The mainshaft supporting the clutch passes thru sleeve bushings within the mainshaft 4th gear, which is in turn supported by the transmission case output bearing.
Assuming all else is correct, the play detected of the clutch is likely the mainshaft clearances at the sleeve bushings amplified at the outer diameter of the clutch assembly.
As mentioned earlier, the chain wheel will rock on its roller bearings as it rides on the clutch center. But the clutch assembly and mainshaft can be flexed within the clearance of 4th gear sleeve bushing, which if worn can begin to feel excessive....low transmission oil level will really affect the life of the sleeve gear bushings.
email (option): teladelujo@ msn.com
Wow!
did someone use grease as a lube in that box? Doesn't look good. What's teh story there?
Over the decades, my WM must have suffered several episodes of operation with low gearbox oil due to the inevitable loss of lube past the minimally-sealed transmission output bearing.
Grease in the Box
When the g/box oil level drops, the area most likely to be damaged is the point most difficult for lubrication to reach, which seems to be the 4th gear sleeve bushing.
A low oil level in the box allows the 4th gear sleeve bushings to run dry and the transmission mainshaft begins to wear against the bushings
The resulting brass fines from the bushing wear then further plug the mainshaft oil channels that should allow oil to pass oil through, which futher restricts lubrication, and the catastrophic "cycle" continues.
As my box was worn and the oil leakage was excessive, I decided to try a grease/50w mix in the box in an attempt to staunch the oil loss during a 1500 mile riding event. The use of grease in the gearbox has been a topic of discussion on the forum, so decided to give it a try....
Upon later disassembly of the box, it became clear that the grease/oil mix did not effectively reach the depths of the BSA's 4th gear sleeve bushing once the bushing wear process had begun.
For all other areas of the box, the grease mix seemed to lubricate just fine, but for a grease mix to work its way along the considerable length of the sleeve bushings in sufficient quantity to provide proper lubrication is "a bridge too far"....That is at least what I have found.
I easily resolved the transmission leakage problem by installing a sealed bearing.
email (option): teladelujo@ msn.com
Apologies for further hijacking your thread but John I'm curious to know did you note any lack of lubrication in the oil way of the lay shaft to lubricate the first and second gears?
During inspection of this particular box, I found no damage or excessive wear on any of the transmission parts other than on the 4th gear sleeve bushings.
There was enough fluidity of the mix to reach all areas of the box. The lube mix seemed to work well enough to protect the bearing surfaces on the other components when present in quantity and able to be thoroughly whipped about by the action of the spinning gears.
Please note: This lubrication experiment was performed during a hot summer and with sustained high engine /gearbox operating temps. I don't think that the grease/oil mix would work nearly as well in cold winter weather.
My bottom line: Stick with the factory oil recommendation and keep the oil level topped up.
email (option): teladelujo@ msn.com