Hi all
Has anyone attempted replacing the gearbox? How hard, how long did it take? Tempted to take it to a professional mechanic but don't want to get mugged off. My bike slips out of gear at anything over about 5k rpm and I have sourced a replacement.
Replacing the gearbox
Re: Replacing the gearbox
*Eeeek* Would mean splitting the crankcases... while you're in elbow deep a good chance for a complete engine rebuild = £££££
or buy another engine and break your bunken one to offset the cost....
or buy another engine and break your bunken one to offset the cost....
It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts
Re: Replacing the gearbox
If you was doing it yourself it may be worthwhile but paying a mechanic to do it will cost you a fortune. You would be better off looking for a 2nd hand engine. 
Or buy another VTR with a good engine, take the engine out and break the rest of the bike to reclaim some funds.
As wicky said it involves splitting the crankcases, so engine out, remove many parts, split engine in half, replace gearbox (shift forks being the likely culprit), replace bearings while in there, new head gaskets. Mucho big job.
Have you tried adjusting the position of the gear lever to see if you can improve things. Turn it one spline clockwise which will give you a shorter shift.
(:-})
Or buy another VTR with a good engine, take the engine out and break the rest of the bike to reclaim some funds.As wicky said it involves splitting the crankcases, so engine out, remove many parts, split engine in half, replace gearbox (shift forks being the likely culprit), replace bearings while in there, new head gaskets. Mucho big job.
Have you tried adjusting the position of the gear lever to see if you can improve things. Turn it one spline clockwise which will give you a shorter shift.
(:-})
==============================Enter the Darkside
Re: Replacing the gearbox
Oh dear
Well thanks for your help guys, looks like the VTR is kaput then - haven't got the time or skills to do it myself and sounds uneconomical to send to a garage.
Well thanks for your help guys, looks like the VTR is kaput then - haven't got the time or skills to do it myself and sounds uneconomical to send to a garage.
Re: Replacing the gearbox
Engine swap is fairly easy, so getting a 2nd hand one might be the best solution if the rest of the bike is clean and you want to keep it.
.
.
AMcQ
Re: Replacing the gearbox
Not too bad.
It's the same as swapping the engine but then stripping the old one, splitting the cases and dropping the new gear cluster in.
You won't have to remove the crank or heads, and won't need to replace the big ends or main bearing shells.
You can even leave the cam chains and tensioners in!
And if you're feeling adventurous....
(I have never tried this yet, but I can't see how it couldn't be done....)
How about leaving the upper case half attached to the frame, and just undoing the bottom section?
You have to be able to undo bolts from both above and below, take of the side cases, of course, but broadly it should be possible.
Although I use an engine stand, (less than £50 from Machine Mart), which allows me to flip the engine upside down easily and without the possibility of damage, it does mean removing the main engine bolts. These are often the biggest problem with an engine removal.
However leaving the engine in the frame makes it more unwieldy, heavier and it's hard to work on both top and bottom without taking large sections off- the rear wheel/swingarm/shock section would need to come off in either case- but the front forks and wheel can be left on if the engine's being removed, but would have to come off otherwise.
But I can't see an obvious reason why it shouldn't be done.
But getting it done by a dealer will be too expensive, on hourly rate alone.
It's the same as swapping the engine but then stripping the old one, splitting the cases and dropping the new gear cluster in.
You won't have to remove the crank or heads, and won't need to replace the big ends or main bearing shells.
You can even leave the cam chains and tensioners in!
And if you're feeling adventurous....
(I have never tried this yet, but I can't see how it couldn't be done....)
How about leaving the upper case half attached to the frame, and just undoing the bottom section?
You have to be able to undo bolts from both above and below, take of the side cases, of course, but broadly it should be possible.
Although I use an engine stand, (less than £50 from Machine Mart), which allows me to flip the engine upside down easily and without the possibility of damage, it does mean removing the main engine bolts. These are often the biggest problem with an engine removal.
However leaving the engine in the frame makes it more unwieldy, heavier and it's hard to work on both top and bottom without taking large sections off- the rear wheel/swingarm/shock section would need to come off in either case- but the front forks and wheel can be left on if the engine's being removed, but would have to come off otherwise.
But I can't see an obvious reason why it shouldn't be done.
But getting it done by a dealer will be too expensive, on hourly rate alone.
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
Re: Replacing the gearbox
What oil are you using and when was the last time is was changed? I'm wondering whether a thicker oil may help. An engine swap is easy, so you may get lucky and be able to find a cheap bike that has a reasonably low mileage engine in it but not so good bodywork or a CCT failure. Some sellers will sell their VTR on for silly money juts because of a CCT failure. All you would have to do is swap the heads and you have an engine ready to put in. You would get some funds back from selling all the other parts. What mileage has your Storm done?
(:-})
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==============================Enter the Darkside