Hitchcocks Forum

hello to all.
i will try to sum up. i replaced the 17t sprocket with 18t. two things i think might be the problem but i don't know which one. one thing when i unscrewed the big nut that holds the sprocket on i did it with my hands, once i bent the tab on the washer. but when i replaced it i had to torque it down very hard to keep the sprocket from wiggling to and fro.
also when i pulled the clutch hub, i used a puller. it was on very snug and didn't break free till it was all the way off. so naturally it didn't go back on easily. i had to tap it all the way with a drift,(large socket)
now when i down shift i have to be very gentle or the gears grid. when i am gentle with it i feel the vibration of the gears touching. i tap it so gently it puts me in between gear neutral.it shifts up just fine. i am baffled.
if anybody knows what i did to cause this i would really appreciate some guidance.
thanks in advance, and regards. Gus.

Only on down changes Gus? I would check the gear leaver change mechanism is operating correctly. May not be indexing fully, leaving you between gears.You must be positive when changing gears on this. I take it, it is the ancient Albion four speed gearbox. You may also try blipping the throttle on down changes.

sorry, yes its the Albion 4 speed, 99 bullet 500. it has never acted like this before. i have never opened the inside of the gear box. it just started after i changed the sprocket. thought maybe it was the torque on the nut pushed the outer shaft inward or the beating on the clutch hub pushed the inner shaft inward. does either one of those theories sound reasonable?

Gus tightening the nut only pulls the main shaft sleve tight up against the bearing as it should be, tapping on the clutch hub only hammers against the bearing in the gearbox end cover so it can't move and neither of these shafts should cause any change in the shifting they just rotate in the box

Having gone up a tooth, make sure your drive chain isn't too tight when siting on the bike.

A rough guide is on the centre stand about 1.1/2" overall movement.

Perhaps recheck the clutch adjustment, rod and cable, remove all slack..

Top up the box to the level plug with oil if needed..