Hitchcocks Forum

HI I HAVE A 2009 TRIALS BULLET 500cc, THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST GEARBOX IN MOTORCYCLING HISTORY IT IS CLUNKY HARD TO ENGAGE ANY GEAR, FULL OF FALSE NUETRALS AND HARD TO FIND THE CORRECT NUETRAL. I HAVE BEEN BIKING FOR OVER 40 YEARS WITH LOADS OF DIFFERENT MAKES AND SIZES OF ENGINE AND THIS IS THE WORST EVER. ANY HINTS OR TIPS TO MAKE IT SMOOTHER. CHEERS BIGHAZZ.

Clutch, the gearbox is fine once the clutch clears properly. Put it in gear with the motor stopped and try the kick start with the clutch pulled in. If there is any resistance at all then you,need to increase the clearance. Check the gearbox cover for flex when you operate the clutch too. If it moves in an out the you need to purchase a cover stiffener.

As per Simon, 4 or 5 speed Before blaming the gearbox, It is best to put your efforts into checking, cleaning and adjusting every part of the clutch.

I mean every plate, spring, nut, bearing, spline, lever and cable.. When you have a light clutch without drag then look to the box..

Just a suggestion as these boxes may seem agricultural but are robust and take a lot of punishment without failure.

cheers gwilly.

No problems with my 5 speed. Only decent bit of the bike actually.

Agreed, the clutch is very often the culprit. I now have my gearbox working well given that it is a very old design. The turning point for me was the cover stiffener. Gaining that couple of millimetres of travel made all the difference.

----------- you can't beat a good "Stiffie", eh ??---------Saves all that fumbling and groping in the dark...Yes, extra millimeters DO make a difference, so size matters !!--------------- and it's all done in the best POSSIBLE taste !!----------------- The urban legend has it that the gearbox was originally part of an industrial lathe ??? ( amongst other things )--------- then they stuck it behind a hulking great twin as well !! ( Probably just to make Moto Guzzi envious ?)

I can't see a cover stiffener is going to help on a UCE and Robin, I see you have come over to my side lol

I found that if I wear ear plugs, I can`t hear the crunching gear changes.

Yes Norm, I guess the near constant fettling to keep it on the road is getting me down at last!

Tired of fettling Robin?! That sounds like a sorry state to be in. I recommend a tonic.