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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 83
Z
Just Getting Started
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Just Getting Started
Z
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 83
Everyone here knows how much I love a good bevel box thread...it's a distraction from the timing belt threads. Therefore, the saga continues....

In June 2014, I started trying to source parts to get my M3W sorted. I had already done the Empire steering kit and it transformed the drive to enjoyable status. Now, I needed it to go better or more reliably than before. I had a noisy compensator that I didn't want to put a Band-Aid on (hole saw and grease zerk) and a "black goo/snake oil" bevel box that was running hotter than the bottom-end of the engine and getting noisy although flushed dozens of times.

Best answer I could see was get a Centa compensator and a new bevel box for a fresh start. It took the dealership quite a while to put together all the individual components for the compensator and the parts were dribbled in to them over several months. Though I did get feed-back on the status of the compensator, I couldn't seem to get any on the bevel box.

In August, I received the Centa "kit" at which time I called to check on the status of the bevel box, again. They said they were still checking on it. I reminded them that it was going to be out of my pocket because I wasn't bringing the car in and therefore, no warranty (over 3,000 miles of towing to & from twice, plus fuel, hotels not to mention the wait). I followed up on the bevel box again in early September...early November and mid December...they were still checking on it! On January 22nd, I got an email out of the clear blue saying the bevel box would be in the States soon. On January 29th, I got a call from the dealership indicating they had it in their hands and shipping soon. Today...February 4th, I have it in my hands.

Opened the box......after nine months of hassling with the "ordering process" (for the lack of a better description) and it appears I purchased a brand-new refurbished bevel box.





It's obviously been mounted before.





...and I think it's pretty safe to say the sprocket has been run before, as well.





Refurbished....No wonder it was such a bargain at $3,000 USD! To be honest, that's an hysterical exaggeration...it was actually only $2,990.80).

That makes $6,000+ USD I have spent (with me providing the labor) to try to get this thing road worthy and mechanically sound since I purchased it. The way I see it, I ought to be able to finally break the 4,000 mile mark soon without spending too many thousands more...but I could be wrong. My cost have moved from the base-model Corvette up to the Jaguar F-Type arena...and I still have all the wrenching to look forward to. I put more miles on my new Corvette in 5 days than I've been able to put on the Morgan in 1.5 years.

I almost get the feeling that someone doesn't want me driving a M3W. God, I only hope Quaife did the refurbishing. Now, I don't know whether to be happy I received a bevel box finally....or disappointed about what I got for my money. I can only imagine what an actual "new" bevel box cost. Maybe I should have ordered a refurbished box...increasing my odds of getting a new one instead of a "new-to-me" one.

I can hardly wait to tear the old one down and see what the mode(s)of failure is and hope the gear set can be salvaged. It is my intent to rebuild the old box to put on the shelf as I have a feeling this is going to be a re-occurring thing.

This M3W "hobby" is turning into a sadomasochistic sickness. Beat me, slap me, make me do mechanic things...take my money and kick me in the lug nuts...again. I guess as long as I can get a drive or three squeezed in between mechanical episodes, I'll just let the monkey continue to ride on my back. So far, this thing has cost me around $17.50/mile not including fuel, expendables, tags or insurance. Got to love them....because love is blind.

Z

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,299
Has a lot to Say!
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Sweet Jeebus, Zack ... doh

Quote:
God, I only hope Quaife did the refurbishing.


Hopefully they did and fully sorted ... stirpot


Quote:
I can hardly wait to tear the old one down and see what the mode(s)of failure is and hope the gear set can be salvaged.


Better than a sharp stick in the eye ? banghead

In all seriousness, I think you're laying the groundwork that many of us will follow ...
Tally Ho ! thumbs cheers








2013 M3W # 793
'Mosquito'
Joined: Aug 2013
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M
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M
Joined: Aug 2013
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If you ordered brand new, that's what you should have got.
I think I can see what looks like two different jointing compounds on one of the pics. Looks like some red hylomar. Don't accept it.
I had a new BB fitted under warranty and it was a little noisy at first. It is now completely silent but runs hot. All I have now is the awful belt noise under load. This is with a locally made hard anodised Dural sprocket. I am now commissioning a SS sprocket and hope to be able to fit soon.
M

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 214
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Putting the positive hat on....

