82 Big Red, no power to rear end, any ideas?

[Pistonhead]

While rebuilding my 82 200E I have run into a jam and I am wondering if anyone here can help me out.

So, once I completely rebuilt the trike I had no major problems starting the engine (it runs well, but is not broken in so you have to keep the throttle going or it dies) however when I went to see if she would shift into gear I got only 2 gears, and no power to the wheels whatsoever. So, finding no information or solution in my clymer manual, I took the crankcase half off to see what I might see; I noticed that when I moved the piston to what I think is TDC, I had all 5 gears. Impressed by this development I eagerly bolted it all back together, put in fresh oil and started her up. Much to my shagrin, I still have no power to the wheels and I am at a loss trying to figure out how to fix this issue.


My question is: why do I not have any power going to the wheels, and how can I fix this issue and get wheeling again?


Thank you all for help and suggestions,


Pistonhead/Ben

[Dirtcrasher]

Sounds like something in either the clutch or tranny got put back together wrong.

Does it have a chain or shaft? Either way, pull off the clutch cover and remove the manual clutch or the centrifical clutch - whatever connects the tranny to the crank gear. Spin the sprocket or the driveshaft and now your watching everything work in a reverse direction. If it shifts fine and every gear chages the speed of the mainshaft, then it would seem the clutch was bad.

Not sure why you had 2 gears, I hope for your sake that it isn't an internal problem.....

[dreadhed]

E is chain driven.

[Pistonhead]

Sounds like something in either the clutch or tranny got put back together wrong.

Does it have a chain or shaft? Either way, pull off the clutch cover and remove the manual clutch or the centrifical clutch - whatever connects the tranny to the crank gear. Spin the sprocket or the driveshaft and now your watching everything work in a reverse direction. If it shifts fine and every gear chages the speed of the mainshaft, then it would seem the clutch was bad.

Not sure why you had 2 gears, I hope for your sake that it isn't an internal problem.....

I think I know what the problem might be now that you mention this (I suspected it could be an issue with the clutch). Do you think that if the springs on the (centrifical) clutch basket were too tight this might be the cause of the problem? It should not be an internal issue as I only removed the clutch basket to take the 2nd case half off to install a new gasket.


Hopefully this is the issue as it would be an easy fix. I rebuilt the engine on this machine 4-5 years ago as a largely incompetent 14 year old (luckily I had a clymer manual) so I could see this being something I could have messed up.

[Dirtcrasher]

Your problem is something from the sprocket to the crank isn't transmitting power. Those shoes on the cent clutch get thrown outwards as the RPM's pick up. Not sure how you could have got them too tight.

Anyhow, like I said; just open up that cover and roll the machine and see where and what isn't turning. Should be easy to spot if it's under the clutch cover.

Be sure to post what you find!!

[Pistonhead]

Yeah, I am heading up to my farm this weekend, so I'll definitely be taking a look at it.


And I will definitely be sure to post the outcome.