4th gear problem

I'm having trouble engaging 4th gear on my 72 Interstate. At times I have to force the gear lever down and the transmission sort of clunks into gear. I have had the machine for many years and it is a problem which has slowly worsened over time. It only happens when I am riding. The clutch is fine as I pulled it apart several weeks ago and it was ok. regards Neil

I'm sure someone will need a bit more info, in order to help. New problem? While on center-stand, or while driving? Problems with other gears....etc? :wink:

Is the clutch dragging?

Neil,
*I now see that you have edited your original message and have added extra information*


My original reply to your message has therefore been deleted.

Hi L.A.B., I have had the machine for many years, the problem has slowly got worse over time. There are no problems selecting other gears. I have pulled the clutch apart, however it was all ok. regards Neil.

L.A.B. said:

Neil,

Have you just bought this machine?

Or have you been riding it for some time and has this problem either occurred all of a sudden or just slowly got worse over a period of time? And I assume there's no problem selecting any of the other gears? Please could you give more info.

Click to expand...

Neil NICOLAO said:

I have had the machine for many years, the problem has slowly got worse over time. There are no problems selecting other gears. I have pulled the clutch apart, however it was all ok.

Click to expand...

Then I suppose we must assume this is a general wear problem, and the only way to really check is to strip the box?

One thing that could be worth checking, after removing the outer gearbox cover, does the selector quadrant look as if it has come into contact with the top of the inner cover slot? As that could stop the selector mechanism from fully selecting top gear?
If so, then the inner cover can be removed and the slot filed to give more clearance, BUT that may only cure the symptom rather than the cause which could be wear in the selector mechanism = selector forks, camplate tracks, camplate spindle and bush, quadrant spindle/bush, ratchet mechanism, etc....etc...