Gear Case Cover Removal and Installation

[2Hacks]

Finally found the correct gear case cover for my '52 and want to install it. My stupid question is when I remove the cover, will any of the gears pull out with it? I don't want to pull the engine, lay it on it's side, etc., as my manual says.

I can't find any posts here or any comments in the manual about any precautions when doing this, so I thought maybe some of you might have suggestions.

Thanks,
Roger

[1951 adam]

Put your fingers inside the tappet holes and hold back on the cam. Dont pry on the cover, I use a wooden hammer handle and gently tap thru the generator hole to push it off the pins . It should come off No problem, Adam

[Mose]

Hope your 52 cam cover wasn't glued on like my 51 was. A small putty knife and lots of PB Blaster is what I had to use.

[RUBONE]

Any time a cam cover is changed it is best to check the bushing alignment and set the cam end play to the new item. Anything else is a crap shoot and could go from being no difference at all to a spun or sloppy bushing, seized cam, etc.
That is the decision only you can make!
Robbie

[1951 adam]

Take Robbie's advice on that one, you need to resize and fit it all properly. Small hole gauges and mic everything....and of course Cam and breather end play, good luck, Adam

[jdpan]

Wouldn't mind seeing a pic of this cover.

[2Hacks]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I've decided to take it to a "pro" to get it installed. There's a great shop close by in Richmond that I've used some before and they know what they're doing when it comes to panheads. I might have tackled the job myself a few years ago, but being in my 70's, I'm just not as good at these things as I used to be... I never was great though.

Here's the pics requested.

Thanks again!

[RUBONE]

Roger,
How high is your VIN number? The later '52 models used the cover that is on the bike now, the other one is for early ones. Palmer's book is incorrect on the application as the 4 fin cover came out in '52 with the early style bushing. the number changed for '54 due to the new bushing, not the casting!
Robbie

[2Hacks]

Roger,
How high is your VIN number? The later '52 models used the cover that is on the bike now, the other one is for early ones. Palmer's book is incorrect on the application as the 4 fin cover came out in '52 with the early style bushing. the number changed for '54 due to the new bushing, not the casting!
Robbie

Robbie,
It's 6555.

[nmaineron]

I think you ought to take it off and learn.There is nothing in there that will scare you unless it is blown up! You will see what makes things go round and up and down.The cam may want to follow the cover and the spacer on the breather may fall off but these are good things to know if you are going to own and old machine.The more you understand how things work in there the easier it will be to troubleshoot if things go south.We have your back here...its not rocket science and you will be happy that you did it.Besides it will save you $$$ per hour

BTW,my 52 had the same cover that you want to put on> I just don't remember now what the Vin # was! You can do this!!!

[Larry]

Pinion bushing alignment is very important. Why would you want to risk screwing it up?

[hplhd]

2hacks, what shop in richmond? lee's shop?

[panbagger]

I've got the same cover on my 52 as your motor has, the four fin.....I have lower numbers(1839) is the cover correct or is it suppose to be a 7 fin? just wondering......Scott

[Hog54]

I would keep the cover you have on now.To tell you the truth,I havent seen to many bikes newer than 51 with the old style cover.

[2Hacks]

2hacks, what shop in richmond? lee's shop?

Yes, Lee has done some other work for me before.