generator gear lash...how much is too much?

Gear Case (cams, idlers, cam cover)
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mbskeam
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generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#1

Post by mbskeam »

pullin out my A grind cam time for a change, going to a L2 Leineweber cam

so I pull off the cam cover, it all looks good, I check out the gen gear to idler gear lash and have about .007/.008 lash.
would going to the bigger gen gear get rid of this, or make it to tight?
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what size pins dose the gen gear get measured with? so as to to get the diameter ....

mbskeam
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Last edited by mbskeam on Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:41 am, edited 3 times in total.
Cotten
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#2

Post by Cotten »

Mike!

Sorry I don't have any numbers off the top of my head, but I gotta ask: Was it making excessive noise before you took it apart?

It is my impression that OEM gears were only denoted by their number of teeth, and not color-coded like the rest of the geartrain.
(Repop gears vary mostly on their sloppy fit upon the shaft.)

....Cotten
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#3

Post by mbskeam »

some from the front of the engine,used a screwdriver to the ear.
not to loud, just annoying
the gears are oem, except for the pinion
I got a new cam to put in....
what I read in the palmer book is that there are 2 different gear sizes for gennys.
but how much bigger is the big one from the std one?

mbskeam
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#4

Post by Cotten »

Mike asked:
"how much bigger is the big one from the std one?"

One more tooth, honest.

I think Palmer's outlines the proper number of teeth for different years (13 vs. 14), although it probably only changes the generator rpm if you swap them.
And the early years had a lateral spec as well...

Time for Perry to chime in, as he has a much better handle on generators than I do.

...Cotten
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#5

Post by steinauge »

If you use the 13 tooth gear when you needed the 14 it makes a LOT of noise and may well break the gear.I did this once about 40 years ago on a 45-bad mistake! The pre 58 engines used shims under the generator to adjust gear engagement.I didnt catch what year engine you are working on.I havent seen any of those shims in a LONG time !
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#6

Post by mbskeam »

no shims, the gen is bottomed out on the case...
it is a 65A 12V
I guess I could turn the case in the lathe and reduce the OD of it.

mbskeam
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#7

Post by steinauge »

If you are using a 65A you dont use the shims,they were only used in the pre 58 engines with 1\4X24 generator bolts.If your engine has had the holes drilled out for the later style bolts you need not worry about shims.The method I use for gear noise in these old engines is to use drag pipes. :wink:
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#8

Post by texasbobber »

hello Mike,
I can't add to what's ben said to your question, but I would like to know what interested you in the Leineweber cam?
TxRR
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#9

Post by mbskeam »

as to the cam, I want to be able to get the engine to kick over a bit easier, with A grind, higher compression and 4-5/8 stroke...it can be a bitch to start some times...
the price of doing a bit of engine work....but when I want to ride it, I don't like marathon kick start sessions.....LOL

mbskeam
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#10

Post by 51Hog »

Mike--
Did you end up trying the 14 tooth gear?
Did you turn the od of the generator?
How is the gear whine now?
Dale
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#11

Post by mbskeam »

no I did not get a new gear or turn the OD, if I pull the genny out I will do the OD turning
too much going on to fix what is only a minor annoyance......
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Re: generator gear lash...how much is too much?

#12

Post by 58flh »

MBSKEAM----As was said the 13 & 14 tooth gears for genny will olny make it spin faster!---I believe the 14 is for big-twin & 13 s were used on sportster !.--Or the other way around! :lol: ,cant remember!---Any way If you had changed the Armature in the genny for a new one--Sometines the gears loosen-up on the shaft & run with a loose-wobble!---If your genny gear is oem or new, check the idler for wear in bushings/& the teeth. As for whine I have good results in adding an extra gasket on genny & hold the genny to a right twist while you tighten the 7/16 bolts--It will move a smidge-(1/64-1/32)thats it!. Fire it up & see hoiw she sounds.--Also You can left twist it , but that would mesh gears a little more!--Worth a shot if idler is worn!, It has worked for me in the past on a few bikes!.--1-more check--the bering in the genny!--if to excessive it will cause whine also.--Good-luck!---Richie 8)
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