Forum

[Tv]

G'day All, I'm having a lot of trouble with the gear selector and hoped I could get some tips. I have 2 Bullet 350's (1990 and a 1987 Super Star) Ive got a close ratio gear set in the Super Star and the gear changing is acceptable but difficult to get the changes right while riding, but I can ride it. The 1990 is hopeless. I can select 1st OK but going to 2nd, 3rd or anything always goes through to a neutral. Ive tried moving the adjuster plate, changing the springs, new detent plunger. Any clues? Anything in particular to look out for.
Thanks and Regards
Tony

[Norm]

Tony most gearshift problems are clutch related, and that is a complete problem of its own and you have not been down that path yet

[vince]

hi, check and see if the mainshaft nut is loose at the kickstart side, as this will allow the shaft to float back and forth as the gears select.

[Norm]

Vince can you please explain the logic behind this idea

[vince]

If the mainshaft nut is loose, any movement on the clutch pushrod will push the whole assembly over without fully lifting the clutch, hence drag. It was not an uncommom ailment at the workshop where I worked in the 60s the lefthanded thread tended to undo, hence the late addition of a locktap.

[Norm]

Doesn't take a loose mainshaft nut to make these clutches drag

[PeteF]

Tv, a good test to see if your clutch is disengaging properly is to see if you can select first at a standstill, engine running, without a clunk. If it clunks the clutch is dragging.
You should be able to select neutral at a standstill too.
If you can't get this to happen then gearchange will always be compromised.
Having said this, it will always be a bit sticky if it's been stood for a while so free it off first.

[Norm]

Peter, and when you come up with a method of achieving this, please let all of us know

[Norm]

The only real way I find I can fix this missing the gears and going into neutral is to move the teeth on the inner ratchet, bastard of a job and I have spent days working on some of these crap boxes to get them to work. The really bad, near impossible ones to fix are the ones in "rebuilt in India" ones, they are close to scrap metal

[Bertie the Bullet]

Almost curtanly clutch related, Bertie has similar trouble, here's what I've done so far, took the cable out of the casket,, it works better without kinks in it, fitted Mr H's gearbox cover stiffening bolt, heavily greased the gear selector parts, don't change up at high revs, change down at even revs if possible, don't use ATF in the primary, it makes the clutch slip, 20/50 is better, select neutral just before stopping at lights etc and lastly keep on top of the clutch adjustment, there is a sweet spot, but it don't stay there for long before you need to adjust it in again.. works for Bertie!