How many 'bad' layshaft bearings still out there?

I stripped my gearbox last night and 'bingo' there is one of the infamous 'bad' layshaft bearings. It's still intact, but is rough to turn.

Before I stripped the box, my mate asked why bother? It seemed that 'general opinion' was that it must have been replaced at some point in the past... they all must have... it would be fine.

So, it's a good job I checked, but 40 odd years on, it makes me wonder how many are still out there waiting to claim new unsuspecting victims!?

I think there will still be a lot that haven't been replaced. When I changed mine last year the bearing was original and by the feel of it just about to fall apart !
The one on my old mk 3 had fell apart at some point, evidenced by a weld repair on the back of the gearbox shell !
I'm glad you've done it, don't want you to use gearbox worry as an excuse not try and keep up with the Beast :mrgreen:
sam

I removed this from the Mk2a at Christmas.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ ... earing.jpg

The Fastback had a similar bearing but marked made in the UK,being a US bike it was most likely an original part.
It seems a lot of Commando's never clocked a lot of mileage,a lot of folk probably never knew and never will unless they are familiar with the internet or frequent Norton web sites.
Would anyone put a running with no apparent problems $4000 plus/minus bike in the shop for what might be a $500 transmission job to find out. ?

trident sam said:

I think there will still be a lot that haven't been replaced. When I changed mine last year the bearing was original and by the feel of it just about to fall apart !
The one on my old mk 3 had fell apart at some point, evidenced by a weld repair on the back of the gearbox shell !
I'm glad you've done it, don't want you to use gearbox worry as an excuse not try and keep up with the Beast :mrgreen:
sam

Click to expand...

My mate has a 20,000 mile unrestored MK3, hopefully my 'find' will convince him to do look at his!

"The Beast" eh?! Well even if have to admit that if you're fitting 988 Beadling barrels, I might have to try a bit harder to keep you in my wake!

Fast Eddie said:

.........Before I stripped the box, my mate asked why bother? It seemed that 'general opinion' was that it must have been replaced at some point in the past... they all must have... it would be fine.

So, it's a good job I checked, but 40 odd years on, it makes me wonder how many are still out there waiting to claim new unsuspecting victims!?

Click to expand...

The 'why bother' attitude is prevalent amongst quite a few owners of classic bikes. There's apparently a reluctance to spend money on the mechanical features, but when it comes to powder coating the frame, or a tank respray, they can't get their money out quickly enough. :?

Al-otment said:

Fast Eddie said:

.........Before I stripped the box, my mate asked why bother? It seemed that 'general opinion' was that it must have been replaced at some point in the past... they all must have... it would be fine.

So, it's a good job I checked, but 40 odd years on, it makes me wonder how many are still out there waiting to claim new unsuspecting victims!?

Click to expand...

The 'why bother' attitude is prevalent amongst quite a few owners of classic bikes. There's apparently a reluctance to spend money on the mechanical features, but when it comes to powder coating the frame, or a tank respray, they can't get their money out quickly enough. :?

Click to expand...

Amen. Don't forget "stainless" and "billet" butt jewelry :lol: