The trans was recondition by another MC shop 20 years ago and the bike was not used until recently. When put into first on the wheels the bike jams into first gear and just won't shift. If you start is second all is fine throughout the rest of the gears. If on the center stand the trans shifts fine throughout the gears including first. Checked the primary chain, main chain and have the box completely apart twice now and can find nothing wrong. New bushes, bearings and checked the main and lay shaft...they are straight. The only thing is the inside cover appears to be from a N15 as it has a vin # stamped onto it that the Commando did not. Inner cover fits easily but maybe this is cause enough of an alignment issue when the box is under load. Have had three local Norton guys helping and still no joy ! Robin
Frustrated with Commando trans
- Thread starter rmullett
- Start date
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- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 18,978
Sounds like might be the pawl spring adjustment of some issue with the thin 1st gear cog. As to the cover issues if not help here I'd go down list of world wide vendors and ask them if they know. Might be pleased with what has come across their paths over the decades to know what works and what don't. List can be found in the photo tech subject at top of forum list. Also run by your trany symptoms for more suggestions. I assume shafts were straight enough too.
Hang in there was the best advice I ever got!!!
I had this problem too on a couple of occasions.
Rip off the outer and inner cover. On the inner side of the inner cover check the pawl spring/kickstart ratchet as it may not be seated properly. Second, ensure there is adequate play ie it is not over-shimmed. They generally use rear ISo shims so may be that they are hard to see/notice.
If this is all fine, just check that the lay shaft bearing hasn't had a shim fitted (on the lay shaft that mates with the inner bearing race). Some idiot did that on mine.
Once sorted, nip up the inner cover, drop it off the stand and check the gears are selecting, all of em.
If not or it is still binding, grab the kickstart pawl and check the end float. Should be abot 10-20thou or in the old measurement- a flyshit.
If that's all fine but still no joy, grab a steel pole it large forge hammer, walk outside and find something to hit.
Keep hitting
One for the road- yes you can never hit too much!
Ok walk back inside and pull it all apart again.
Also check primary chain tension and rear chain tension.
Good luck
I had this problem too on a couple of occasions.
Rip off the outer and inner cover. On the inner side of the inner cover check the pawl spring/kickstart ratchet as it may not be seated properly. Second, ensure there is adequate play ie it is not over-shimmed. They generally use rear ISo shims so may be that they are hard to see/notice.
If this is all fine, just check that the lay shaft bearing hasn't had a shim fitted (on the lay shaft that mates with the inner bearing race). Some idiot did that on mine.
Once sorted, nip up the inner cover, drop it off the stand and check the gears are selecting, all of em.
If not or it is still binding, grab the kickstart pawl and check the end float. Should be abot 10-20thou or in the old measurement- a flyshit.
If that's all fine but still no joy, grab a steel pole it large forge hammer, walk outside and find something to hit.
Keep hitting
One for the road- yes you can never hit too much!
Ok walk back inside and pull it all apart again.
Also check primary chain tension and rear chain tension.
Good luck
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 18,978
I'd had some shifting issues when the TS main shaft nut got loose. Btw, I had bad times trying to follow manual pawl-spring distance till I gave up and just got the 2 legs parallel in the pawl swing zone, something with double the factory gap but worked a charm for thoughtless easy up/dn snicks, very often w/o any clutch just automatic throttle and rpm matching and slight lever pressure touch. The soft fold tab washer can chew down to loose clutch adjustment also, toss it for bevelle or just harden flat washer like I use last decade holding tight.
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