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[GLarsen]

Hi guys

New around here and also a complete newbie when it comes to bikes in general and Enfields in particular and I'm a bit stumped, even when working on cars transmissions have never been my strongest point

I've tried searching the net for a solution to my problem but I've come up blank

I have what I believe to be a 1999 Bullet 500, no idea if it's an export but I assume so. Sold new in Denmark (I think) and then later brought to Norway

My problem, aside from neutral being much easier to find than any gear but that's something I'll look into later, is that I can only get 1st through 3rd unless I reach down and lift the neutral lever with my hand and then it goes into 4th without moving the actual gear lever. Then the problem changes to only having 2nd through 4th and how I manage to get it back to "1-3 mode" is a bit of a mystery but it usually involves using the neutral finder and then several attempts at going for 1st .... which usually happens sooner or later but it makes driving in traffic less than enjoyable.

I've already ordered Pete Snidal's workshop manual but that's probably another week away from getting here and I'd like to get started on this problem

From what I've read elsewhere I gather these transmissions can have a bit of a "personality" and takes a bit of getting used to, and may not be assembled to the same level of accuracy one might expect from a more modern vehicle, but I'm quite okay with that but on this particular subject I'm totally blank

This bike has been sitting for a number of years and I've managed to get it running properly after cleaning up the carb and adjusting it properly but that only takes common sense, some logical thinking and being careful.

Any and all help will be most appreciated and please keep it simple, while I've got 35 years experience with cars I only have about 35 days worth of experience with bikes

[Exile]

I had a similar problem with mine. It's a 500cc Bullet from 2003 and it had stood still for 8 years, having only covered 1750 km. I fitted the 'gearbox cover strengthener', not that it has much to do with the gearbox but it takes the flex out of the gear box cover and improves the clutch movement. Look on page 54 in the Hitchcocks catalogue, part no. 90221. It helped with mine. Fitting it was easy.

A little trick you could try, is to hold the clutch lever in and kick the engine over (with the ignition off) a few times before you start the machine. This will help loosen the clutch up if it is sticking.

I'm certain the gurus that are here will be able help. You are in good company here. Welcome aboard.

[papasmurf]

There is no if about the clutch sticking, it is the nature of the beast even if used every day.

[ceb]

Hi Lars most gear change problems stem from the clutch dragging.l have a 2000 350cc bullet and had problems when l first bought it.make sure all your clutch plates are completely flat l had to replace all the plain plates.the strengthener is a good idea so is filing the perch on the handlebar lever it gives a little more movement of the cable arm in the outer cover of the gearbox every little bit of extra movement helps.also check that the selector inside the outer gearbox cover is set up correctly as per device manual.also check the pillar studs that hold the selector plate are tight.I found mine loose when I had gear selection problems the selector plate was flopping about.I could not get first gear at all and the rest were very difficult.I hope this helps somewhat.

[GLarsen]

Thx guys


Clutch dragging, ok, well I can't actually feel it dragging as I would assume I would when I engage 1st while stationary and with the engine running but like I said I'm new to bikes so if you say that's a common problem on these then I'll try and look into that


Gearbox cover strengthener, I'm not opposed to buying parts to fix something but this bike is only 15 years old and has only 5k miles or so on the meter so it would seem difficult for anything to actually wear out. Deteriorate because of not being used, sure, but to the point of needing to modify stock parts to get them working ? Is this something that you can observe happening, the cover flexing or something ?


Check pillar studs, I assume this happens because of vibrations or something ? I'll try to check those later when the weather improves as I'm having to work on it outside at the moment.


I don't have a workshop manual yet, it's ordered, so I'm not tearing down too much until that's here.

[neddy]

If its been standing some years, pull the clutch and anything associated with it apart and check/clean all and set up as manual states before buying anything

[Beezabryan]

I might wait until I had Snidals manual and had time to read it & read it again until you understand it before doing anything.

[Count Johnny]

You are making a, not uncommon, mistake of presuming that things were fit for purpose to begin with.

[Beezabryan]

".... bike has been sitting for a number of years ..."
Any machine in this condition is going to need attention and it does not mean " ...that things were fit for purpose to begin with."

[Beezabryan]

Apoplogies, my thick fingers are not fit for purpose
My comment should end with " mistake of presuming that things were fit for purpose to begin with."