Knucklehead Transmission

[BigLakeBob]

In my opinion, if you are wanting to buy a new mainshaft to fit your new Andrews main drive gear, there is nothing wrong with the quality of an Andrews mainshaft. You mentioned in post 3 that making a new bushing is no problem, then just keep your undersize mainshaft and make a new main drive gear bushing to fit. Only problem would be with the end seal sealing on a .987 shaft, but '47 didn't have a seal anyway. I've changed bushing sizes numerous times to reuse an original part that has worn or been altered. Examples are gear cover bushings and kick cover bushings. I turn down pre '54 oem worn kick arms then make bushings to fit, probably what was done with your mainshaft. No different than fitting an oversized valve guide in a head. I feel that if the .987 mainshaft is good otherwise, just make a new bushing to fit and move on. Positive side, in the future if you put enough miles on it, when the bushing you made is wore out, then install a new mainshaft and refit the bushing to that one. Win, win.

[samsmc1]

The Andrews mainshaft appears to be about $80.00 higher than most of the others I've found - that seems to high. Are there currently anyone's parts that you know of to stay away from? This bike probably won't get 300 miles a year on it - then put up to look at after I'm gone.

[duffeycycles]

Eastern also makes shafts but stay away from cheap imports unless you want serious problems.They may bend or break easy.

[samsmc1]

Do any of you actually have any experience with or know someone who has had problems with parts from Eastern?

[T. Cotten]

Do any of you actually have any experience with or know someone who has had problems with parts from Eastern?

This is only anecdotal, Sams,...

And dated decades back, but I never had an issue with the few Eastern mainshafts I installed.

Andrews only threw me a curve once.

Nobody's perfect.

.....Cotten

[Peter Cooke]

Eastern also makes shafts but stay away from cheap imports unless you want serious problems.They may bend or break easy.

Duffey, are you saying Eastern shafts are cheap imports that may bend or break, or are you saying 2 different things?
1. Eastern makes shafts.
2. Cheap imports may bend or break.

[BigLakeBob]

I had a friend who bought a cheap imported 4sp main shaft, shaft was too hard, snapped and ruined his whole case. I am a firm believer in buying the best you can for engine and transmission internals, there is just too much at stake to take the cheap road.

[duffeycycles]

I said Eastern makes mainshafts that have a good history.Eastern is a US manufacturer.I always use Andrews because of what Bob said,Many years ago,I installed 3 import shafts for people that demanded cheapest.All 3 broke & destroyed the trans

[Peter Cooke]

I said Eastern makes mainshafts that have a good history.Eastern is a US manufacturer.I always use Andrews because of what Bob said,Many years ago,I installed 3 import shafts for people that demanded cheapest.All 3 broke & destroyed the trans

Thank you.

[T. Cotten]

This is only anecdotal, Sams,...

And dated decades back, but I never had an issue with the few Eastern mainshafts I installed.

Andrews only threw me a curve once.

Nobody's perfect.

.....Cotten

For what its worth, Folks,...

My experience so very long ago with an Andrews shaft deserves clarification, since catastrophic failure it wasn't.

A close associate put together a machine for strip competition, but it,.. for want of a better phrase, went out of gear repeatedly when thrashed.
(I only now realize how embarrassing, and expensive that was.)

He handed me the shaft, and between centers, one end wasn't concentric to the other. Like it had been taken out of the lathe and set back up.

So the rest of the anecdote is that the associate had me install it in a box for a lady neighbor. It worked perfectly for her.

....Cotten