Hitchcocks Forum

Hi All
Please can anyone help, advise, inform..
Today I took of the right-hand-side engine case in order to change a worn drive sprocket and chain.
All went great. I also changed the rear-wheel sprocket and was feeling very pleased with myself.
I put everything back together, filled in some fresh oil, and she sounded great.
However, then I saw it:
The gear change lever, on the left obviously, was just hanging straight down. The shaft is about 4cm loose - left-to-right through the engine.
What on earth have I done?
Please, any help!!
BR

Don’t worry, all you’ve done is disengage the gearchange shaft from the change mechanism. I think you’ll have to remove the outer timing cover again. The shaft engages in the mechanism which is just to the left of the oil pump. If you push from the gear lever end it should be obvious what’s happened; a tab on the shaft engages between the two prongs of the vertical gearchange shaft that operates the cam plate. No need to drain all the oil, just do it on the side stand and replace the oil lost on removing the cover. I don’t think you can re-engage the shaft without removing the outer timing cover again. If posting a picture was easier on this forum I would but I don’t know how....sorry.

Great!! Thanks so much!!!

Put the gear change shaft finger in the slot.
Just behind the oil pump drive gear.
There should be a plastic spacer on the end of the shaft , not shown in the photo.
Also make sure the oil pump outlet O ring is in place.
Best to fit a new one each time you have the cover off.

Thanks Haggis. Much appreciated. Looks straightforward.
Off to do it now.

Thanks so much guys. Ain't the internet great sometimes?
Have a great weekend