Hitchcocks Forum

Hello all,



For the first time in nearly 10000 miles, I started having gear selection problems - shifting to neutral from first or second when slowing down, making riding in slow moving traffic a nightmare. I tried the recommended adjustment method - loosen clutch cable at both ends, unscrew locknut, tighten screw and back off a half turn when resistence met, then tighten locknut and adjust cable. No success after several attempts. Finally, snap! Not the cable but the arm on the inside of the gearbox outer cover. This must have been getting worse over time until the break.

Anybody else had this problem?

What exactly happens in that gearbox when the clutch lever is pulled in? I'd like to understand what happens in order to diagnose the problem. Consulted Snidal and manual but not enough detail.



I must add, the gearbox sprocket was changed a few weeks ago from 18 to 19, but I'm hoping this mod has nothing to do with my gearbox problem which started 2 to 3 hundred miles after that change...



Many thanks for any help,



Mikel

Mike


       I have heard of the arm breaking a couple of times  so not a one off. If you remove the cover you will see the principle of how it works with the three balls between the 2 plates. Fitting the sprocket would have nothing to do with it unless the clutch wasn't assembled correctly somehow. Did the clutch feel any heavier after fitting the sprocket

Hi Mike.  Nothing actually happens inside the gearbox when the clutch lever is pulled in. What DOES happen is the arm whcih you say has snapped pushes on a rod which passes straight through the box (through the middle of the main shaft) to the clutch in the primary chain case. As you pull the lever the clutch disengages the drive (or power) from the gearbox. This allows easier gear changes, and permits you to engage a gear whilst at standstill and 'feed the power in' as you move off.


Hope this helps.


Tony R.

Thanks for the replies.


Norm, clutch felt fine after the sprocket change.


I've ordered Mr H's improved clutch arm kit which I'm expecting tomorrow, so fingers crossed.


Thanks again,


Mikel