Gear Change Push Rod failure

Stephen_Spencer

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Hey guys,

Went for a long blast with the boys on Sunday last and was about 100Km from home when the gear change push rod (oddly shaped gear change rod) failed. The threaded section at the front of the rod sheared, adjacent to the first thread.

Looks like there was a manufacturing fault on the item,with a crack visible through the cross section of the threaded portion, with the new fracture portion looking distinctly different to the area of the cracked portion. If that makes sense!

Just letting you guys know that this can happen - worth keeping an eye on.

Regards,

Steve
Sunshine Coast
 
I've seen another owner report the same problem, I think it was on the FB 961 site.
 
Hey guys,

Went for a long blast with the boys on Sunday last and was about 100Km from home when the gear change push rod (oddly shaped gear change rod) failed. The threaded section at the front of the rod sheared, adjacent to the first thread.

Looks like there was a manufacturing fault on the item,with a crack visible through the cross section of the threaded portion, with the new fracture portion looking distinctly different to the area of the cracked portion. If that makes sense!

Just letting you guys know that this can happen - worth keeping an eye on.

Regards,

Steve
Sunshine Coast
Thanks for the 'heads up' I'll give mine a 'mark1 eyeball' next time I'm in the garage.
 
Hey guys,

Looking to add a picture to this thread of a faulty replacement part for the broken gear change push rod. When I select the picture icon I get a URL option only.

Is there another method of attaching an image.

Thanks.

Steve
 
Gear Change Push Rod failure

Hey guys,

See above an image of the failed gear change link bar and the replacement item. The change in configuration, or faulty manufacture render the new item unusable. The profile of the original item is such that it has sufficient clearance to enable a full range of movement in relation to the left hand engine casing when selecting first gear. At both extremes of adjustment, the new item fouls the underside forward face of the engine casing before sufficient rearward movement is achieved to rotate the gear selector to engage first gear.

My dealer is on the case with Norton and is also comparing the item with those fitted to the ten or so Mk 2, just shipped to Oz. I’ll keep you informed.

Thanks for the posting tip EnglishRugby’sBetter!

Regards.

Steve
Sunshine Coast
 
Strange that Norton would get that wrong.
Could it be that the Commando and Dominator gear shift link bars are different?
Might you have been given a Dominator unit?
 
Hi BritTwit,

Not sure mate. I’ll find out very shortly and let you guys know.

Regards,

Steve
 
And so the waiting for parts begins. Did it really take 5 weeks since the original post to get your part? Seems as things improve, the more they stay the same. Sorry for your troubles.
 
Hi Briffan,

The new part arrived pretty quickly - it took me a while to find time to fit and test it. Going to order a carbon fibre chain guard and we’ll see how long that takes.

Maybe worth a discussion thread to chart timelines for spare parts.

Regards.

Steve
 
I checked the new gear change link bar against two Mk1’s and a Mark 2 at my dealer. Made no real sense. The Mk 2 item was the same shape as the replacement item that could not be adjusted to work on my bike. One of the Mk 1’s had the same profile and the other was the same shape as my original failed component. Go figure!

My guess is that there are two different shaped items; Depending on which item is fitted by Norton dictates where on the splined gear change shaft the gear selector is positioned. With the longer less acutely angles bar fitted necessitates the gear selector being further rotated to the front of the bike, if that makes sense.

Anyway I was duly given the same pattern item off of the Mk 1 bike on the shop floor. It fitted directly to my bike and I am back on the road. I guess with hand made bikes te quality control may not quite be there.

The good news for us Aussie riders is that Brisbane Motorcycles now seem to be fully up and running. Spares are coming through and my bike is booked in for the crank case breather and oil in air box fix.

Regards.

Steve
Sunshine Coast
 
Yes good news for us aussies.
Sent my Ecu for remap. Had it back within the week.
All good so far.
 
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