Topic: Honda Twins site - Nova Gearbox problems

[lordmoonpie]

Does anyone know where the Honda Twins Forum has gone to - I can no longer find the link to it?!!?

I have a problem with my Nova 6-speed close ratio gearbox selecting 5th and 6th so want to post something to see if there has been any similar experience. It's a fairly uncommon upgrade I think so wanted to hit the twins site first...

Any ideas on what the right URL should be? Happy New Year! 

[unkle fester]

http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/

[bill440cars]

           lordmoonpie, I sent you a PM.


                            Have a good one, Bill

[bill440cars]

       lordmoonpie, have you contacted these folks to see if they have any input?

              http://www.novaracing.co.uk/honda-cb350.htm


        I had forgotten about that for a bit and found this place.

         by the way, just how much is 1200 lbs (and what is Vat & Carriage?) Pretty pricey I'm sure.

[malcolmgb]

Hi Bill, VAT is value added tax, sort of like your State Tax only more, currently 15%, but exports would be tax free I believe, you may have to pay import duty though. Carriage is course Shipping  .

[bill440cars]

Hi Bill, VAT is value added tax, sort of like your State Tax only more, currently 15%, but exports would be tax free I believe, you may have to pay import duty though. Carriage is course Shipping  .

          Hey Malcolm, thanks for the explanation of that. Not having ever dealt with those terms, I had no clue on the "VAT" and an idea about "Carriage".


                                Take care Malcom,  Bill  

[bill440cars]

       lordmoonpie, You need to be a bit more specific about this. Like, Did you just get this trans and have been having problems from the start or Have you been running it and then it started doing this?


                           Sent you another PM.


                             Take care, Bill

[lordmoonpie]

       lordmoonpie, You need to be a bit more specific about this. Like, Did you just get this trans and have been having problems from the start or Have you been running it and then it started doing this?


                           Sent you another PM.


                             Take care, Bill

Bill,

Thanks for your help - I'm chasing down some of those leads. Basically I've had the gearbox 2 years now and this is the time I've spent trying to get the blasted thing working. I have spoken to Nova but they have not been terribly helpful basically saying that they make a standard product and any fitting issues are down to variances in the engines they are installed in. I've now missed two seasons of racing this bike and as you have seen, the cost of this transmission is around an equivalent of $2000 USD so I'm keen that it actually works!!

The problems I have are as follows:

1. When I install the gearbox and shift drum, I can turn the drum by hand to select all six gears. I then bolt the crankcase up and add the new Nova supplied selector cage and neutral stopper mechanism and reinstall the standard shift fork to engage with the shift drum mechanism. If I then attach the foot lever, it will only allow me to select neutral, 2,3,4 not 1st 5th or 6th gear. I've done everything as per Nova instructions several times now but it still won't select. I've also attacehd the back wheel/chain to allow me to roll the gearbox around while shifting and still no joy. The shift arm just seems to run out of leverage.
2. I then bolt on the Nova dry clutch. As soon as the backing plate is in place the gearbox locks solid. Nova said this was a clearance issue (!) and supplied me with a 2mm aluminium gasket. It now doesn't lock the gearbox but of course the clutch drum is 2mm further in than it should be and the rivets on the back of it score the backing plate, plus the oil pump is now very loose as that elies on exact clearance and has been moved 2mm out which makes me very nervous indeed.

Oh, the dry clutch adds another packet of meny on to this so these two parts I'm into about $4000 USD and neither work, not happy...

[malcolmgb]

Is this for the 350 or 450?

[bill440cars]

      I can sure understand your being upset! Hopefully Ellis or that other fellow that you told me about, can help to get things right. I'm hoping to hear about you and that bike going and doing some racing, pretty soon. Let us know how it turns out, okay?


                               Take care, Bill

[lordmoonpie]

Is this for the 350 or 450?

Malcolm - it's for the CB450.

Bill, many thanks - I'll let you know how I get on. Have a possible drop for Sunday to take it to the guy who has built 6 of these so it won't be a quick fix but here's hoping it's quick enough to get me running by April and the season start...I'll keep you posted.

[bill440cars]

Is this for the 350 or 450?

Malcolm - it's for the CB450.

Bill, many thanks - I'll let you know how I get on. Have a possible drop for Sunday to take it to the guy who has built 6 of these so it won't be a quick fix but here's hoping it's quick enough to get me running by April and the season start...I'll keep you posted.

