Hitchcocks Forum

The kick starter failed to start the bike, no resistance to kicking it over. I was told ........it's lthe pawl, so the bike went to a repair workshop and the problem was not realy the pawl, but just the small plunger spring that had become to weak to operate the plunger to operate the pawl. Not the easiest of jobs I'm told, hope this information helps someone some day

Hi DENNIS TC,------------- if it's of any consolation my 2005 Classic 500 pawl is starting to show signs of wear ie not engaging fully every time..... Been lovely all riding season but just this last month it's thrown the teddy from the pram....Time to delve into that murky, 4-speed "Black Hole of Calcutta" and do something "Technical" I suppose ??

Thanks for the response Alan, Arden Motorcycles Alcester, near Stratford on Avon did the job for me, they said they hadn't done one before, and they specialise in Royal Enfield. The job took two hours and they had to make a tool to do the job. Not the easiest of jobs apparently

Alan, bigest problem you will have to deal with is that horrible grease in the 4 speeds

Hi guys-------- Hello NORM,----yes, exactly matey!! that's what the "Black Hole of Calcutta" was referring to.... Third gear has been rumbling ever since I had the bike ( This time last year,500 fun-packed miles ago. Trouble is I've done 3,500 miles on it !!( failed H/T coil whilst going to a local Biker meet one evening, then failed throttle cable whilst on my way home from an Enfield riders visit to Holmfirth.) But I LOVE the bitching thing ---and the other one as well. )..... Think I'll wait until something actually fails first....kick starter I'd imagine..... then, following the Star Trek motto of "Bravely going------- etc" will do the whole hog and uprate as much as funds will allow me... Alas I missed the chance of obtaining a 5-speeder complete with R/H conversion, earlier on this year....Referring back to that grease, I'll get 'er indoors to give it one of her famous "Piercing looks"----- that should do it !!!

Alan, rumbling third gear, just live with it, If you are replacing the pawl, replace the "O"ring while it is apart and the "O"ring is a special one, not one you can use from a kit. Pawl replacement is a half hour job but always takes an hour if you get what I mean