1150 runs again (transmission problems revisited)

[Carter Turk]

After the APE ordeal with HD transmission bearings not working without spacer, and no mention of needing one, I resorted back to the stock set up with new shift forks and new stock clutch plates (fibers and steels).

Two times splitting the case without removing head and pistons in 6 months period. Not what I call a good time.

Summer just arrived last week so the timing was perfect as we had rain most of June and part of July.

On top of all this, the starter clutch exploded for the 4th time shooting the pins out of the casing surrounding the starter clutch. A few stripped 6-7mm thread holes, cltuch drag, and shuddering in second gear. Also there was an errant piece of aluminum bouncing around near the stator to which I cant figure out what it is or where it came from.

Needless to say I've been pretty depressed the last 6 months about it.

Well, I fired it up yesturday, fired on the first prod of the button, willingly. Went out for a ride and wow! It shifts dreamy like now, clicks into first easily rolling to a stop. Shifts without having to pull the clutch all the way to the bar. Pulls away from a stop with no grabbiness.

Very pleased, just thought I'd share that. Carter

[mike J]

Carter, why have you had so many starter clutch problems? Is this on an 1150? Mike J

[Carter Turk]

Mike,

My theory on the first 3 incidents were due to a dowel pin in the back of the rotor, backing out into the recess in the starter clutch. Not all rotors or starter motors have this boss in them.

I believe the dowel pin was too short and from vibration backed out, putting tremendous stress on the three allen bolts holding the starter clutch to the rotor.

On the last incident, I don't know what happened there, but the three hollow pins in the starter clutch held by the tiny springs made pronounced dents on the outer casing of the starter clutch, with one actually shooting through the casing. I found it when I split the case the first time.

So, I had another starter clutch with no boss in it taken to a friends machine shop where they machined a shorter captive hole in the starter clutch and installed a dowel pin reaching the bottom of each side of the hole, unlike the original.

It also may have been lack of properly applying loctite to the three bolts, but after the first time I did this, it happened two more times.

The last time the bolts were still intact, but the pin shot through, causing the starter to snatch each time the button was pushed. Yes, this is an 1150 with bigger pistons.

[mike J]

Carter, what size is the motor now? I would like to do some modifications to my 1150 but I don't want to get into problems all the time. Mike J

[Carter Turk]

Mike,

Its a 1229 now with stock sleeves. MTC pistons, Falicon super crank (a pound or two lighter) 90 GSXR 11 carbs w/pods and a pipe.

Much more torque and HP compared to my wifes 1150 w/pods on stock carbs and pipe.

Scott, the guy at Heads Up in Las Vegas talked me into it when I had the top end freshened up. He claimed around 125 HP 80 ft lbs.

Definetely wakes up the bike.

Heat is an issue on hot days. No overheating yet though.