few times on the 750, without the engine running, it stops being able to shift at all until I get the engine running and the clutch engaged(slightly). If you're having to spin the back wheel in order to shift then maybe it's the same on the 550.

     In other words, maybe there is no problem

[ken736cc]

Due to the design of the transmission, it is difficult or impossible to shift gears unless all the shafts are in motion. Carefully place the bike on the centerstand with the rear wheel off the ground.  With the engine running at idle or slightly above, try to shift up and down through the gears. If this works, a carefull road test is your next step. If this does not work, examine the shifting mechanism before doing any major disassembly. Good luck.

[clarkjh]

Looks like I might have to convince the wife that I DO need to start the bike in the basement.  It's damn hard working in the cold carport, and a hard push in the back door.
Keep the ideas coming.

James

[clarkjh]

Took her outside and she started up , two carb bowls leaked , tranny still not working , looks like she's coming out of the frame and dropping the bottom of the case.

James

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Did you run through the clutch adjustment instructions? 

[ken736cc]

Do not remove the engine until you have checked the operation of the shift mechanism. This can be done in the frame.

[clarkjh]

Did you run through the clutch adjustment instructions? 

Clutch is good.

Do not remove the engine until you have checked the operation of the shift mechanism. This can be done in the frame.

In behind the clutch basket?  the shift leaver gets full stroke, both down and up, but doesn't seem to be moving anything in the gearbox, except for one shift up then it acts like 4th or 5th gear.

James

[500four]

you don't have to pull the clutch to get to the shifter mechanism. clutch is on the right. you need to pull the shifter off of the left side, then pull the cover, and the shifting mechanism is right in there.

[clarkjh]

I know that linkage too well, guess I'll pull the clutch basket and remove and reasemble that linkage again, (will be about the 5th time)

James

[LoopsAndLogic]

I think with the motor off, you do have to spin the rear tire very slowly for the gears to engage.

Have you ever heard of a CB owner that is selling a parts bike on Ebay say, "I rolled the bike through all the gears and they seem to work".

Sounds familiar???

 But if you did have the engine running, it should have gone into 1st or 2nd.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Best of luck

LL

[clarkjh]

the first 3 it just didn't work, the 4th it worked so I put the basket on and closed it up, something must have come off when I closed it up.  Will find out when I take it apart again.

James

[clarkjh]

Fixed

I had to pull the motor and crack the case.  Seems in my zeal to get the bike running I didn't count the shifts, the big cog, number 19 was backwards.  Flipped it and shifts into all five, although fith seems out a bit, but that might just take a turning gearbox to engage over 60%.

Got everything put back together and took Surly out for a test spin, works slick as snot.  Then I figured out my bads toast, stalled at a stop sign, pushed 1/2 mile to a hill that I could jump start her and took her home before it got dark.  I think she'd pull the front wheel if I wasn't as light in saddle as I am, as it is tires are going to need replaced quite frequently.  She idles at 1100 as smuthe as silk.

Grinning ear to ear.  Gotta love that first ride of the season.

James

[upperlake04]

 Way to go James.   Nice to read a story with a happy ending