Transmission Bearings

[CanukNortonNut]

I use a rare earth magnet on my drain plug which I modified, to make sure any metal bits get captured. (Not that there should be any, but just in case)... So open bearings for me. I also change my oil in the GB at least once a year. As I stated before this is a 100,000 miles on GB and I am just now changing the Main shaft bearings. I changed the layshaft bearing when I first purchased the bike many years ago to the NJ203E type. I believe that it had the Portuguese peril type when I first opened up the GB.

 

[maaseyracer]

Were they rubber seals or metal shields?

Rubber seals. Metal seals (ZZ) will not have the same friction issue, but will have friction issues as they restrict oil flow, and they do not seal, so you have contamination issues. Open is the way to go on these.

 

[CanukNortonNut]

Rubber seals. Metal seals (ZZ) will not have the same friction issue, but will have friction issues as they restrict oil flow, and they do not seal, so you have contamination issues. Open is the way to go on these.

I agree. The 04.0132 oil seal (Sleeve gear Bearing) is what seals the oil from getting out including the gaskets between the three sections of the GB. But what most often is neglected is the Gear Box Sprocket Spacer 04.0131. With time the spacer although very hard gets a groove from revolving due to road grime and this in turn acts like a grinding paste and will cause a groove on this spacer. You change the oil seal and neglect to change the spacer if there is a groove present and you have possible leaks.

Andover Norton - OIL SEAL - SLEEVE GEAR BEARING - 04.0132

OIL SEAL - SLEEVE GEAR BEARING

andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton - GEARBOX SPROCKET SPACER - 04.0131

GEARBOX SPROCKET SPACER

andover-norton.co.uk

my Nickle's worth 4U.

 

[maaseyracer]

I agree. The 04.0132 oil seal (Sleeve gear Bearing) is what seals the oil from getting out including the gaskets between the three sections of the GB. But what most often is neglected is the Gear Box Sprocket Spacer 04.0131. With time the spacer although very hard gets a groove from revolving due to road grime and this in turn acts like a grinding paste and will cause a groove on this spacer. You change the oil seal and neglect to change the spacer if there is a groove present and you have possible leaks.

Andover Norton - OIL SEAL - SLEEVE GEAR BEARING - 04.0132

OIL SEAL - SLEEVE GEAR BEARING

andover-norton.co.uk

Andover Norton - GEARBOX SPROCKET SPACER - 04.0131

GEARBOX SPROCKET SPACER

andover-norton.co.uk

my Nickle's worth 4U.

To make this part work I might need a sprocket spacer with a tighter tolerance fit, or I am thinking about hunting down a thin 1.25" ID o-ring to go between the spacer and the sprocket.

 

[maaseyracer]

I was able to make the stock spacer work by cutting a recess into it. I set the end play to about 0.005" not sure if that is too much or too little. With the detent backed off I can shift through all the gears smoothly by hand. Things feel good, let's hope it holds up. Hopefully going back in the frame tomorrow.

Going to be a few days before the bike is back on the road after that. I need to sort out my primary chain tensioner and i want to change how my tail light is wired while I am at it. Hope to be back on it next week.

 

[Gorio]

Hello All
I read through a good deal of this and have a question, likely a novice one.
I see reference to Norton part number 040098 Sleeve gear bearing. When I researched this bearing it comes up as a LJT31.7 bearing with an outside Dia. of 2 7/16". Then here I see reference to it being a 1654 bearing which would seem to much more readily available but is noted as having a 2 1/2" OD. Are people machining out their case to suit this bearing or am I missing something? Also any leads on Quaiffe 5speed parts would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[L.A.B.]

The sleeve gear bearing is 2 1/2" OD (RLS 9 or 1654) x 1 1/4" ID however these are often 1 1/8" ID.

 

[Deckard]

Well, this took a turn. While cleaning out the transmission, and readying it for reassembly I found this questionable work hidden under a generous amount of what looks like bearing retainer or Loctite. While I fully admit when I screw things up, this one isn’t me. The parts sourcing is my fault as I sourced the parts, but had the local "expert" handle the work since I didn’t have the tooling or time when I got the bike. From the previous owners receipts, it looks like another well-known local expert worked on the bike in the ‘80s and ‘90s, so I’m not sure who to thank for this one. At the same while this is not pretty, it was inline with the other mainshaft bearing and perpendicular to the face of the case so I am still going to lean towards bearing failure. But when you see something like this the plot thickens.

My game play now is to convert this to a roller bearing.

If anyone knows the bore spacing between the layshaft and main shaft and can share that info that would be greatly appreciated.

The infamous "Raspberry", attained by a center punch dimpling to secure a bearing outer race. It's that or Loctite to secure the bearing. It's that or another trans case. Economics usually determines the remedy.

 

[Mofosheee]

The infamous "Raspberry", attained by a center punch dimpling to secure a bearing outer race. It's that or Loctite to secure the bearing. It's that or another trans case. Economics usually determines the remedy.

Mine came apart the same way..........dimples and bearing retainer compound. Not a warm and fuzzy feeling but I've had no issues with it

 

[Gorio]

The sleeve gear bearing is 2 1/2" OD (RLS 9 or 1654) x 1 1/4" ID however these are often 1 1/8" ID.

Thanks L.A.B. That should make life a little easier. Now if I can find a lay shaft 2nd gear for the 5 speed box I will really be off. Until then the 4 speed will do the job.