Forum

[Mr Grumpy]

Hi I recently rekindled interest in my 65 Hitchcocks are still as helpful and professional as always when ordering the parts I needed.Part of my lack of use has been sprag clutch worry's which is a shame as its a pleasant ride. I see that Hitchcocks have developed a system that should really improve reliability its expensive at £499 +VAT and postage but would be well worth it to greatly improve reliability. Having arthritis in my ankle makes me loath to strip out the sprag clutch and just rely on the kick start.Has any one fitted this system I would be grateful for any information.

regards

Kev

[PeteF]

A friend of mine just fitted this system and everything seems good over the first few hundred miles.
Apparently, during development, Hitchcocks tried to break on by setting the timing too advanced but couldn't.

[Mr Grumpy]

Thanks for that Pete.

regards
Kev

[neddy]

If the 65 is set-up/tuned correctly, will not damage the sprag, use de-compressor to kill engine every time

[Mr Grumpy]

Hi Neddy

I do use the decompressor for switch of 99.9% of the time apart from the odd occasion forgetting ( My other bike is a 1200 bandit and the controls are the same apart from the decompressor being the choke on the Bandit)On the for sale noticeboard nettshubby had a Sprag failure on his 65 and having met the chap he is in my opinion an excellent mechanic. So I believe it can still happen the expense to me would be worth it if it reduced greatly the chance of it failing and I could really enjoy riding it with out worrying if it will get home under its own power or on an RAC trailer!The bike starts 1st touch even when its been stood a while and runs I think very well although I have just had arrive from Hitchcocks a new head gasket etc as it seems to be leaking in on the pushrod side. I am not bothered about go faster bits I have the Bandit for being a geriatric hooligan on but I would just like reliability.

Regards

Kev.