Hitchcocks Forum

My Inter occasionally jumps out of first gear at the most inconvenient of times, like taking off from lights and turning a corner, bike leaning over and you loose momentum. Detent is in as far as I can set it and it was replaced 12 months ago. What I want to try is grind the first gear notch in the gear operator but not sure if I can do this in position.I don't mind stripping the box to get at it but I don't want to do this and then find I have to pull the motor anyway.I'm thinking of getting in there with a die grinder maybe. Anybody tried this?

Norm,try adjusting the selector plate in the outer cover first. The detent plunger only needs to be engaged 1 to 2 turns, more doesn't help, just makes changes harder. The groove on the swinging fork can wear so it's still a possibility but usually it's neutral that goes first at it's shallow anyway. REgards, Mark

One of my 700cc Indian Trailblazers will pop out of third or fourth gear under acceleration. IF i keep a foot pressed on the shift lever it will stay in gear. Any ideas on a cure? It's currently -14 F (in Minnesota)outside so it will be awhile till I road test. Steve

Second gear on my Bullet used to jump out. The dogs on the lay shaft were worn rounded. I had to replace the layshaft. As far as I could tell (through my research) and when looking inside, there was no "adjustment" that could have been done to solve my problem. It was just bad metallurgy. Keep us posted.

Hi Mark,
Gearshifts are fine so I doubt the adjuster plate would cause this but I will have a look. I put a new first gear bushes and bearings in it a few years ago, just this annoying jumping out of gear at the worst times

Hi Mark, I filed the slots in the adjuster plate so I could rotate it clockwise a little more, seemed better but on a test ride last night it still jumped out twice, I'll file it a bit more but failing this I'll have to pull the motor. Had a look in a box yesterday and there is no way I can get to the operator with a die grinder

Today I built first gear on the ratchet up by 3/32 of an inch with the arc welder, seems much better, tomorrow I will add another 3/32 and hopefully that will have fixed the problem. I have inspected everything and compared it with other parts and I can't see what is worn or where the problem is

Built the first grear ratchet tooth up by 3/16th inch and problem solved

Norm, is it the ratchet in the outer cover or the swinging fork selector inside the box? REgardss, Mark

Hi Mark,
Ratchet in the outer cover, rode it again last night and all seems good