Transmission gearset swap: 98 into a 94.

[skishop69]

This is NOT how I wanted to make my first post. I picked up this 94 Aspencade back in October for basically nothing and put at least 100 hours into it cleaning it up, repairing it and making some very cool and unique mods (more on that later when I post pics and the story). Long story short, I have the dreaded 4th gear clash that started out of nowhere and it quickly escalated from cold start only to all the time in two days. No noise in 4th or 5th, but everywhere else. I just want to clarify what I've read about gearset swaps. My understanding is I can use a 98 GW gearset (complete) with no issues. Correct or balderdash?

[WingAdmin]

This is NOT how I wanted to make my first post. I picked up this 94 Aspencade back in October for basically nothing and put at least 100 hours into it cleaning it up, repairing it and making some very cool and unique mods (more on that later when I post pics and the story). Long story short, I have the dreaded 4th gear clash that started out of nowhere and it quickly escalated from cold start only to all the time in two days. No noise in 4th or 5th, but everywhere else. I just want to clarify what I've read about gearset swaps. My understanding is I can use a 98 GW gearset (complete) with no issues. Correct or balderdash?

Engine and transmission internals remained constant and interchangeable across the line, although in 1997 changes were made: because the Valkyrie put out much more torque, it required a stronger clutch, main bearings, piston/rings, valve springs, U-joint, final drive and so on. These strengthened components were also brought across to the GL1500.

However...that said, none of this should really matter. The amount of money you will spend simply on gaskets and supplies to tear down a GL1500 engine and put it back together, will come very close to the cost of buying a perfectly workable used replacement engine. That's not beginning to count the large amount of time and effort required, plus the cost of new parts from the donor engine.

It's an unfortunate fact, but GL1500 engines are so plentiful, that it makes better economic sense to just scrap (or part out) the engine with problems requiring teardown, and replace it with a known working used engine.

[skishop69]

Thanks for verifying the internals are interchangeable. I definitely don't disagree the engine swap is easier, but I have access to a full set of transmission internals from a 97 that are already out and the necessary gaskets are negligible compared to $1000+/- plus shipping for an engine (at least that's what I found searching). Options for engines in my area are limited due to the few recyclers we have here that think their $#!% is gold plated. I do appreciate the advice. Thanks.

[Solo So Long]

If it were me, I'd be hunting for a GL1500 that had been in an accident but still has a good engine. Check your local cop shop and ask where they send wrecked motorcycles, then check with that outfit. It may take a couple of steps to find the elephant's graveyard, but that might be profitable.

Alternately, you can buy a Wing that someone just wants to be rid of. The problem with this is that it really really really hurts to start tearing a bike apart that has nothing wrong with it except for suddenly being unloved, after a few thousand happy miles.

[skishop69]

Already have the transmission internals in hand as well as the gasket set. Going to be a couple weeks before I get into it. Life... Got a buddy who's going to lend me his lift table to do the job. Accessed the book time for changing the shift fork which pretty much covers gutting the transmission internals. 22 hours. This should be fun.