Elusive neutral

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MikeG

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Can't understand why neutral has been hard to find lately. Clutch plates are clean, (Barnetts running in ATF) have the pushrod seal anyway. Primary chain is not too tight and the clutch does not drag otherwise. Stack height is correct. Trans shifts fine except for first to neutral. I can find it easily from second when moving but I have to stop the engine if I want to find it at a standstill. This is a recent development and it's got me baffled. I did change the clutch hub bearing last year but I don't recall if thats when the issue started. I did not ride it that much last year so I can't say for sure. Can't imagine that that might have anything to do with it unless I did something on reassembly but what?
 
If everything in the gearbox and primary are "normal" then the usual cause for that is sticking plates. I find that it happens long before you start to notice creeping in first with the clutch pulled in. You probably also get a "clunk" when shifting to first gear. I'm experiencing difficulty finding neutral too, and I have a dry primary (belt drive). I can get it to go but it takes some fiddling. Possibly gummed up from gearbox oil. I need to have a look.
 
MikeG
I can't offer a single solution. I reconditioned the clutch on my '72 Roadster a couple of years ago.
Neutral had been difficult to find.
Trouble is I made several changes at once!
I replaced 2 metal clutch plates which were badly warped, added new friction plates (Surflex type) and also a new clutch centre as the old one was 'notched' (see photo below).
Elusive neutral


Not sure what precisely solved the problem but all is now well with neutral easily selected.
I'd take look at all the plates for wear or warping and check the centre.
Andy
 
Clutch hub was new several years ago, and less than 2500 miles on it since. Looked fine last night after I cleaned and reinstalled the plates.
 
I've seen a too short index plunger spring in a gearbox . Could cause your problem.
 
Problem solved! Ashamed to admit it but my problems were all of my own making. Seems the last TWO times I adjusted the clutch after taking the plates out I failed to back the adjuster at the lever all the way off thus not allowing the clutch to fully disengage. When all else fails check the basics :oops::oops:
 
Probably too much free play in your clutch adjustment. I often see in videos, Norton owners finding neutral before they stop moving. This helps. Give the adjustment next to no free play to prove this.

Dereck

Sorry, thought i posted this yesterday. Funny it was still waiting to be posted.
 
Can't understand why neutral has been hard to find lately.
I found something that significantly improved shifting, particularly into neutral, was careful adjustment of the ratchet spring inside the outer case.
I adjusted the spring to give 5 thou clearance above and below the pawl - worked a treat!
(following screen shots are from OldBritts information - kudos to them!)
Cheers
Rob
Elusive neutral



Elusive neutral
 
I found something that significantly improved shifting, particularly into neutral, was careful adjustment of the ratchet spring inside the outer case.
I adjusted the spring to give 5 thou clearance above and below the pawl - worked a treat!
(following screen shots are from OldBritts information - kudos to them!)
Cheers
Rob
View attachment 18149


View attachment 18150
Thus the English term "fettling". I think we've lasted this long with this brand because we have the patience to fine tune.
 
I believe the term you are looking for to describe said owner is "masochistic".
Yep - I've had some people say to me "Why do you have to work on the bike - you've only recently got it?"
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of what gives pleasure/satisfaction in owning a Norton.
If I wanted something just to ride I might as well have bought a soulless electric bike.
I think that if you've got to explain they'll probably never get it.
 
Yep - I've had some people say to me "Why do you have to work on the bike - you've only recently got it?"
Demonstrates a lack of understanding of what gives pleasure/satisfaction in owning a Norton.
If I wanted something just to ride I might as well have bought a soulless electric bike.
I think that if you've got to explain they'll probably never get it.

That being said I do have a push button bike on standby. :p
 
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