Maybe they pre-tested it on a test rig to check it was a good one before shipping it across the pond? That might explain the "used" features shown? hide

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Yes the marks on the sprocket are very slight and maybe it is just the result of a good run on a test rig.


Peter

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Joined: Oct 2012
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Keeeeep running!

Pre-14 model M3W ownership needs alot of determination...and you must have oceans!


Neil

Joined: Nov 2007
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Reconditioned ie. rebuilt units might be fine, but you shouldn't pay the same for them as 'new' ones - or at least, that's the way the rest of the world seems to work...!

My lovely original Oct '12 bevel box is nice and quiet and simply got quieter over first 1000 miles and no trouble since. 4100 miles now so there are some good ones out there. Original compensator too and not much noise form that either. Rear end sprocket / hub very noisy and now replaced just before warranty expired. Now quiet and rear wheel central (great!) but for how long...?


Joined: Jan 2014
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Z, congrats on the "new" to you BB.

The problem is that there seems to be no communication between anyone in the supply chain. Nobody can talk directly with Quaife to ask questions, they are referred to MMC and no one there knows their butt from a hole in the ground about items like this. Dealers here have obviously no set ordering path for parts, or MMC literally have no parts in stock at all.

I had a bunch more written and it was just ranting so I've deleted it and will end with this.

Good luck with your upgrades and I would really get back to the "dealer" you bought the box from to let them know you have a refurb unit and not a new unit.


Dan
Joined: Jan 2007
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Zak.I really feel for you mate hope you get it sorted soon and enjoy the little buzz box.Youve got some patience.

Emyr (Em)

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 83
Z
Just Getting Started
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Just Getting Started
Z
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 83
I will be calling the dealership today and find out what's what.

Dan,

If you look at the bevel box below and squint your eyes...what do you see? Slightly resembles a GL1800 final drive?





At a quick glance and considering the center-line of the GL input shaft...after removal of the brake rotor and caliper bracket, it would provide ample room for a sprocket adapter off the FD...can't be any worse than having a loaded rear wheel hanging off of it.

I have thought about trying to morph a GL1800 swing-arm and final drive into the M3W but then you have drive shaft offset issues to deal with. With an adapter bracket, input flange and a flange to hold the sprocket, why couldn't a GL1800 final drive be substituted as a bevel box?

All this time, I wanted the full swing-arm to run a GL1800 wheel (with run-flat car tire) while eliminating the OEM bevel box and just over looked using it as a bevel box. Couldn't see the forest for all the trees.

The GL1800 FD is robust enough to deliver power to the rear wheel while dealing with the stressed loads of a 900+ lb. bike flying through the sweepers at 90+ mph (with two gravitationally challenged people on board)and towing a trailer. I see no problem it supporting the torque loads of a drive belt.

The gear ratio for the OEM bevel box is 2.0:1...the gear ratio for the GL1800 is 2.75:1 (33/12). The new swing-arm/final drive (trike pull-off) in the pic was less than $100 and are easily sourced. As you know, the GL1800 FD has a proven track record of high mileage service even when neglected. My buddies and I usually change them out at 150K miles just for general principle and considering how cheap they are but many I know of have seen upwards of 300k miles without a failure. It would require some final drive sprockets to bring the rpm's back in line but not the end of the world to have a reliable box that is quite. The GL1800 has two over-driven gears (4th is .843 & 5th is .686)...best I can gather on the Mazda 5-speed box, OD is in a range of .83 to .85.

I know it seems overly complicated but a current bevel box replacement is taking a failed product out only to put one identical to the one that failed back in. And a quite bevel box with 10K miles on it might not be so quite or reliable with 50K miles on it.

Food for thought...especially if you're considering building your own version of a M3W.


Z

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