Gear Shift Lever Sticks

travelerjerry · May 21, 2009

I replaced the o-rings on my gearbox outer cover and now I can upshift and the lever comes back to the center position. But when I down shift the lever sticks in the up position and have to tap the lever to put it back to the center position for the next gear downshift.

Any ideas out there? Would it be possible the ratchet spring is inverted the wrong way. Didn't have this problem before. Thank you for your replies.

72 Norton Combat

Blue noser · May 21, 2009

This sounds like just the beginning of major unavoidable problems. The only real solution I can see is for you to sell me the bike at a rediculously low, low price. :mrgreen:

Sorry, I can't help you with this problem, but I'm sure it's only minor and someone on this forum will post some good usefull advice soon.

bigstu · May 21, 2009

Travelerjerry
I believe your problem will be the selector spring, which wraps around the gear lever shaft and the arms on the spring go either side of the selector pawl.
Drain the box and remove the outer cover and check you have about 0.005" clearance on both sides of the half moon shaped pawl. both arms must be JUST clear, not touching, not too sloppy. If not bend the spring with pliers until you have the clearances I recommend.
If this does not work, you can sell the bike bluenoser instead!
Stuart.

swooshdave · May 21, 2009

There are even pics on the Old Britts site.

Keith1069 · May 22, 2009

Think you'll find it's not the pawl spring as that only cocks the pawl for quadrant indexing. What can happen is that the cast lever can catch on the steel baseplate (forget what it's called). Mine was doing that at the rear of the trianglular cutout. Or, the lever is too tight between the outer cover and inner cover faces. Not sure if the large OD washer under the main return spring could be an issue, is it flat? Make sure the main spring is properly seated.

dave M · May 22, 2009

Keith, the same thing happened to me on a rebuild, I simply loosened the two bolts holding the plate in position and repositioned it a fraction away from the pin that was binding on it and retightened.

travelerjerry · May 22, 2009

Thanks bigstu, Keith1069 & Dave M for the info. Hopefully this weekend I'll take the cover off (for the third time) to check it out. Boy that gear oil sure stinks up my garage. Will post a reply if I get it corrected. Jerry

bigstu · May 22, 2009

Take my advice, if that spring is too loose a fit or too tight on the half moon pawl then you will not reselect properly.
If you don't believe me then call up Les Emery at Norvil or Mick Hemmings. They will tell you the same.
I had problems only last month on my Triton, did the mod I suggested and irs sorted.
The problem is if the spring is too tight it stops the pawl from returning to its centre position correctly.
Try and let me know.
Stu

travelerjerry · May 23, 2009

I am happy to report I was able to correct the sticking gear shift leverproblem. Keith 1069 suggestion was culprit. I unloosed the two bolts that secure the Gearshift Stop Plate (04-0052) and moved it towards the center of gearbox cover then tighten. I then put the Ratchet Plate in and gear shift lever and pushed it down & up and it DIDN'T STICK :!: This is something I didn't check prior to assembling the outer cover. I also adjusted the ratchet spring per Old Britts photos. Thanks again for the info and Forum Jerry

72 Norton Combat