Hi to all again,
I've yet to take the gearbox out of my bike to find the cause of the gear-change issue I highlighted in my last post. In the meantime I've been looking at drawings of the gear box and parts list to see what is available should the need arise.
The bike apparently came out of the factory in very late 1963 presumably for the 1964 season but was not registered until 1965.
The part listed for the camplate in Draganfly is 68-3043 which is no longer available.
It looks to have a possible bush in the hole for the pivot pin.
I have seen one advertised with this part number as NOS on eBay but it shows a bracing piece across the tracks for the rollers with no bush, whereas the Draganfly drawing doesn't show this.
I have noticed a bit of wear on the slots in my camplate so seeing as how difficult it is to get one of these I'd quite happily buy it but is it the right one?
If anyone can advise I'd be very grateful.
I did see a post on here from 2018 where it was suggested that there should be a brace
But so did a later version.
Thanks and regards
Clarke
Hi,
3 different plates. Early had no brace, then a brace was fitted and latterly, '71 I think, a thicker plate with no brace. All parts book I have looked at have the indication of a bush right through to '72.
I think the unbraced plate had a tendency to distort so the brace was attached with the thicker one being much later with the slot it fits through being different.
BSA also beefed up the rollers on the selectors a bit.
The addition the brace may have needed a bit of machining of the case.
I do not have an early unbraced plate to compare but it is possible that the braced one will fit even if the brace needs to be removed. Yours will probably have a split pin to secure the pivot pin. Does the one you have found have this and are there any photos of it to look at?
Dave.
Hi,
Just had a look. Try https://www.obsoletebikeparts.com/. Not in the UK but prices in euros. They actually have one. Also, Degroot in the Netherlands may be worth a look.
Dave.
Hi Dave,
I bought one of the ones advertised on eBay which does have the brace. They're still advertising it. It's the correct number based on the parts book on Draganfly and they are also listing the same plate with a brace, same part number 68-3043, on back order and it's also listed as for the A65 1963, 64, and 65. I'm waiting on a socket to take off the gearbox sprocket nut and I'll then get the gearbox out. Then I'll know what type is in there.
I looked at the one on the obsolete bike parts website and it's listing the plain one as from 1966 onwards. Confused? I am.
I should have the gearbox out at the weekend so I'll take a picture and let you see it alongside the other one.
If it is the same as the obsolete site one then I'll buy that one if it's still there and see if the eBay site will take the other one back.
Cheers
Clarke
Hi,
As I mentioned, if the brace is the only difference you could remove it.
To accommodate the brace in the appropriate cases there is a machined surface where it would foul the case. I do not know if the earlier case has this or can be modified to suit. The machined surface was left unfinished on the later cases that used the thicker plate but they can be modified as I did to use later cases on my A65.
As you say though, some photos will be revealing.
By the way the gearbox sprocket and sleeve gear can stay in place when removing the gear cluster 'cassette'.
Dave.
Hi Dave, thanks for the info. I may get a chance to get the gearbox out tomorrow in that case.
The nut looked like it had seen better days so I'll change that and the tab washer when rebuilding starts.
Clarke
The late cam plate is thicker at the inner end but looks to be the same thickness as the earlier plates at the pivot and gear change end which would suggest it would fit the earlier slot I wonder whether its fits in an earlier box, it may also need selector forks to match the thicker cam track?
I've only rebuilt the late box and can't for the life of me recall whether the cam plate was stepped or not, the parts book suggests it was.
Hi,
I have a later plate and it would need some easing of the slot for it to fit. If Im remember correctly early plate has a centre piece that sticks out one side for the split pin to. On later ones the pivot pin is held by the casting and the slot is narrower. I will try and have look tomorow.
Dave.
Hi Dave, got the gearbox out today so I've attached a few photos.
The gears look fine as does the selector forks and rollers. Moved the camplate by hand and all seems to move okay.
The only things that I have noticed is that the rollers are quite loose in the tracks so maybe wear on those and the indexing plunger has a rough spot right at the top.
Other than that seems ok but I'll try again and match the gears up with the workshop manual and the sequence of gear changes.
I got in touch with Draganfly as they are showing the plate with the brace as the one for 1963-65 but yet to hear back.
When I took the box out the inside of the engine case on the camplate side didn't seem to have a lot of space to accommodate the brace.
Also got in touch with the eBay company I bought the replacement from and they basically told me to check with Draganfly and only offered a credit if I returned it. Won't be using them again.
Cheers
Clarke
Hi,
It all looks reasonable but if there is a rough spot then some very minimal smoothing would be OK. The rollers will not be too snug but but check the selector forks for wear as well. If rollers really sloppy and wear on the forks, new ones are available.
Is the indent plunger in the back of the box free to move?
If the plate was wrongly described on ebay then the supplier must give a refund. I have done this through ebay
several times.
Dave.
Hi Dave,
I've really only had a Quick Look at it but when I was operating the camplate by hand putting it int each gear position, I got the impression that the rollers although turning quite freely, were a bit loose in the tracks. I'll get a better look when I take it apart to check more closely.
The plate where the plunger runs has light marks but not bad. The mark on the plunger is right at the tip but will file out. It seemed to move freely on the spring when I took it out of the case.
I've added a picture of the inside of the case which shows where the plunger sits and how little room there must be between the case and the plate. It unfortunately doesn't show a groove on the case wall where the plunger is but I'm not sure if that was man made or not.
Thanks again.
Clarke
Hi,
Attached is a photo of some '68 cases with the indent for the plate with the strengthening bit on.
If your case is the same then you should be able to use the plate that you have bought but check that the rollers on the selector forks are right as I think there are two sizes.
Dave.
Hi again,
The plot thickens. I've attached a photo of the camplate from my bike (with boss apparently) and the one I bought online which had the correct number for the year 1964. It has that bar across the slots but no boss.
So now I'm doubly confused.
From what I've gleaned in the last 20 minutes online, this is supposed to be for a later model. 1969 one said.
I got a reply from Draganfly which said the part number 68-3043 was correct for that year and they have a picture of the one with the bar that they said they were going to sell.
There are slight differences in the slot profiles but on my one this might be the wear I thought it had.
There's one on line looks similar for £50 but it says it's a late one and at the quadrant end it's chamfered at the end.
Not sure but can't keep buying camplates in the hope one is right.
If anyone is reading this and can help please let me know.
Thanks
Clarke
Forgot to say that the one on eBay is quoting part number 57-4026.
Clarke
Those slot profiles are very different. Do we know why or what this feels like when gear changing?
Hi,
Draganfly will say anything to appear correct.
Personally, if I thought my plate was too worn I would go for the one on 'obsoletebikeparts'.
Although BSA saw a need to keep changing things, a new original one would eliminate that as a problem.
The slots did vary over time so what looks like wear may not be.
Dave.
Yeah that looks like the one.
I'll have a look at online.
Cheers
Clarke