rebuilt gearbox issues

I just finished a rebuild on my mk3 gearbox. i am able to go through all gears using the bolt for the quadrant cam plate but with the gearbox back in the frame I tried shifting with the shift lever and it moves up and down but won't go into gear. Also when I installed the clutch and try to turn the motor over with a socket on the crank shaft it seems very tight when I remove the the clutch tension plate it frees up again. I am definitely a noob to British bikes and I have been trying to research this forum and sites like old britts for answers but I'm feeling stumped.

you may not be in neutral

instead of a wrench, put the bike on the center stand and see if the rear wheel rotates forward easily, if not you are not in neutral

regarding your clutch, is it possible the plates are not separating to allow shifting?

have you the shop manual to follow to set the clutch tension plate correctly, about 3/4 of a turn out from seated on the threaded bolt inside the primary clutch inspection cover

KevinS said:

I am able to go through all gears using the bolt for the quadrant cam plate but with the gearbox back in the frame I tried shifting with the shift lever and it moves up and down but won't go into gear.

Click to expand...

It sounds like either the pawl isn't engaging with the ratchet plate, (ratchet spring installed/adjusted incorrectly) in which case you would only feel return spring resistance when the lever is moved through its range of travel, or, the quadrant could be mis-timed to the cam plate?

https://www.oldbritts.com/gearbox_a.html

L.A.B. said:

KevinS said:

I am able to go through all gears using the bolt for the quadrant cam plate but with the gearbox back in the frame I tried shifting with the shift lever and it moves up and down but won't go into gear.

Click to expand...

It sounds like either the pawl isn't engaging with the ratchet plate, (ratchet spring installed/adjusted incorrectly) in which case you would only feel return spring resistance when the lever is moved through its range of travel, or, the quadrant could be mis-timed to the cam plate?

https://www.oldbritts.com/gearbox_a.html

Click to expand...

I'm with L.A.B. on this one. I would check the ratchet spring... make sure the dog leg bend is at the bottom and that the half moon gearshift pawl is facing the correct way.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

Kevin,

The ratchet spring must be perfectly adjusted and properly oriented or you wont get in gear.

George