Hitchcocks Forum

Hello all,
Just jumped on the 1991 350 bullet as the sun was shining, got 500 meters down the road and could not change up a gear. Limped home in 2nd and put it on the stand. I can select gears with the neutral finder but only go down the gears with the selector.
Anyone had this before? I'm a bit nervous of stripping down the gearbox!

Balf

Fear not brother Balf, If you can change back down with the neutral finder then its unlikely to be anything within the bowls of the box.

You may however have a problem with the selector ratchet assy, possibly corrosion or broken return spring. (there are two).

This would entail just removing the outer cover only to inspect. No gasket or oil/grease to contend with, which is half the problem there being no lube on the mechanism to keep things moving smoothly..

Refit the gear lever temporarily and observe movement and return/centering of the ratchet mech when lever lifted and released..

Remove spark plug and turn back wheel a little forward to select gears..

Just mark or photo mechanism before taking to pieces to ensure correct reassembly.. Don't be afraid of it. Its all very agricultural and fairly obvious when you look at it...

Thanks Gwilly. Took the cover off and drained out the water!!! The ratchet spring was in two halves.
Here comes an order! I think I will change the other two springs as well while the cover is off.
Thanks again,
Balf

I have had the outer cover off 3 times, once for No 5 spring, once for K/start return spring, last to fit the outer cover strengthener kit. Each time I have sprayed more of that white grease around the moving bits. Served me well over the years.

Yes, water does tend to collect in there. A drain hole isn't a bad idea.