Topic: My rear wheel spins in nuetral on centerstand.

[bender01]

 My 73 350f does this until its been warmed up. Ive adjusted the clutch some but it still does it. I think my countershaft bearing is poor and causing this. My front sprocket does not turn easily as my 550k or other bikes in the past. Any tips on how to remedy this without tearing the engine apart?  Thanks for any ideas..

[troppo]

These bikes have a wet clutch, so theres oil between the clutch plates.
Think automatic transmission, oil is used to transfer the power from the engine to the gears.
When cold the oil is thicker and it would make the plates turn even when disengaged, theres no load on the rear wheel when the bikes on the center stand

[MCRider]

My 73 350f does this until its been warmed up. Ive adjusted the clutch some but it still does it. I think my countershaft bearing is poor and causing this. My front sprocket does not turn easily as my 550k or other bikes in the past. Any tips on how to remedy this without tearing the engine apart?  Thanks for any ideas..

As far as the wheel turning on the centerstand in neutral, this is a perfectly normal and acceptable situation. Its simply the teeny tiny sympathetic friction of various components and the oil in the clutch. If you can stop the wheel with the rear brake without killing the engine, don't worry about it.

As far as whether you have another problem with the countershaft bearing, I can't say, but the symptom of the wheel turning in neutral is likely not the tell. Meaning, if you fixed the countershaft bearing, the wheel will still turn in neutral on the centerstand. Even a brand new bike will do this.

[cafe750]

That's perfectly normal. It's not advisable, but if you drag your foot along the side of the tire while it's in nuetral, it'll stop. Like everyone else said, It's the viscosity of the oil that is transferring the power through the clutch plates...

[heffay]

or your clutch is dragging badly and you're just a fata$$ so it won't spin the wheel while not on the centerstand.   

jk, man.  fat happens, just try to get into a gym soon and the wheel will rotate at all times.   

[bradweingartner]

Remind me again guys what a wet or dragging clutch has to do being in neutral??

But they are right, it's no big deal and is caused by the shaft and gear having enough friction to overcome the friction in the final drive. As long as you can stop the wheel easily with a boot don't sweat it.

[333]

First, the clutch is fully engaged, so the input shaft is spinning. The gears are so close that the cold oil and the close proximity allow the input shaft and the rest of the tranny to have an affect on each other.  As the oil warms up it becomes thinner and will stop doing this.

[MCRider]

Remind me again guys what a wet or dragging clutch has to do being in neutral??

But they are right, it's no big deal and is caused by the shaft and gear having enough friction to overcome the friction in the final drive. As long as you can stop the wheel easily with a boot don't sweat it.

You're right, on the surface, the clutch is fully engaged and it means nothing, if the trannie is in neutral. But in diagnosing the problem, one pulls in the clutch lever, disengaging the clutch, thinking that will stop the wheel spin surely, and the wheel still spins, causing the observer further consternation. That is the oil in the clutch, and sympathetic friction.

I am concerned with this desire to stick one's boot into a spinning rear wheel. Touching the rear brake is much more sane.   

[speedy gonzalais]

all bikes do it even the new ones ive never looked into why they do it but hearing the wet clutch pheory makes sense.

[mystic_1]

When the bike is in neutral and hte clutch is engaged, the reason the rear wheel wants to spin is because of friction between the gears and shafts of the transmission.  In neutral, the mainshaft is still spinning but since the gear dogs are not engaged the gears are free to spin on the shaft.  However the oil film between the gear's bushings and the shaft wants to transfer torque as described above.

mystic_1

[rachet]

or your clutch is dragging badly and you're just a fata$$ so it won't spin the wheel while not on the centerstand.  

jk, man.  fat happens, just try to get into a gym soon and the wheel will rotate at all times.  

Made me laugh out loud here at work!  Hilarious!

[bender01]

The bike was rebuilt a few POwners ago maybe the bearing didnt seat evenly? Im thinking of getting something round to see if I could tap it it in a hair( or does it need to be pushed out?)  or maybe just tap the sprocket?  Ive seen other bikes do this but not spin this fast. And I must be fat cause it wont pull me anywhere in nuetral ... or over 80 in 5th for that matter. 

[kslrr]

That bearing is held in by a ring and a slot.  If it was not in place correctly then the cases would not completely close.  Do not worry about the bearing because it turns easily, unless it is making noise or feels rough when you grab the sprocket with the chain off and rotate it.  I would worry if it did not turn easily like your 550k did.

[bender01]

No it doesnt turn at all like my 550k. it doesnt spin but will turn with a finger pushing it. Anyone have one of those bearings? or know where to get one? This is going to be a project..

[kslrr]

Oh, I'm sorry, read your first post incorrectly.  It does NOT spin as easily as the 500k.  On my 350 it does not free wheel when spun but does turn smooth with one finger.  Like I said, if there is no noise or feeling of roughness, there should not be an issue.

[jonbuoy]

The reluctance to turn is probably due to the oil seal - if its a newish seal it will drag a little more than a 10 year old seal - same with new shielded wheel bearings.  If it ain't broke.....

[bender01]

Maybe it hasnt broken in yet? The previous owner put 400 miles on it in 5 years. Ive only put 800 on it since I took over this spring getting it back on the road.. That sounds More positive. Thanks

[bender01]

Ok so I got the sprocket cover off and tapped the mainshaft with a hammer lightly and the sprocket. Removed sprocket and retightened . Put the bike in nuetral and the spinning has reduced its speed by 75% at least. It also has stopped making a noise at speed that was very worrisome.  The chain is and was aligned I thought but maybe it was slightly off. It now spins in nuetral with the engine off much easier and longer than before. I cant explain how or why but Im very happy. Hope this helps someone else.