Easier fix? Head swap or locked sub tranny?

[DasUberKraut]

Exactly as the title says. What's the easier fix between the two?

I have two 84 125m's. One that runs half decent but sub trans is locked into low. Also needs new clutch plates. But I'm not concerned with that. The second is my project I've been working on. But the head is off it and the frame split in half at the seat release.

What motor should I fix and swap to the good frame? I also have to swap my 86 200s forks over to the good frame with my Bear Claws on DWC rims. I will add pics of how they sit now.

[86T3]

The sub tranny would take you 5 minutes to swap if you have the gasket. Make sure you lay the trike on its right side or all the gears will fall out of it when you pull it off.

[dustrunner]

yep, i agree with 86t3... good luck

[tri again]

does the runner shift ok other than the hi lo issue?

[DasUberKraut]

The runner has the worn clutch. It's an easy fix so I'm not including it in the decision making.

[oscarmayer]

i would swap the sub-trans and clutches and go! no motor pulling needed. simple fix! sub-trans gasket and clutches woudl eb about %35 in parts with shipping and if you wanted more bite add upgrade clutch springs for another $30 or so.

[DasUberKraut]

I planned to go with the Barnett clutch plates. Since they don't make hd springs, I was planning to get the EBCs.

What am I looking for when I open sub trans cover? I've read that a worn or missing gasket can make it sieze. The one on my trike has a bent lever. It just looks bent though. Where it it enters the case everything looks normal.

[oscarmayer]

well, a bent lever could mean the fork inside is bent and that has it locked.
The fork if i recall is alloy and the lever is metal, but i do forget. you need to open it and check it,. coudl be a somple, fix. it is a pita at times puting them togetehr and they like to pop those bearings all over. when you take it appart make sure you do it in a nice clear plastic bag with it closed and only your hand in it so anythign that pops out stays in the bag. i had to wait weeks to get my selector bearings from honda for my bigred when i lost mine.

[86T3]

You do need a gasket for the lever to work correctly but i doubt a dried one would make it malfunction.When you take the cover off you'll see how the sub tranny works. Moving the lever back and forth moves a gear in and out that engages the high or low range. Here's the bike bandit schematic. http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot...m1874#sch10671 . It should be obvious what is hanging up when you get it apart. Good luck!

[DasUberKraut]

So I was just outside a bit ago and got the locked sub tranny to move. I didn't feel it click into high range though. It's stuck in corner right now so I can't rock it, but progress is progress.

[DasUberKraut]

So I just had an enlightened thought as I'm sitting her flipping channels and whatnot.

Is it possible that the nut that mounts the lever is over tightened? Or maybe the internals aren't getting sufficient lubrication?

[ps2fixer]

I don't know much about these machines, but I would open her up and take a look. Might be just a worn bearing, or a buildup from not using the hi/lo range enough.