Counter balancer bearing

bpikeuk · Jul 25, 2006

Morning Guys,

A bit of advice required down in deepest darkest Kent.

I did an oil change on the 'Berg a couple of weeks ago and the oil came out looking like red metaflake paint! Had a run over it with a magnet and the residue seemed to be 99% aluminium so I mentally diagnosed a knackered cam chain. Thinking that it would be easier to take out the engine to work on the bench I have stripped the bike and used that excuse to get the frame coated silver.

I took the cam chain tensioner out last night to find that it was at full extension, again leading me to think new camchain required. I then took off the side case to find that the balancer shaft bearing has gone home in a big way. There is no apparent damage on the outside of the main engine case and the gears seem to be OK. What I really need to know is if there is likely to be damage at the counterbalancer end ie. do I need to split the cases or will I be likely to get away with a new bearing.

On a related but different matter, my bike has always been a howler, on looking last night the primary gear to clutch basket tolerance looks really tight and I'm sure that this is what is causing the noise. I have read about the incompatibility of '01 and '02/03 gears in this area (mine is an '01 501) but does this relate only to mixing and matching. Can I use all '02/03 parts with no '01 bits and be OK or does it all have to be '01. I ask because the clutch basket was replaced by DCR a couple of years ago and is in good shape and it would be more economic to match gears to it rather than have to buy all new.

Thanks in advance.

Barry

Simon · Jul 25, 2006

Hello Barry,

Since yours is an 01, I would certainly want to have a look at the counterbalancer bearing. As you have it apart do it and at least if you find nothing wrong, your mind is at rest.

As for the counterbalancer shaft bearing going, which bearing on this shaft has actually gone?

Regarding the source of all the flakes, have a look at the casing in the area just above the bottom cam chain gear. Has the cam chain munched some of the casing there? If the c/b shaft bearing had gone, then there would be extra play in the camchain so it may not actually be the camchain that needs replacement. Also check the bottom and top camchain sprocket for wear as this will also cause added slack, particularly since the top sprocket used to be ally.

When putting it back together, and if you have the facilities tack an extension to the camchain tensioner.

Regarding the gears I think it needs to be 01 or completely changed to the others, 02 onwards, to work correctly - so you can do it either way but without a mix and match.

Hope this helps,
Simon

bpikeuk · Jul 25, 2006

As for the counterbalancer shaft bearing going, which bearing on this shaft has actually gone?

Regarding the source of all the flakes, have a look at the casing in the area just above the bottom cam chain gear. Has the cam chain munched some of the casing there? If the c/b shaft bearing had gone, then there would be extra play in the camchain so it may not actually be the camchain that needs replacement. Also check the bottom and top camchain sprocket for wear as this will also cause added slack, particularly since the top sprocket used to be ally.

The bearing that has failed is the one inner one ie. in the main engine case sandwiched between the cam chain gear and the counter balancer gear as it were. I don't really want to have to split the cases unless absolutely necessary due to a lack of time at the moment and a pressing need to weld my ailing Land Rover in time for the MOT in 4 weeks!

I am sure that the ally has come from the cam chain tunnel as the shaft has quite a bit of play. For the sake of a few pounds for a new chain I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I'll get the clutch and primary gears off later this week and have a look at the part numbers and decide which way to go, all '01 or all later.

Thanks for the info.

Barry

Simon · Jul 25, 2006

Hi Barry,

As it's the "inner" bearing on that shaft you are going to have to split the cases to change it, I'm afraid. Do the c/b bearing then at the same time and even better upgrade it to the double c/b bearing assemly.

Cheers,
Simon

bpikeuk · Jul 25, 2006

Thanks Simon,

Maybe I need to retire, do you think 39 is too young ?::roll:

Barry

Taffy · Jul 25, 2006

whato barry

how are you?

go into 'the doc' and you'll see articles in 'red alert' and modifications etc to get you going.

go for the latest D.I.D chain. modify the tensioner.

definately split the engine and don't panic!

agree with you that all the alloy will be from the camchain tunnel as it thrashed around.

regards

Taffy

nsman · Jul 25, 2006

bpikeuk,
Man, I have been down this road.If you feel the fit is tight between, the primary gear and the clutch basket and your engine is a "howler" and especially since you have had the basket replaced I would suggest that you have some parts that are not compatible.Everything including the balancer and shaft is different for the 01 models and its all or nothing when it comes to changing parts.

bpikeuk · Jul 25, 2006

whato barry

how are you?

go into 'the doc' and you'll see articles in 'red alert' and modifications etc to get you going.

Really good thanks Taffy,

Haven't had any bother with the bike for 11 months and have been enjoying a decent bit of trail riding and some really decent events, just loving the thing more every time I ride it.

I seem to have hit a real sweet spot with the carburation on the original Dellorto, starts real easy despite having no 'leccy boot and doesn't seem to do that cough and stall very often either.

I'm going to run the part dismantled engine down to Gary Grover in a couple of weeks so he can split the cases and replace the bearing, going down this route as it allows me the chance to get a full set of compatible gears without any long distance guess work.

Looking forward to getting it back together with the new silver frame and all black plastics!

Hope we cross paths at an event later this year.

Barry

Simon · Jul 26, 2006

bpikeuk said:
Thanks Simon,

Maybe I need to retire, do you think 39 is too young ?::roll:

Barry

You're still a whipper snapper by many accounts, but you've certainly got the right idea, retire from doing the mechanical work and leave it to Gary! :wink:

Enjoy the riding instead....

Cheers,
Simon

tm-enduro · Jul 26, 2006

I had the same problem on my '02 fx470, forturnately nothing actually broke, so it was simply replacing warn parts. The unfortunate thing is that the CB should be replaced with the double bearing unit, and that is a pricey part (~$400).

Taffy · Jul 26, 2006

double bearings aren't necassary on the 400 and 470 i heard. just the 550/650?

what's the word?

taffy

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