          Simon, I'm just glad that I could be of some assistance. Looking forward to some details and photos of that 450 too.

[malcolmgb]

Is this for the 350 or 450?

Malcolm - it's for the CB450.

Bill, many thanks - I'll let you know how I get on. Have a possible drop for Sunday to take it to the guy who has built 6 of these so it won't be a quick fix but here's hoping it's quick enough to get me running by April and the season start...I'll keep you posted.

hi Simon, I was going to ask if it was for Classic Racing, a walk around the paddock can usually find someone who can help, but you will already have tried that. I used to know John Davies, I think you will know who I mean, if I can catch up with him again when I return to the UK I can ask if he uses that box. Perhaps you could let us know any meetings you will be at this year maybe our paths will cross.

[lordmoonpie]

hi Simon, I was going to ask if it was for Classic Racing, a walk around the paddock can usually find someone who can help, but you will already have tried that. I used to know John Davies, I think you will know who I mean, if I can catch up with him again when I return to the UK I can ask if he uses that box. Perhaps you could let us know any meetings you will be at this year maybe our paths will cross.

Hi Malcolm,

yes I know John very well, spent many a year spannering for a stablemate of his in the Manx GP (Dean Martin) and I still see him at the Stafford shows etc. I hope to be back racing this year but after 2 years off I'm contemplating moving down a class to a 250 Ducati or just perhaps doing the Aintree season on the Bomber to get back into things again (it's close to me so less aggro). What meetings do you go to?

[malcolmgb]

I try to get to a few meetings at Donington & Mallory, both local to me, I also go to the Stafford Shows.
I knew John from my days working for Dave Orton at Appleby Glade.

[lordmoonpie]

So - all set to take the enigne in to D&M Engineering in Newark (UK) this weekend and then Nova pop up and say they'll take a look at it. I said what I was up to and did they want to see it first.....so far no response so Plan A is on the cards. More later....and a resolution I hope!

[Sam Green Racing]

Simon, let me know when and where you are out, might be able to get to a few of the local meets if you need a lift, be glad to help after all you have done for me.

Sam.

[lordmoonpie]

Simon, let me know when and where you are out, might be able to get to a few of the local meets if you need a lift, be glad to help after all you have done for me.

Sam.

Sam, that's really great of you to offer - if I ever get the darn thing sorted in time to run this season I'll let you know, thanks a bunch mate. 

[bill440cars]

       Hey Simon, when you get a chance, could you either post some photos of your bike or email me some? Sure like to see what you've got going there. Over on the "twins site" that one didn't take.
Here's hoping things get sorted out soon, so you can put THAT one out on the track, where she belongs.


                             Take care, Bill

[lordmoonpie]

       Hey Simon, when you get a chance, could you either post some photos of your bike or email me some? Sure like to see what you've got going there.

You mean like these Bill.....? 

[lordmoonpie]

and these...?! 

[bill440cars]

       Hey Simon, when you get a chance, could you either post some photos of your bike or email me some? Sure like to see what you've got going there.

You mean like these Bill.....? 

       OH MAN!!!!!!! I think I'm in SEVENTH Heaven!!   (after seeing those 1st shots)

        And EIGHTEENTH,After seeing those other 2 shots!!!


                      Thanks for that Simon! I appreciate those shots of your bike.

     

[scunny]

cheers for that. on a side note............interesting rear shock angle. they are all prob like that and I've only just noticed

[lordmoonpie]

cheers for that. on a side note............interesting rear shock angle. they are all prob like that and I've only just noticed

Well spotted Scunny - they are not standard position. They're mounted about 2 inches further forward on the swingarm to jack up the back end a bit and give the tyre clearance under the back of the seat when my great fat derriere is on it! well thats' how it works - the modified swingarm mount points came with the bike when I bought all the parts - seemed like a good idea to use them...

[lordmoonpie]

       OH MAN!!!!!!! I think I'm in SEVENTH Heaven!!   (after seeing those 1st shots)

        And EIGHTEENTH,After seeing those other 2 shots!!!


                      Thanks for that Simon! I appreciate those shots of your bike.

     

Thanks Bill - she is a cutie isn't she 

Mind you - if you like this, wait until you see the CR750 when she's finished, hopefully in a matter of a few months!