Burman BA gearbox 4th gear issue

[john.whiting]

When I see those type of rounded fractures in gear teeth,I always look for a failed bearing cage allowing balls to go thru the gears.Usually does bulk damage to the box,as in bent shafts,cracked housings,as well as stuffed gears.A friend of mine had a junior speedcar with a cammy Norton motor and he used BAs by the dozens.Regards John.

[Peter.Greene]

John, it did end up having a bend main shaft, damn

Peter

[john.whiting]

A lot of owners with Norton laydown boxes are having to fit AMC boxes after catastrophic blowups.These boxes are available new at eye watering prices,but I expect to see more Sq4s with them as the GBs give out.Regards John.

[paul.jameson]

As GB boxes are common as muck, and the difference between a Square Four GB box and a single or twin GB box boils down to mainshaft and final drive gear, I have to disagree with the idea that Ariel owners will have to use gearboxes from inferior makes. After all, both final drive gear and mainshaft are available from Club spares.

[john.whiting]

I stand corrected,again.If I am ever lucky[rich]enough to buy a Sq4,I will bear that in mind.Unfortunately,all my wealthy relations have already passed on,and left me nary a penny.And the local council seem bent on extorting my last few dollars with rate increases.Regards John.

[paul.jameson]

John,

I think you might be interested in an article I have written for Cheval de Fer on the costs of restoring my 1936 Square Four. In overall terms, the extra cost of restoring a 4 cylinder engine over that of a single or twin is not very much. Cycle parts, such as wheels or forks are common across the Ariel range so cost the same to restore, whichever model you have.

[john.whiting]

I must confess,Im not as skint as I claim to be,and I have owned S4s in the past.They failed to impress me,and I equate them with the two wheeled version of a car .Phil Vincent said that no motorcycle needs more than two cylinders,and I am inclined to agree with him.Regards John.

[Peter.Greene]

Continuing on with the work on the gearbox I noticed that the 4th gear sleeve bush on the cog side (ie outside the box) was protruding slightly from the sleeve, does the sleeve bush need to be flush or is this not a real issue

[nevhunter]

That can interfere with the gear going properly into top. It may have moved in which case put a tighter fitting one in. Nev