Gearbox

Neil NICOLAO · May 24, 2011

I am thinking of buying a spare gearbox for my 72 Commando for @ $500 (Aus), I plan to overhaul it. Is this a fair price? Also there is no serial number stamped on the box, why would this be?

cheers, Neil

BrianK · May 24, 2011

They're regularly on eBay for US$300-ish. That's what I paid for mine.

No idea why it wouldn't have a serial number! But it doesn't sound right.

pete.v · May 24, 2011

Neil NICOLAO said:
I am thinking of buying a spare gearbox for my 72 Commando for @ $500 (Aus), I plan to overhaul it. Is this a fair price? Also there is no serial number stamped on the box, why would this be?

cheers, Neil

They sell cases and shells. Perhaps it has been replaced. Get yer stamps out and match it up, I won't tell.

Hobot · May 24, 2011

Peel or rather me broke out DS face of AMC gearbox and shopped the world around to find $500 the going price for just a shell nothing inside, so used Atlas shell for $250. If ya find complete tranny for under $600 then its a fair deal.
But I've sold off stuff under priced just to get it to a good home and remove shop clutter, so keep looking you may stumble on a gooder deal.

ML · May 24, 2011

Neil NICOLAO said:
I am thinking of buying a spare gearbox for my 72 Commando for @ $500 (Aus), I plan to overhaul it. Is this a fair price? Also there is no serial number stamped on the box, why would this be? cheers, Neil

Its possibly a non-Commando box, i.e. a generic AMC unit also fitted to numerous Matchless and AJS models from 1956 to 1966. If it is non-Commando it can do the job alright, but it will be neccesary to strip it and check the cogs, bearings and bushes and replace the layshaft ball bearing with a roller. I can't remember if the mainshaft length was different between the earlier cluches and the Commando diaphragm, but worth investigating.

Mick

BrianK · May 24, 2011

Hell, if you're opening it to pre-Commando boxes, there's one or two on eBay now for US$200-ish...

Lay down, lay down...lay it all down....

Don Tovey · May 30, 2011

Hi,
If its a commando box with the correct shaft on it then the lack of number stamped on it could mean its off a stolen bike.
It could have been filled off by the seller or a previos owner.
Maybe i'm wrong about it being stolen but bike thieves should by hung by the nuts in my opinion.
Seeing as one of my friends had his stolen a few weeks ago.
Even though the police saw 3 people riding on they did not pursue it as they did not have a qualified pursuit driver with them.
Police & Chocolate piston seem to go together quite well after hearing this.
Cheers

gtsun · May 30, 2011

"A Qualifide persuit person"??? I thought that's what a cop is? In some cities over here they would have shot the guy on site, of course they would justify it by saying the open end 1/4" wrench they found in his back pocket was a gun & they were in fear for thier lives. All six of them who would have put about 48 bullets into him. Then again, if I saw someone stealing one of my bikes I'de shoot first too!

Don Tovey · May 31, 2011

Re: Gearbox & Police Chases

We seem to be too concerned in this country about injuring villans.
I admit when police pursuits end in crashes some innocent people do get injured but this was at 1am in the early hours with not many people about.
Its a Health & Safety matter in this country. You cant do FA in case someone gets injured. Even getting out of bed causes Health & safety issues here in UK.
I had better stop moaning I could go on for ages complainging about this country & the stupid rules.
Off on a Norton ride out on Sunday with the lads. Looking forward to it. Plenty of throttle & good bends.
Cheers Don

lynxnsu · May 31, 2011

ML said:
Neil NICOLAO said:

I am thinking of buying a spare gearbox for my 72 Commando for @ $500 (Aus), I plan to overhaul it. Is this a fair price? Also there is no serial number stamped on the box, why would this be? cheers, Neil

Click to expand...

Its possibly a non-Commando box, i.e. a generic AMC unit also fitted to numerous Matchless and AJS models from 1956 to 1966. If it is non-Commando it can do the job alright, but it will be neccesary to strip it and check the cogs, bearings and bushes and replace the layshaft ball bearing with a roller. I can't remember if the mainshaft length was different between the earlier cluches and the Commando diaphragm, but worth investigating.

Mick

AJS and Mathless gearboxes have narrower and in different places mounting lugs
also the kickstart stop in the inner cases are different
only the cluster minus mainshaft can be used ,but mainshell is junk for us

gjr · May 31, 2011

My guess is that the layshaft bearing blew up and took out the original case way back when. The owner at the time bought a replacement shell and installed it. Having said that, making sure that it is not stolen would be good. If the serial number were filed off the finish on the top of the case (i.e. file marks) would not match the cast finish on the rest of it.

Greg

BrianK · Jun 10, 2011

BrianK said:
They're regularly on eBay for US$300-ish. That's what I paid for mine.

No idea why it wouldn't have a serial number! But it doesn't sound right.

One on eBay right now, just ran across it. Note - not affiliated, and know nothing about the item or the seller.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Transmis ... 1c1c51ed1f

Foxy · Jun 11, 2011

Gday Neil, I bought a box of ebay for about $600, no casing numbers either. It came out of a Norton as the small cover was an after market Norton inscribed item. It had a failed layshaft bearing inside and a chewed up 2 nd gear pair other than that, rebuildable. A real pig in the bag if you cant see what you're buying. Anyway all is good now with all the bits lined up to put back together, some day soon I hope!
Foxy

Gearbox

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