buell westwind

[firebladedave918]

Can anyone help???? I have a 1990 westwind with 1200 motor. I want to remove the transmission/clutch casing. I havent enough clearance past the frame rail. Surely it cant be an engine out job. Is there any way of pivoting the engine forward on the swingarm. Any help will be great.

 

[jetlee]

Splitting cases is quite usually an engine-out job. It can be done on Blasts if following the right dis-assembly sequence. Seeing as how the RS1200 frame wraps around from the outside, I'm not sure that you can do an in-frame split. I'm also not familiar with the RS1200 mounts to know for sure.

 

[jetlee]

Also, weren't there only like around 200 RS1200 Westwind's built? Are you comfortable splitting the case on such a rare motorcycle? If you're the least bit uncomfortable, have someone else do it.

 

[Cosworth]

Yea, rare bike. We want pictures!!!!!

 

[firebladedave918]

Its not the crank cases i want to split; only primary case. Yes i will post some pictures tomorrow. I will post a few of my problem too

 

[jetlee]

Oh, just the primary cover?

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=24307&page=2

One thing about all these old Buell Motor Company bikes: you can't get the primary cover off without raising the frame (or lowering the motor).

 

[firebladedave918]

Thanks Jetlee. So i had a look and i think if i take of the tie-rods and support the engine with a trolley jack; maybe i coulnd undo the front engine mounts and pivot the engine a couple of inches enough to for the primary case to clear the frame. My question is; will the motor pivot on the swing arm mounting. Thanks for all your interest and advice; its gratefully appreciated. What a bad design it is. Its a long old task to remove the primary case. The cams came out with the other side; i was hoping to leave the cams in. Pain in the

 

[jetlee]

It's not a bad design, the bike was made during the time that Erik was more interested in performance than serviceability.

I don't know how the rear of the engine/case is mounted, so I can't attest 100% to it...but from the pictures and information I can gather in short time, I'd venture to say that you can rotate it as you've described.

Getting the cams to stay in the case and not come off with the cover can be a test in patience, at times. I've done a lot of cam swapping on Sportsters in the past.

 

[firebladedave918]

I agree with Erik Buells want for performance. And Erik Buell vision of what a motorcycle should be is quirky to say the least; but great. However; designing something that potentially needs an engine drop; even to change a clutch cable; well its just crazy; thats why i think there is a way around it. So Jetlee; can the cams go back in without the rocker arms being removed. Jet; i will take some photos for you tonorrow; also im going to try my theory.

 

[jetlee]

If you can lift the lifters to slide the cams into place, with no friction on the journals...then sure you can do it without loosening the rockers. However, it has been my experience that this is not possible unless you have adjustable pushrods and collapsible tubes.

 

[firebladedave918]

Best to loosen the rockers i think. Thanks mate. Are the pushrod covers spring loaded.

 

[jetlee]

If you're loosening the rockers, there's no need to mess with the pushrod covers.

If they're collapsible, then yes, they're usually spring loaded.

 

[Negative]

Wait ....... wait wait wait ..... I just went and googled pics of this bike to take a look at it .... this thing doesn't have a detachable derby cover?? ... shouldn't there be a way to retrofit one from a sporty with a derby cover in the primary?

 

[jetlee]

Derby cover? I'm think it comes off.

I'm sure the OP has already tried that avenue and needs the extra space afforded by removing the entire primary cover.

-EDIT-
Maybe not...

 

[Negative]

I can't see that picture .... I'm not sure if it's because I'm on my mil computer or not ...

 

[firebladedave918]

Jet. Have you got email address; i cant seem to post photos on this forum.

 

[jetlee]

I can't see that picture .... I'm not sure if it's because I'm on my mil computer or not ...

It's photobucket.com, I'm surprised I can even see it; work has photobucket.com firewalled.

Jet. Have you got email address; i cant seem to post photos on this forum.

PM sent.

 

[firebladedave918]

 

[firebladedave918]

 

[firebladedave918]

Are my pictures visible.