Cracked gearbox case.

[activpop]

Wondering what years and models were more prone to case weakness and cracking? Its hard to check this out without stripping bike down, which you really can't do on a visit to check out for purchase. So I assume there is a higher risk of getting a  bad surprise on some years than others.  I think there was a change in 2004 to the case and maybe not an issue there? Not sure though.

[docc]

Short frame V11 1999-2001 (Sport and Rosso Mandello).

I am not sure a cracked gearbox mounting boss has ever been reported on a braced Long Frame 2002-2005.  

[docc]

@LowRyter should be along to rightfully recommend adding  the frame plate to any RedFrame. 

[LowRyter]

https://www.motivcycleworks.com/

Your profile says an '01:

contact Don and get the bellhousing bracket.  Don't let the tranny crack like mine did.  I'm sure I paid for the r&d for the bracket.  Tell 'em John sent ya.  

 

[docc]

Just now, LowRyter said:

https://www.motivcycleworks.com/

Your profile says an '01:

contact Don and get the bellhousing bracket.  Don't let the tranny crack like mine did.  I'm sure I paid for the r&d for the bracket.  Tell 'em John sent ya.  

 

This:

Seen looking forward from the left, airbox removed:

Frame plate seen from the right, looking up past the throttle rod:

Red Spine Frame shown from the bottom, attachment tab is the smaller, further forward (to the right in the image):

 

 

[docc]

Very, very difficult to photograph the cracked gearbox mount point in situ . Using a bright flashlight/"torch", it can be seen. Much harder with the bike leaned over on the sidestand.

Seen from the left of the bike, kneeling with head ducked and cocked, peering in:

Mount point of concern/center, below the red frame tab; white throttle rod knob/10:00; shock reservoir/5:00; starter cover/7-8:00 . . .

 

[gstallons]

If you own a red frame bike , you need one of these brackets PERIOD . I would puke if my trans. case cracked . This is the cure .

 IMO , there was not a proper radius made or cut into this case to prevent cracking. this stuff is a science all by itself.

[docc]

7 minutes ago, gstallons said:

If you own a red frame bike , you need one of these brackets PERIOD . I would puke if my trans. case cracked . This is the cure .

 IMO , there was not a proper radius made or cut into this case to prevent cracking. this stuff is a science all by itself.

@Lucky Phil's outstanding (as usual) tutorial and outcome regarding the case crack issue:

 

[activpop]

15 hours ago, LowRyter said:

https://www.motivcycleworks.com/

Your profile says an '01:

contact Don and get the bellhousing bracket.  Don't let the tranny crack like mine did.  I'm sure I paid for the r&d for the bracket.  Tell 'em John sent ya.  

 

I do have the bracket for my V11. Still on the lift getting driveline renewed with unis. Been at a standstill for a bit, life gets in the way sometimes. When the bike comes down that will be the next installation. Hoping to find everything there intact. Don't need any "oh shit" surprises.

[gstallons]

He** no ! Make sure you have swivel sockets to accomplish this feat !

[gstallons]

It seems that this bracket fits the red frame bikes only . I bought two to install on both bikes. The bracket went on the red frame and had frame mounts to bolt to the frame.

The black frame would not accept a bracket . I think I sold the spare to someone here .

[docc]

24 minutes ago, gstallons said:

It seems that this bracket fits the red frame bikes only . I bought two to install on both bikes. The bracket went on the red frame and had frame mounts to bolt to the frame.

The black frame would not accept a bracket . I think I sold the spare to someone here .

Correct. There is only the underside mount tab on the RedFrames. Apparently, the 2001 Rosso Mandello ShortFrame (painted black) does not have the tab. IIRC, @Tinus89 added a tab to his Rosso Mandello frame the brace it.

The later V11 tube-braced LongFrame, 2002-2005, does not have the underside tab for the plate, but probably* braces the engine-> swingarm across the gearbox adequately with the lower tube braces from the rear subframe (seen below, just above the exhaust).

*Does anyone recall a cracked gearbox mounting boss on a LongFrame V11?

[docc]

I know this post is redundant, but the later LongFrame lower/rear subframe "tube" brace is clearly visible on this Rosso Corsa and the image is just so compelling and begs to be shared!

[MartyNZ]

10 minutes ago, docc said:

Does anyone recall a cracked gearbox mounting boss on a LongFrame V11?

  I expect that a gearbox from a crashed bike could be cracked if the engine got a smack from the front.

[docc]

18 minutes ago, MartyNZ said:

  I expect that a gearbox from a crashed bike could be cracked if the engine got a smack from the front.

True, that.

Seems all of the cracked cases I have seen are silver and were discovered without apparent incident.

My dealer told me that landing wheelies on a V11 ShortFrame could do that . . .

I said, "It wasn't me!"