Hitchcocks Forum

I have replaced a few sprag clutches on different bikes now so I can almost do it with my eyes closed. I see our host has an instruction on how to do it but one thing puzzles me and I quote, "11. Place the new bearing in the gear, replace the circlip and turn the gears carefully to ensure that the assembly has been fitted to give the correct rotation. " Place the new bearing in the gear, but how?? That's all it says about actually fitting the bearing between the gears. If you've ever done one you will know how tricky it is to push the gears together as the sprags have to be pushed outwards and I wondered if anyone knows a trick to make it simpler. The last one I did took a few hours on and off and then the gears just fell together for no reason. The rest of the job is a doddle. It's just fitting that dam bearing!!!!

Fitting the throttle cable to the slide of a Micarb can also be stressful, a six pack of XXXX beer needs to kept nearby for recovery.

Thanks for the helpful reply Leon but remember I know where you live. Surely someone out there has replaced a sprag clutch. I already know the easiest way and that's to get someone else to do it. Like painting a house eh!

I quote,.. Assemble the sprag clutch inside the clutch DRIVEN gear, with its wide flanged face facing the clutch DRIVING gear.

Ensure that all sprags are seated inside the clutch DRIVEN gear..

Fit circlip on the clutch DRIVEN gear..

Assemble the clutch DRIVING gear assembly onto the clutch DRIVEN gear with the sprag clutch, by ROTATING IT IN ANTICLOCKWISE DIRECTION.

The clutch DRIVING gear assembly should rotate in anticlockwise rotation when seen from the CLUTCH DRIVING GEAR...

CAUTION do not press the clutch DRIVING gear assy on to the clutch DRIVEN gear as this MAY DAMAGE THE SPRAGS...

its a 'Knack", easy after a few

Gwilly, have you done one or are you quoting from somewhere? After putting the circlip in I use a 30mm socket which has an outside diameter of nearly 40mm to push the sprags out and turned in the right direction and then gently remove it and try to place the driving gear in without disturbing the sprags. Easier said than done. Neddy, maybe I have not done enough yet to get the knack.