Quaife 4 speed mod

Chris · Jun 16, 2014

Hi

Angelsea the week end didn't start well. Knocking on pulling away. Stripped the box to find the kickstart gear had lost 2 teeth (by the drilled hole!!!)
These had milled a nice slot in the case & rounded all the edges of its mating gear. End of weekend. Plenty of beer

Anyway I spoke to a nice man who says if you use a kickstart case you must convert the inner cover as there is not enough support? On bump starting the shafts separate enough to put the gears out of mesh resulting in the above.
Anyone got a picture/ info on this?.Been told Mick Hemmings converts a lot of Quaife's into kickstart boxes?

Thanks Chris

Chris · Jun 16, 2014

HI

Anyone got a pair of 1st gears for a 4 speed Quaife box? Ref A3H101 & A3H105.
I will start the phone round of mates & suppliers (Micky Hemmings) in the vain hope that someone has a second hand pair.

Chris

pommie john · Jun 16, 2014

I have a quaife 5 speed downstairs with the mod. From memory, there is a ball race pressed into the inner cover because the Quaife layshaft is shorter than the Norton one with a kickstart.

I think I've put it all back together, but maybe I can take the outer cover off and take a snap if that would help.

I may well have a quaife four speed pair of first gears. I'll check later today.

pommie john · Jun 16, 2014

OK, I had a look downstairs.

I took the outer cover of the 5 speed quaife and this is what you can see. There's a ball race in there but I'm not sure how it's secured in there. I haven't got time to strip it any further I'm afraid, but it might give you an idea.

I have found these which I'm pretty sure are quaife four speed gears. The ar emarked A1H114 and A1H106

There's a little rust damage between a couple of the teeth. But I don't think it will be a problem.
PM if you want them.

pommie john · Jun 16, 2014

Sorry. I think A1H is the prefix for a 5 speed.

Won't fit.

Chris · Jun 17, 2014

Hi John

Thank you for the photos & advice.
You are right A1 is the prefix for 5 speed gears.
I found an earlier inner gearbox cover (ie not commando) this has a ball bearing in it.
I will phone Micky today & ask a few questions.

Thanks Chris

SteveA · Jun 18, 2014

If you did strip that box any further you will find that the layshaft is ground smaller to fit the inner of the ball race....

Which also helps to locate the layshaft laterally.......so you need a good idea how much to grind and how deep the ball race is going to sit....

But with a 4 speed in effect it is a Manx box when you have done this.....

I don't remember who modded mine for me.....but it was 39 years ago!

Chris · Jun 18, 2014

Hi John

joy of joys I have found a inner cover (not Commando) that's the same as yours

Dam Steves memory is spot on & the end of the shaft does not fit in the bearing!!!!

Still, as I cant find any gears its not yet a problem! Might mic up the shaft & see if I can get a bearing to fit, or have one ground to fit.
Going to post a new question ie mk3 gears.

thanks Chris

SteveA · Jun 18, 2014

Chris said:
Hi John

joy of joys I have found a inner cover (not Commando) that's the same as yours
Dam Steves memory is spot on & the end of the shaft does not fit in the bearing!!!!

Still, as I cant find any gears its not yet a problem! Might mic up the shaft & see if I can get a bearing to fit, or have one ground to fit.
Going to post a new question ie mk3 gears.

thanks Chris

Chris, if you dont grind the layshaft it will move in the bearing, the shoulder of the grinding locates it, even if it is an inerference fit, it will move which means it will eventually come out of the drive side bearing....

In the end of the kickstart shaft it can only move so far....

But do remember I only ever built my box once....in 'late '75....it worked...

Chris · Jun 18, 2014

Hi Steve

That makes sense. didn't think that through. Not managed to find time during the day to speak to Mick Hemmings.

Chris

pommie john · Jun 18, 2014

Do they need to be Quaife gears? Is it possible to put standard Norton?AMC gears on a Quaife shaft?

They will be different ratio, but a good 1st gear with a road ratio will get you a good start off the line.

Chris · Jun 19, 2014

Hi John

Yep found there are differences in the gears. 3 peg Quaife 4 peg standard so would have to be the same. Can get a pair made & Ellis will also grind the shaft down. Cant go there this year but do want to reuse the box as its a good one. I will be building up a road box for now.

Thanks for your help.

Chris

Quaife 4 speed mod

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