3rd Gear Tire Slap

[Red Dog]

Went to go for a ride yesterday, shifted into 3rd gear and got noise as if the transmission was eating itself up. 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th go into and out of gear just fine. Then, you hit 3rd. Needless to say I got the home as quickly as possible. If I put 1/2 mile on her, I would be surprised.

Put the bike on the stand, strapped her down and turned her on. Went from neutral to first, every thing ok. Shifted to 2nd, just fine and dandy. Got to 3rd, yep, the noise started. Up shift to 4th, slick as can be. I went to 5th to make sure I didn't have a problem there. Nope, only 3rd gear. As I had it on the stand, I went back to 3rd and walked around to the right side of the bike. That's how I found the chain slapping.

My chain was slapping on the bummer pad on top of swing arm as the chain entered the counter sprocket cover. I went through all gears again looking at the chain in each gear. It is only 3rd gear that produces the slap.

Yesterday was the first time the chain slap appeared. On previous rides this spring there wasn't any slap in 3rd gear.

I did check the chain tension and it's right where it should be.

How does a chain slap in only a single gear? More importantly, how does on make it go away?

The bike is a 2010 Bonneville SE.

 

[Red Dog]

After pounding my head on a brick wall, my Bonnie is at Triumph Cleveland. I'll wait to hear what they have to say.

 

[Qship]

Hope they find the issue and it's easily sorted.

 

[Red Dog]

I'm fearing the word "transmission."

 

[CarlS]

Please keep us posted.

 

[Red Dog]

I will do my best. Currently, waiting for a call back from Casey.

 

[brooke]

You got me Crimson Puppy ,
good luck …

 

[nickjaxe]

Following.

 

[shanered6]

Ye it sounds like chipped or broken tooth on third gear , that will make the chain jump every time the that tooth passes.

I hope it’s something simple thought and an easy fix , fingers crossed for ya !

 

[brooke]

Makes sense..

 

[Red Dog]

"You got me Crimson Puppy ,
good luck …"

I like Crimson Puppy. Maybe I should change my user name.

Any way, Cassey called me Friday to tell me yep, it's the transmission. He quoted me $375.00 US just to remove the motor and tear it down. Further, he said I could looking a north of $1800.00 to do the work, not including parts.

Now, I paid $2000.00 for the bike (friend's discount). I have the title in my hands. So, I put another $2000.00 into the bike. Now the bike has cost me $4000.00. I sold my DR650 for $3500. What have I lost - $500.00? It's still cheaper than a brand new Bonnie T100.

 

[solomon]

Plus parts. Transmission not cheap? Maybe $3,000 all told if more than one pinion. Got to be done though, if you're going to keep it a while.

I don't know anything about these bikes. Why's the engine got to be removed?

 

[CarlS]

Plus parts. Transmission not cheap? Maybe $3,000 all told if more than one pinion. Got to be done though, if you're going to keep it a while.

I don't know anything about these bikes. Why's the engine got to be removed?

The engine and transnational are one unit. You have to pull the engine in order separate the engine and tranny.

 

[Red Dog]

I'm having problems with quotes. I hope you do not mind my copy and paste jobs.

CarlS
"The engine and transmission are one unit. You have to pull the engine in order separate the engine and tyranny."

I have yet to find a bike were the engine and transmission are two separate units. Generally speaking, to deal with the transmission, the engine needs to be pulled, heads and jugs need to be removed, and the cases need to be split.

Cassey told me it would take 3 hours to break everything down. The cost he quoted me is for the labor to do this (I call it bench fee) is $375.00. After that, he calls and quotes me on the price to fix the bike. From the call we had Friday, it sounded like he was going to do it based on my verbal authorization.

Triumph Cleveland is closed Sunday and Monday. I hope to hear from Cassey tomorrow or Wednesday. If not, I'm on the phone Thursday.

 

[shanered6]

could you buy a second hand motor cheaper or a bottom end cheaper ?
but i have to say you bought the bike very cheap and at a baybe $4500 end cost its still a cheap bike , and better the devil you know !

 

[Bloodknot]

I'm having problems with quotes. I hope you do not mind my copy and paste jobs.

CarlS
"The engine and transmission are one unit. You have to pull the engine in order separate the engine and tyranny."

I have yet to find a bike were the engine and transmission are two separate units. Generally speaking, to deal with the transmission, the engine needs to be pulled, heads and jugs need to be removed, and the cases need to be split.

………………..

Agreed it’s a unit construction motor. So how does removing it from the frame facilitate separating the motor and the transmission when they are one unit?

I would be most surprised if you are unable to remove the guts of the box whist the lump is still in the frame.

As for “a bike where the engine and transmission are two separate units” have a look at any 650cc Triumph prior to 1962.

 

[solomon]

The engine and transnational are one unit. You have to pull the engine in order separate the engine and tranny.

Oh. My Triumph is a unit construction (gears in the crankcase). But the transmission comes out pretty easily. Suppose things are now more complicated since my bike was built in '72. I've not worked on a modern bike.

How about getting a 70s Triumph. Often need work doing, but relatively easy. They seem cheap in America.

 

[brooke]

My first day as a bike mechanic I was faced with the same basic problem , brand new Bonneville. Top end has to come off to get the gear box open , oh dear what now ! Got through it no problem , they were very easy to work on . You could do it yourself , maybe . When my CX 650 e Honda needed a stator I sent it out to my buddy in the country , he even had the stator in stock . Looked way to complicated for me …

 

[Red Dog]

Okay Bloodknot, you had to do this to me. Get me below 1968 and I'm clueless.

It's a matter of splitting the case (lower end) apart. Modern engines, generally speaking, come in 4 segments. Outer right and left case covers, this is where you find your clutch, strator, pick-up coil, neutral sensor, etc. the The inner two halves is where you find your crank and transmission shafts and associated parts: That includes your pistons and con rods.

The engine/transmission unit when put together are all bathed in oil, to keep things working right.

I hope this explains why the motor has to come out of the bike to break it down to see what's happening with the transmission.

 

[Red Dog]

My first day as a bike mechanic I was faced with the same basic problem , brand new Bonneville. Top end has to come off to get the gear box open , oh dear what now ! Got through it no problem , they were very easy to work on . You could do it yourself , maybe . When my CX 650 e Honda needed a stator I sent it out to my buddy in the country , he even had the stator in stock . Looked way to complicated for me …

I'm not going to explain any further. You understand what I'm talking about. Yes, I am capable of doing it myself, however, with the bike already in Cleveland - remember this is no short jaunt for me - it was easier just to say "Yes."

Anyone who has further questions about this, I'll pull the Official Triumph Service manual and start quoting from that.