B40WD gearbox oil level

[Triumph2000]

Evening all,
Apologies for a very newbie question, but how do you check the gearbox oil level on my B40 please?

I'm new to BSA's, and having to learn quickly the nest way to maintain them

[AWJDThumper]

From memory, the B40WD has neither a dip stick nor a level tube poking up from underneath the gearbox. However, it has a plug that screws into the RH cover just in front of the kickstart which I believe acts as a level plug.

[JulianS]

photo from the B40WD 1967 handbook.

[Triumph2000]

Thanks for that, I'll go and have a look now

[Triumph2000]

Typical, the plus is there, and after a little heated persuasion I'm screwed.unfortunately, the footrest stopped it coming out!

I'll get on to it later in the week.

Thanks again

BWJ

[AWJDThumper]

There should be about 1" of clearance between the RH footrest and the level plug which is probably only about 1/2" in length. Has your footrest been bent inwards towards the engine?

[Triumph2000]

Yes, both footrest are bent in board, when I get chance, I'll have a go at straightening them, any recommended methods?

[AWJDThumper]

If it was me, because I have a lot of old fork legs lying around, I would take the footrest rubber off, slip on one of the pipes and carefully bend the footrest back to where it should be. Alternatively, you could use a club hammer on the end of the foot peg to bend it back down but that is a bit more brutal.

[Triumph2000]

Fortunately, I have some fork Tubes around, I'll get on to it this week.
Alternatively, I'll take them off, and stick them in the press.

Is there any risk using fork tube?

[AWJDThumper]

I've bent a fair number of footrests back into shape without any problems of them or the frame breaking if that is what you are worried about. I don't think I've ever had to use heat during the bending process. If you're lucky, you should be able to slip the tube over the end of the foot peg and then have the leverage required to bend the footrest bracket back into shape. I've used a press before now but it was very awkward.

[Triumph2000]

Cheers, I'll report back when I've had chance to have a look.

[Triumph2000]

Footrest now in closer to original place, gearbox oil level topped up, carb reset, sounds a much happier little BSA!

[AWJDThumper]

Well done! Have you still got the original gearbox fitted?

[Triumph2000]

Yes, original ratios still fitted, only need 3rd and top on the road.

My next task, having put oil in, is to find out where it's coming out!

We have a nice puddle underneath

[AWJDThumper]

That's par for the course - hopefully, its not the gearbox sprocket oil seal!