Super X Transmission Survey Results

by Alan Mayes, DWS #1672

     Over the past several weeks, we have been conducting a survey regarding Super-X transmission failures.  Thanks very much to everyone who responded.  For some reason, the responses from those who have actually had failures were lower than I had hoped for.  But the information from those of you who have had no failure but did rebuilds anyway was very strong. 

     In the statistical realm, we do not have a large enough sampling to make definitive conclusions.  However, we do have recognizable trends and I’d like to share those with you, as well as some recommendations.  Also please note that the data includes transmission failure information from my survey last year, after my bike’s transmission locked-up, along with new data received this year.  The studied Super-Xs were divided into three categories: 1) Transmission Failures, 2) No Failure/No Rebuild. 3) No Failure but with Rebuild.  This last group was the largest and their data showed a range in transmission wear and condition from what was termed “within factory limits” to “excessive bushing clearances.

     First, the data received only includes nine transmission failures (out of a known 60 plus). Two of those nine were on the same motorcycle!  The average mileage on the failed transmissions was 6845.  The lowest mileage noted was 1050, while the highest of those nine was 13,267.  Interestingly, the average miles on bikes with no failure at all was 11,562, almost twice that of the failed transmission bikes.

     Most of us are using synthetic or semi-synthetic oil in our bikes, but 56% of the transmissions that failed had petroleum oil in them, while only 8% of the non-failed transmissions use petroleum oil.  As far as oil level, we’re all over the map, but the majority of us run in what I term as medium to high oil level.  From the information provided, we can infer the obvious, that high oil level is more likely to enhance puke tendency.  Most of us claim to not experience oil puke as long as we keep the oil level at two-or-three-Xs-on-the-dipstick.  Hardly anyone uses an oil additive.  The subject of oil coolers shows an obvious trend.  Only one of nine of the bikes with failed transmissions was running a cooler at the time.  That’s 11%.  Of the bikes whose transmissions have not failed, 65% are running coolers and have been for most of the life of the transmission.

     Warm-up procedure on non-failed transmissions tended to be slightly longer on average than on those that had experienced failures.  However, there was only a small discernable difference in riding styles after the bike was warmed up.  In this category, those with no failure/no rebuild tended to run their engines at a slightly higher RPM range.

     What can we conclude from all this?  Well, based on the trends revealed from this survey, postings on this website and the Yahoo Excelsior Henderson boards, as well as my conversations with several Super-X owners and mechanics, I can make some observations and some recommendations.

     Observations - The possibility of a transmission lockup is a serious issue that every Super-X owner should consider.  As a group, we have been fortunate so far that no one has been seriously injured.  When mine locked up, at 10,200 miles on the odometer, I was running 60 MPH on a straight, smooth highway with little traffic.  My rear wheel locked up and I skidded to a stop in the middle of my lane.  A passing motorist helped me drag the bike off the roadway.  No amount of prodding the gearshift lever would get the bike out of gear or allow the rear wheel to turn.  Other people have had their transmissions lock up on turns or on exit ramps and have fallen down.   If I had been running 80 MPH on an interstate in traffic, I might have been a grease spot on some trucker’s tires.

     We know that approximately 60 of the transmissions have experienced failure.  That is about 4%.  I believe there are others that we do not know about.  Conservatively, consider that about 5% of the transmissions have failed.  That doesn’t seem like a great deal, until you put it into perspective.  BMW made about 65,000 motorcycles last year.  Five percent of that would have been 3250.  That would have resulted in a major, government mandated recall.  Excelsior-Henderson no longer exists as a company, so there will be no recall.  We’re relying on warnings from each other instead.

     Recommendations – 1).  If you haven’t already done so, rebuild/blueprint your Super-X transmission.  It’s a few hundred dollars worth of motorcycle and life insurance.  A side benefit is that in most cases, the bike is also smoother because the rebuilding (actually blueprinting) reduces vibration in the transmission.  It will be more pleasant to ride, other components in addition to the transmission will last longer and it won't break.  That is a win-win situation.

2).  If you don’t already use one, get an oil cooler.  It seems that the biggest enemies to our bikes’ longevity are heat and vibration.  We can have some effect on the heat factor by riding wisely (stay out of stop and go traffic) and helping remove as much heat as possible through use of an oil cooler.  Several vendors offer oil cooler packages that work well, including Pat Ryan, X-Man, or superxparts.com.

3).  Use synthetic or semi-synthetic oil.  Studies by dozens of sources including major motorcycle and automobile manufacturers and magazines have documented the superior lubrication and cling characteristics of synthetic oil.  It also has higher thermal breakdown properties than dinosaur oil.  Triumph doesn’t even sell anything but full synthetic Mobil 1.  You have an $18,000 motorcycle.  A couple of $40 oil changes a year is a small price to pay for the extra protection provided.   Change your filter every oil change.  With the quality of today’s synthetic oils, oil additives are a waste of money, in my opinion.

4).  Thoroughly warm-up your engine before riding and start it in an upright position to assure getting oil picked up and sent to all the right places.  To help with this, install the extended pick-up tube available from Pat Ryan or EH Only.  You can do that while your transmission is being blueprinted.

5).  Switch to the aluminum scavenge pump bushing available from X-Man.  The stock plastic one will not last and you’ll also have small pieces of plastic floating around in your oil.

6).  Maintain a reasonable oil level below puke level.  The only advantage to overfilling is the very slight extra heat absorption offered by a few more ounces of oil.  Most of it is going to get blown out on your saddlebags and back wheel anyway, so just keep an eye on the level and maintain it somewhere in the two-or-three-Xs-on-the-dipstick level.  I also have a theory, completely unsubstantiated, that oil spray is detrimental to the bonding agent used in our brake pads.  This theory is based on the observation of one set of completely destroyed rear brake pads (mine).

7).  If you haven’t already done so, adjust your shifting style to the bike.  Shift into first firmly, but don’t stomp.  When coming to a stop, downshift to lower gears just a few feet before stopping, while things inside the tranny are turning slowly.  Again, use smooth, firm motions.  I found it helpful to remove the heel shifter and use only the toe shifter.  Most of us are smoother with the toe only and removing the heel shifter helps prevent accidental clutch-engaged downshifts caused by clumsy big feet.  Again, I speak from personal experience.

8).  Keep the engine speed up and do not lug the engine.  This does two things.  It keeps the oil pump spinning at an optimum level and it raises the fun factor.  Like all four-valve, dual-overhead-cam engines, the Super-X engine thrives at higher RPM.  Riding it “on-the-cam” sets this American cruiser apart from most others.  In other words, “Ride it like you stole it!”

If you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to contact me at decotriumph@charter.net.  I would like to continue to gather information on our transmissions, so if you have a lock-up story or any other pertinent information, fill out the form here.  Thanks again to all who participated.