BSA Owners' Club Workshop Discussions

The BSA Workshop => Singles => Topic started by: Triumph2000 on 10 Feb, 2018, 18:44

Title: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 10 Feb, 2018, 18:44
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
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: AWJDThumper on 11 Feb, 2018, 11:03
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.
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: JulianS on 11 Feb, 2018, 11:38
photo from the B40WD 1967 handbook.
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 11 Feb, 2018, 14:54
Thanks for that, I'll go and have a look now
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 11 Feb, 2018, 15:24
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
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: AWJDThumper on 11 Feb, 2018, 18:36
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?
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 11 Feb, 2018, 19:24
Yes, both footrest are bent in board, when I get chance, I'll have a go at straightening them, any recommended methods?
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: AWJDThumper on 11 Feb, 2018, 20:01
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.
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 12 Feb, 2018, 12:13
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?
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: AWJDThumper on 12 Feb, 2018, 13:53
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.
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 12 Feb, 2018, 15:46
Cheers, I'll report back when I've had chance to have a look.
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 17 Feb, 2018, 18:00
Footrest now in closer to original place, gearbox oil level topped up, carb reset, sounds a much happier little BSA!
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: AWJDThumper on 19 Feb, 2018, 08:14
Well done! Have you still got the original gearbox fitted?
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 19 Feb, 2018, 11:48
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
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: AWJDThumper on 19 Feb, 2018, 13:46
That's par for the course - hopefully, its not the gearbox sprocket oil seal!
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 20 Feb, 2018, 08:35
I'm hoping it's from the right hand cover, which I removed to sort the kick start out.
May have been stingy with the sealant.

Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: AWJDThumper on 20 Feb, 2018, 09:16
If it's the sprocket seal then it's likely to leak more oil over night if you leave it on the sidestand rather than the centre stand.
Title: Re: B40WD gearbox oil level
Post by: Triumph2000 on 20 Feb, 2018, 10:37
It's leaking on the main stand, seems to be more on the right hand side, but, until the bash plate comes off, I can't see.

Need to get the gt550 Kawasaki sold to give me some more space!