BAKER Drivetrain: Fork Rod Set Screw Tightening Procedure

Servicing an existing Big Twin 5-speed gearset or installing a new 6-speed builder's kit requires removal and reinstallation of the shift forks and shift fork rod. Make sure that the ½-20 set screw on the left of the case (shown in the picture) is never tightened down hard against the fork rod. Doing so will potentially make the forks bind on the fork rod and inhibit free movement of the forks on the fork rod. This will lead to poor shift quality, difficulty finding neutral, and premature fork wear.

       This condition is seen often in our transmission rebuild and service center (AKA 12-Step rebuild program) when transmissions are sent to us with unresolved shifting problems. An over tightened left side set screw will make a pronounced witness mark on the left end of the fork rod and let us know that the forks were not moving freely. To remedy the situation we remove the fork rod and replace it. Then the set screw is reinstalled with blue Loctite to the desired end play of .025-.050" achieved by lightly tightening it down, and then backing it out ½-1 turn.


Baker Drivetrain
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