Hitchcocks Forum

when i run my 1961 bullet in the city my gear changing becomes harder I mentioned this before and people usually put the blame on clutch settings but if I come to traffic lights I just pull in clutch lever if I cant get gearbox disengaged i have never worked on a gearbox so know very little about them. any suggestions welcome

Hi purplefox
Your problem is 95% certain to be due to the clutch overheating. This is common in city riding on Bullets, and pulling in the clutch lever at lights will just make the problem worse...Bullets don't like that sort of treatment!
The clutch settings themselves are not likely to be a primary cause, it's more likely to be the *cable* adjustment that is at fault, however make sure that your clutch pushrod play is correct first by doing the following steps:
1. Slacken the cable right off (take it that since you have a 1961 Bullet that will be at the gearbox end, but you may have a mid-cable adjuster)
2. Take the gearbox inspection cap off and disconnect the cable from the clutch actuating arm
3. Slacken off the locknut and screw on the actuator adjuster (careful not to let the nut drop into the gearbox - you'll never get it out!)
4. Slacken off the adjuster, then screw it in again until it JUST touches the pushrod, then back off about a quarter turn. Nip up the locknut.


Now to get the cable OK, refit it at the gearbox end and adjust until you have about 1/8th inch of play (2mm approx) - NO MORE - at the handlebar lever. Try this and see how it goes...
Cheers
TimG

Purplefox, i have a 1960 Crusader Sport and all adjustments, cable, clutch and pushrod are to the book, gearchanging at normal speed is no problem but when you get in slow traffic it can be a right pain, especially trying to find neutral, it can be done but it takes practice. In my opinion the Enfield gearbox and clutch leaves a lot to be desired when compared to other classic bikes of which i have never had a problem.

Hi there, purplefox }--------The selection of any gear requires the clutch NOT to DRAG.Correct adjustment of the cable, rods etc is one thing. You also need to keep the whole unit as cool as possible so first, perhaps try changing your riding technique ie be more PREDICTIVE and less RE-ACTIVE. That means you asses the situation as it's unfurling and, in this case, select neutral ----use that neutral-finder pedal---just before you stop. Before pulling away, allow the vehicles in front to travel a short distance , then select 1st and go. I DO realise this is probably stop-go type of traffic ?? Not the easiest on any bike in any city. As it's a 1961 machine ( don't forget the "free" MoT status soon )try changing the friction plates for the modern SURFLEX material and use the ATF oil as well. It can be done but you need to change one or two things.

Purplefox, if you are not already, use ATF in your primary case, do the adjustments as Tim suggested and always use your neutral finder or slip into neutral as you roll to a stop. Do not drag the clutch when stationary! All these can be done at little cost but another mod which I can recommend (I use it on my 700cc Meteor) is to use our Hosts 5 plate clutch conversion, have a look in the accessory Catalogue. This was designed to fit Indian Bullets originally but goes in the Redditch (Albion) clutch with no modifications and makes clutch and gearchange action sweeter.
REgards, Mark