V7 Final Drive Question on Backlash

[LeakyLogic]

My current mechanical obsession is learning how to fix a final drive on a newer model V7. I am getting familiar with the operation, however I am unsure how to check the backlash with a dial indicator and do not know the nominal and tolerance values. I believe that a number of final drive leaks are not only caused by bad seals and bearings, I think that too  much backlash may be contributing to premature bearing wear, which in turn wears out the seal(s).

Does anyone know the nominal values for the Backlash along with tolerances? A search of the service manual and Google did not disclose the info or I could not find it because I could be staring at something and not see it sometimes. My wife knows this.

[Vasco DG]

Instructions for checking the mesh of the crown wheel and pinion are included in the manual. It is highly unlikely that it was set up incorrectly ex-factory but checking it with some sort of colour will tell you what you need to know.

Pete

[LeakyLogic]

Okay. That makes sense now. I will remember to use the color to check the mesh, but I thought there was some numerical amount to measure for the appropriate backlash with a dial indicator. Too tight or too much slop, I was just wondering what is just right.  I'll look more carefully in the service manual for the details you mentioned. Thanks.

[DAMMAG]

Out of interest, how does it feel at the moment. Is there very little backlash but free to turn or does it audibly clunk? Or somewhere in between? Talking about gears free of gear oil of course.

Damian.

[LeakyLogic]

I have a strong interest in purchasing a V7 II soon. I am fairly mechanically inclined, but not very experienced with motorcycles. I plan on doing my own maintenance and currently familiarizing myself with some of the more complex repairs as a personal interest/obsession or quest. ie. clutch, final-drive.
So unfortunately I am unable to answer your question concerning the current state of my V7s backlash. Hope to have one real soon. I would like to know what a typical amount of backlash feels like too.

[Vasco DG]

There will be no 'Clunk' as the pinion is turned in relation to the crownwheel. As long as the pinion carrier is bolted into the bevelbox and the crownwheel is pulled as far as possible away from it you should be able to detect just barely discernible free play, a few thou.

Pete

[DAMMAG]

Pete,

Do you check backlash by feel or do you measure it somehow with a dial indicator or similar?

Damian.

[Vasco DG]

You can check it by feel but the only way to know if it's mesh is correct is to colour it up.

Pete

[pyoungbl]

So if I read this correctly, OP does not have a V7 but thinks the bevel box is prone to leak.  I think he's looking for a problem that does not exist.  If this forum is any way to measure problem trends the modern V7 box certainly does not crop up as an issue.  Now, if we were talking about a German product...that might be a totally different conversation.

Peter Y.

[LeakyLogic]

I wrote this post because I really want a V7 II and I would like to understand the inner workings of the bike because I enjoy knowing what is going on when I ride. I enjoy everything I hear and feel because I am closer to my machine. As a future buyer I would like to know of any possible problem areas to watch for or know hot to fix them if the time ever comes. Again, I like to know how my machine runs. If it wasn't for a thread I saw on this forum I may not have been aware of a riders difficulty trying to get a respected dealer to correctly fix his bike after 3 repairs. I decided to try to tap this knowledge base and find out how to check backlash for myself and also find out what people have done or experienced regarding final drive leaks that are known to happen. I am glad that most have no trouble with leaks, for those who did, I hope their responses make me a better caretaker of a brand I favor.

[LeakyLogic]

Correction!!!
The final drive leak I am referring to from the last post was not discussed on this forum. I saw this on GuzziTech. Nevertheless, this person's trouble spurred me on to find out how to thoroughly troubleshoot and repair my own bike, if I need to.

http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/final-drive-leak-third-time.13218/

[LeakyLogic]

I reread that entire post and noted 6 different screen names of people that had a leak. From those users, I suspected that this was a know issue and only wanted to know how to solve it.
My only motivation was a desire to understand all things mechanical. A bit of an exaggeration, but true.

http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/final-drive-leak-third-time.13218/

[mwrenn]

Huh, that is an interesting thread.  I have not had any problems with mine leaking.  I changed out the crown wheel and pinion for a higher ratio some time back.  The whole assembly is pretty bullet proof.  If you do ever need to change a seal, the backlash should stay within tolerance on re-assembly.  I did not have a way to preload mine for a color check, so I assembled it and rode it.  Did a temperature check of the housing when I got back and compared it to a pre-change temp.  It was a bit warmer, so I removed the pinion and shimmed it out.  Kind of a pain.  The second ride it checked good.  The owners manual has a very good description of the process, as previously mentioned.