Forum

[Steve T]

Hi Andy just a thought for you, if you go to a 5 speed box I think you will find that the bob newby clutch will not fit, as I asked Bob when I picked mine up for a 4 speed box.

[Adrian]

The Newby clutch is available for 5 speed as well as 4 speed gearboxes, both options are sold by our hosts, it will have a different clutch centre depending on which type of mainshaft it is meant to fit. I'm sure Mr Newby could be persuaded to sell you a 5 speed centre separately to save you from having to buy a whole new clutch, if you were to replace the gearbox with a 5 speeder.



A.

[Freddo]

My Thunderbird 350 has the 5 speed gearbox.

My only knowledge of the 4 speed Albion gearbox was derived from reading this article: http://www.midlandbullets.co.uk/gearbox/gearbox.html

[Andy C]

Seriousley thinking about going down the 5 speed route - the bike is going to be a keeper this time so it would be money well spent.

I'll have to see what our hosts say about the clutch centre etc.

[PO51UHD]

I did the 5-speed box conversion on my 350 Bullet Superstar last month. Huge improvement, and I went up 1 tooth on the gearbox sprocket. The ratios are ideal and I don’t miss gears anymore. You’ll definitely need the clutch basket from a 5-speeder too as the input shaft splines are different. I bought both second-hand from MrH. Mine’s a keeper too now I’ve done the mod...!

Stephen

[Alan R]

Hi Guys--------Hi Mark M , how's the cats ??.........Down the years I've had 2 Albion bikes and 2 Bullet '65 machines...and as you folk have found out there just is no comparison..The 5-speed box has a nice, even spread of ratios which seem to match the 500's performance at all levels......Acceleration is improved particularly where that 3rd---------------------------------4th "Grand Canyon" used to be.. Yes, they like any other piece of machinery can wear....my current box tends to overshoot into a false neutral going down from 4th to 3rd..........Paul tells me it's wear in the selector mechanism..he has a very good Youtube vid. showing him at work on this type of fault but I'm sorry to say I can't remember the link !!--Paul, can you help here ??.........Hi Andy C--- Mines definitely now a keeper and have just sold the Honda XBR 500 and Triumph T140 750 to make room....It's now in the process of having reliable internals fitted ....Which reminds me}---- Paul H you haven't replied to my last E-Mail yet ...£££'s waiting just for you --grin !!

[Bullet Whisperer]

Hi Alan, sorry, just replied! I have two videos about the 5 speed gearboxes, here they are ... https://youtu.be/M8QNcabGAKA and ... https://youtu.be/J1fqiZbCI24 ... Regards, Paul.

[Andy C]

Decision made, I'll be ordering a 5 speeder.

Aparrently our hosts can supply a replacement hub that will fit the 5 speed shaft splines and fit the chain driven Newby clutch.

The old 4 speeder will be consigned to the shelf !

[PO51UHD]

Good choice Andy!

If you want to read (and see) how I did mine, get hold of a copy of this month’s RealClassic mag. It shows step-by-step how I did it, including a couple of things I wasn’t expecting. Not including your clutch adapter of course...!

Stephen

[mauri]

parts needed and more info in this thread.