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The 2-Stroke Garage => Turning Wrenches => Topic started by: JBeasty on August 17, 2022, 08:57:42 PM

Title: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: JBeasty on August 17, 2022, 08:57:42 PM
So I put my shift forks in following the parts catalog (and Dusty's RD400e engine build), and the Factory Service manual. Now that I look closer, the shift forks marked #2 are on the right side (clutch side) and the shift forks marked #1 are on the generator side - on the parts catalog and in Rusty's thread. But the manual has them the reversed. Whats the consensus of those that know all things RD? (The photo's are of my case).
Thanks, JB
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: JBeasty on August 17, 2022, 08:59:46 PM
Here's a pic from the manual
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: JBeasty on August 17, 2022, 09:01:04 PM
and this is from the Parts catalog
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: Aloha808 on August 17, 2022, 10:07:41 PM
So I currently have two rd400 engines split open on my kitchen table.  I am using one of them as a model to help put together the one being rebuilt.

Anyway, the shift fork orientation that I see is like the parts catalog picture.  A better pic (from above) of your engine would help.

Hopefully someone with way more experience then me will chime in. 
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: JBeasty on August 18, 2022, 12:23:38 AM
Correct, I have mine set up like the parts catalog. The numbers I'm referring to are the raised ones on the forks (there's 2ea #2, and 2 ea #1). Pay no attention to the black marker ones I put on there to help me remember how it came apart. I didn't take a pic of them when they were still in the case, so they're useless  :bang:

2 engines all apart on the kitchen table! That's...  dedication!!  :olaf: :shocked:  :Clown:
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: 1976RD400C on August 18, 2022, 07:13:40 AM
Hmm... the service manual seems to be wrong. The number 2 forks are on the clutch side. 

(https://i.ibb.co/hBSfW3W/shiftfork.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F5FVwRw)
(https://i.ibb.co/bKKX2d7/shiftfork2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sVVq63t)
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: 1976RD400C on August 18, 2022, 07:44:51 AM
What manual did that pic come from? Here's the pic in a Yamaha manual.

(https://i.ibb.co/Vg34WR0/shiftfork3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/StJCXbD)
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: JBeasty on August 18, 2022, 11:24:21 AM
It's supposedly a reproduction of the original? Maybe I need to look for a different one.
Anyway, thanks everybody. Looks like I have it set up right.
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: SoCal250 on August 18, 2022, 11:58:31 AM
The photo in reply #1 is the same as my factory RD400 manual (with the copper colored cover), on page 43. (Yamaha part # LIT-11616-RD-40)
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: JBeasty on August 18, 2022, 01:56:27 PM
Well shit. That's the same as my manual, (page 43 from the LIT-11616-RD-40 manual). Which way is correct then? Anybody have their engine together and shifting correctly, that can confirm which way they put in the shift forks?
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: 1976RD400C on August 18, 2022, 04:52:40 PM
The number 2 forks go towards the clutch. 1 and 2 are different sizes, the diameter of the channel they fit in on the gear is different sizes. The gear shafts will not drop in all the way if they are mixed up. I found that out once with the same question about what goes where.
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: rodneya on August 18, 2022, 06:15:10 PM
Quote from: 1976RD400C on August 18, 2022, 04:52:40 PM
The number 2 forks go towards the clutch. 1 and 2 are different sizes, the diameter of the channel they fit in on the gear is different sizes. The gear shafts will not drop in all the way if they are mixed up. I found that out once with the same question about what goes where.

Thats good to know. Putting everything back together according to your manual, only to find you have to rip it all apart again is a sure fire way to ruin your day.
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: JBeasty on August 18, 2022, 08:14:41 PM
That IS good to know. I'll leave it the way it is, and report back if there's an issue. Makes me wonder how many people come across this problem, with conflicting manuals.
Title: Re: RD400 shift fork orientation?
Post by: SoCal250 on August 19, 2022, 12:30:29 PM
Added this info to the Tech Library :thumbs: