- Joined
- Jan 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,607
I took Ed out for a ride last night. One of my local Triumph dealers (we have 2 in the area) had a little 'meet and greet' in Delray Beach at a sports bar. Nice turnout, shared some stories and looked at each other's bikes. Of course, the Norton was the oldest bike there, the rest being Hinckley Triumphs and a newish Moto Guzzi. One of the guys there has a collection of CB750s - '69-'76, and another told about his youth in South Africa, where he ran a CB750 and his mate ran a red Commando Fastback. The guy with all the CBs runs an '02 Trophy, which he bought in Texas, new, in 2007 (dealer had it on his floor for 5 years!)
On the way home, I had about 15 miles on the Interstate. Everything was running great, cruising at about 80, when all of a sudden - SNAP! - the engine was no longer connected to the rear wheel. I coasted over to the side, shut the bike off, and put it on the centerstand. Chain was still there, no holes in the gear box, gearbox would shift through the gears as I spun the rear wheel, but offered no real resistance. Either my main shaft broke or the primary chain broke.
I figured the primary was probably not the culprit, as the alternator was running fine before I shut down.
I called my youngest (19), and he showed up a half hour later with a friend and the friend's dad. By this time I had pushed the bike off the highway and into a parking garage, where we could use the ramp to lower the effective height of the tailgate. The four of us lifted Ed into the bed and headed home.
This morning I went out into the garage and started on the bike. I was fully expecting to find a sheared mainshaft, but got a more pleasant surprise - when I opened up the primary, there was the chain, neatly coiled up between the sprockets. It had pulled on the alternator wire, but did not fray or break it. All the plates on one link set had sheared at the pin center. Aside from some scratches on the inner primary, I can see no further damage.
If all goes well, he'll be up and running this afternoon. I just happen to be passing by Wes' shop later on this morning. He should have a chain in stock.
I'd rather be lucky than good any day!
On the way home, I had about 15 miles on the Interstate. Everything was running great, cruising at about 80, when all of a sudden - SNAP! - the engine was no longer connected to the rear wheel. I coasted over to the side, shut the bike off, and put it on the centerstand. Chain was still there, no holes in the gear box, gearbox would shift through the gears as I spun the rear wheel, but offered no real resistance. Either my main shaft broke or the primary chain broke.
I figured the primary was probably not the culprit, as the alternator was running fine before I shut down.
I called my youngest (19), and he showed up a half hour later with a friend and the friend's dad. By this time I had pushed the bike off the highway and into a parking garage, where we could use the ramp to lower the effective height of the tailgate. The four of us lifted Ed into the bed and headed home.
This morning I went out into the garage and started on the bike. I was fully expecting to find a sheared mainshaft, but got a more pleasant surprise - when I opened up the primary, there was the chain, neatly coiled up between the sprockets. It had pulled on the alternator wire, but did not fray or break it. All the plates on one link set had sheared at the pin center. Aside from some scratches on the inner primary, I can see no further damage.
If all goes well, he'll be up and running this afternoon. I just happen to be passing by Wes' shop later on this morning. He should have a chain in stock.
I'd rather be lucky than good any day!
