40' Sport Scout Final assembly

[c.o.]

If when you assembled the transmission you didn't notice any gear tooth wear, then you are likely suffering from a lack of spring pressure on the shifter fork rack locating ball. You are right in thinking that the Chief adjustment is up top. To make adjustments on the Scout, you have to get down to the bottom of the tranny case up front between the engine plates. It's simply a matter of slackening off the lock nut and turning the screw clockwise to increase pressure. Be careful not to crank it too tight. You'll know if you did if the tranny shifts on the "stiff" side. The only bummer here is you need a right angle screw driver as there isn't a whole lot of room to work with.......... Good Luck!

[Tom Lovejoy]

Best I remember its on the side of the trans and you have to pull the trans to get to it. Is that right? Hopefully you guys will steer Dave right on this, lets get his Sport Scout out on the road and in gear.

[Tom Lovejoy]

Way to go Cory, good to know - mines a bit stiff, just might adjust it too.

[1914THOR]

You guys are awesome! I'll let you know how it works out, thanks again.

Dave

[1914THOR]

So, today I adjusted it, but didn't want to go too many turns in, I think I got 1 full turn in at least, from what I can tell, since you can't watch what your doing while reaching up in that small space. I can tell it shifts harder than before. Tough little spot to get in to adjust, I like the chiefs setup better. I drove the bike down the road, it runs great in second and third, first still wont commit to staying in, it actually doesn't stay in for more than a couple feet. So I guess I have to adjust it in further? In less there is a weak spot in my shift lever and linkage, but it doesn't appear to be the case. We'll see.

[c.o.]

I'd play around with it a bit and see if you can cure your problem. Did you assemble the transmission yourself? The reason I ask is if you can't cure your jumping out of gear problem by adjusting your spring pressure, then it's likely that you have some worn gear teeth. If it jumps out of gear in first or second then it's likely gear tooth wear. If the problem is in a higher gear then it's due to gear dog wear. Again, good luck with adjusting! I know that the last thing you want to do now is tear into the tranny!

[1914THOR]

Transmission

I have no worries we'll get it figured out soon, just wish I could have adjusted this prior to assembly. My friend assembled the transmission, we used gears that weren't new, but they were still very nice. Probably, just slightly not as nice anymore now that I've been a little tougher on them trying to fix this issue. Like I said in second and third it drives great, so I adjusted it again today, maybe 3/4 turn, and it still popped out of first, just after a few feet. That screw is getting close to being flush with the lock nut. So, tomorrow, I will turn it maybe one more revolution inward, and hope that does it. I'll keep you posted, thanks for the insight.

[indianut]

I have never messed with a Sport Scout, but if I remember correctly there is quite a bit of linkage to the shifter. My experience with the detent helping when jumping out of gear has always been in high gear. If it was me I would disconnect the linkage at the tranny then get it into first and try again. At least before I opened the trans.

[Scott Parker]

My '39 ss was popping out of 1st gear (only) when I was trying to get the clutch engagement position dialed in. I lengthened the adjustment and no more popping out.

[1914THOR]

Thanks Scott, I'll look into that again. It appears to either be the detent or the shifting lever, but I've lengthened it with no progress, I would like to push the rod down by hand while the bikes running, and just see if it stays in first, then I know my shift lever, linkage setup is week, since it was older hardware made to work. So, Does anyone have a schematic of the sport scout transmission? or has anyone ever removed the detent and spring, etc. while the tranny is mounted in the bike?

[c.o.]

Well, I thought "that's easy enough", and I started digging for a schematic. Well that info may be out there, but I sure don't have it. The factory manual for your bike does not go beyond pictures and written directions. Scott could be on to something, it may be in the clutch adjustment itself. You may know this already, but I thought I'd post it for anyone who may be interested.



I also tried finding a spec on the checking wear on the spring, but again couldn't come up with anything. Hopefully RedFred see's this, I'm sure he could help you along a little better.

[1914THOR]

Shifting issue

Well the bike is all together now, and I plan on driving it a little today, Lord willing. Over the past few weeks, I took the tranny out, found out that was fine after all, so I put it back in, and checked the shift lever on the side of the tranny, which visibly appeared to be going down all the way from my rod and linkage, but there was a toothpick amount of travel it still needed to go, for it to go in the detent, it was getting hung up in two spots, so rule of thumb, take the rod off first and check that lever right way. I'm glad I tore it all down though, I learned a lot, and even found 5 broken teeth on my motor sprocket on the generator chain sprocket. So I replaced that, either the sprocket was over hardened, or the chain kept getting loose from vibrating the generator back. Anyway, Happy Easter to all, and enjoy what's left of the nice weekend.

[c.o.]

Sounds like you've really gotten to know that Injun Dave! Great to hear your sorting things out. Those old bikes can be a lot of work, but I find it's all worth the grin on the road in the end...... I hope your ride today was a good one!

[1914THOR]

The ride

The first real ride was great today, I know your suppose to break in new engines in a long extended process, from what the manual says. but I didn't want to keep it under 40 mph, for the first 250-500 miles like the book tells you to. Now it's time to recheck things, and make some minor adjustments, and then decide the best time to re torque the head bolts. The ride made the work all worth it for sure.

[1914THOR]

1940 Sport Scout

Well, now the bike is right where I'd like it to be with the weather getting nicer. Here's a photo for those with interest and who have followed the posts, and given assistance.

Dave