74 850 Trans Cover removal

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850bruno

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May 24, 2012
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I have a 74 850 which I purchased new in '74. The shifter sticks and will not return to the center position to allow the next shift. Compounding the sticking is my inability to remove the transmission cover. Does anyone have a trick to remove the transmission cover and/or a fix for the sticking shifter. I has not been removed since 1974. The bike has been in the house and not ridden since 1995 when this problem surfaced but I have had no trouble removing any other parts. Any tips would be greatly appreciated......Thanks......Jerry
 
Something softer than the alloy and a hammer or a leather mallet.

There's nothing holding it on except the gasket and time. Just needs a jolt to free it up so you can pull it away. Someone else may have a trick though.
 
Thanks for the reply. I have been trying a pine 2X4 with a hammer with no luck. I hesitate to hit it harder and I have not tried to pry it loose......Maybe I'll try a little penetrating oil........Thanks.....Jerry
 
A good leverage point is where the clutch cable goes into the outer case. Use a long narrow piece of wood and tap the wood against the case with a hammer to jar the case loose.
 
sounds like an insult, but you sure you have removed every single one of the retaining screws/bolts?

I had this same problem about 15 years ago, the gasket was sticking so much I could not remove the cover

I ended up taking a razor blade and carefully putting in between the outer and inner covers and sliding it

all the way around as it cut the gasket and freed it up, took time and finicky but it worked and got it off
 
Just in case the other tricks dont work , there is a tool available from the automotive tool trucks( snap on, Mac, Matco etc), built as a wedge approx 4 inches long made to wedge in transmission fluid pans,, transaxle halves, valve covers to heads, head to block seams and allow to be knocked on in order to separate said items . We use them in the shop, and while I dont love them (for obvious reasons) , they manage to separate the parts in question with little or no damage. The culprit for the lack of shifter return may be one or both of the springs in the selector. Also, since you are taking the outer cover off, it might be a great idea to go a little further, and remove the inner cover also and visit the layshaft bearing , for there lies potential for unpleasant events if it were to fail. Much info on that subject is available on this forum, and IMHO, the best possible thing to know for sure on an old Commando. Cheers
 
I appreciate the mention of all the screws and indeed it would not be the first time I've suffered from overlooking a fastener of some sort, but this time I'm pretty sure I've remove all the screws.......I will check again for sure.
I hesitate to use a wedge at this point in time but maybe as a last resort, I'll check into it. The razor blade sounds a bit more forgiving and worth a go at least. As far as the inner cover and the layshaft bearing is concerned I think an evening prayer that it's OK best suits my skill level.......Thanks for the tips.......Jerry
 
It may be that someone has put some tight goop on the gasket and it may be hard to separate, I think the razor is a good idea. Maybe even the blades for a box cutter, they are pretty sharp, thin and relatively strong compared to a single edge razor blade.

Dave
69S
 
I would suggest going to the Old Brits site on gearboxes.They have a step by step procedure that shows you what to do.
It was a great help to me.
Mike
 
I have had succes with using a rubber mallet and glancing blows. Petience and lots of glancing blows. Clean the surface you are glancing to remove oil and dirt. Once you have broken it loose then it is a matter of wiggling it off - no more rubber mallet.
 
Place a pry tool like a wide blade screwdriver through the inspection hole between the cover and the clutch operating lever body where the cable attaches. Push against the cover using the body as your wedge. I would also remove the shift lever that way the tiny o-ring on the ratchet plate shaft will let the shaft slide out of the cover. The ratchet plate will surely stay stuck in the bush from oil suction offering some resistence too. You only need to crack the seal on the cover before you can pry it the rest of the way off.
I just did this procedure just hours ago......Can't you smell the gear lube ?


Tim_S
 
I hit mine with a rawhide mallet, striking down from above and pulling hard with my finger inside the inspection cover and alternating to the kickstart lever, which can stay on. I alternate the blows to change the direction to try to make the cover shift slightly in another direction. Takes a bit of patience, but that's how mine gets free. I've never had good luck with prying and in the past have damaged things. The hardest thing I would hit the case with is a hide mallet.
 
Thanks for the tips, I feel confident that I will be able to remove the cover using these tips. However, another issue has surfaced with the forks on a 75 MKIII. There appears to be no compression dampening......It seems that if it's not one thing, it's another. Oh well, I generate another post for this one.
Thanks again for the help.....Jerry
 
850bruno said:
Thanks for the tips, I feel confident that I will be able to remove the cover using these tips. However, another issue has surfaced with the forks on a 75 MKIII. There appears to be no compression dampening......It seems that if it's not one thing, it's another. Oh well, I generate another post for this one.
Thanks again for the help.....Jerry
Click to expand...

Sitting for nearly 20 years. You are just getting started. :D

I know you are not reporting any electrical issues but job one for me is to disco every connection and clean with a brass brush and some cleaner. Replace connectors if needed. It will save you from chasing gremlins later.

Good Luck. It is such a rewarding achievement when you are done.
 
Thanks.....The electrics look very good and have always been well maintained. Having used TVRs as my primary vehicle for 25 years (202k miles on the 2500M and 150k on the 280I) I've become pretty good at shooting & preventing electrical problems.....verify all mechanical connections and make sure it has a good ground and the dark side of Lucas diminishes significantly (at least that has been my experiance).......Jerry
 
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