What is that saying about lightening, you know, striking twice! When my first gear change actuating rod failed, the replacement received under warranty was the wrong configuration. It was longer and it’s curve much less acute than the failed component. As such, the rod contacted the underside of the primary case before the gear selector arm had rotated sufficiently to engage first gear. Did’nt matter how the rod was adjusted. The dealer sent it back to Norton for investigation and stole one off a bike in the dealership to get me back on the road.
Yes, you guessed it, my second replacement is of the same incorrect configuration - received a few days ago. What are the chances I hear you say? Must admit that I have started to doubt myself but this is a pretty simple mechanical proposition right, it either fits and enables gear selection or it does’nt. And it does’nt! See pics below for a good laugh at my expense (I really don’t mind) or to offer those pearls of wisdom that so often get we technically challenged members out of the poop!
Am I going nuts, or is it too late - I’m already there! Wibble!
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Here are the manuals from Coote's :Hi FE - had to laugh at that. You can imagine Norton receiving the faulty component back, taking a (very) quick look and throwing it back into stock on top of the pile. Not too much of a stretch that I got it back! Advancing the gear selector arm one tooth, after marking it of course, was my first action. Bike went through the gears (on stands) nicely, 1,2,3 until 4th, which could not be selected as the selector arm contacted the rear of the primary cover as shown.
View attachment 19769As Tony has noted the selector arm needs to be angled directly down at rest. Mine appears to be so, as can be seen in comparison to Richard’s bike in his manual on primary cover removal.
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Centering of the gear change mechanism would have impact of course if it was out of adjustment but, the selector arm appears correctly aligned. I have had two rods now with the more acute curve that operate the gears correctly (one original on purchase of bike, the other from a Mk2 in the showroom). I’ve also had two replacements of significantly different configuration that do not function with a previously working gear change mechanism. Go figure. More than one pattern? Bike model variations? Different manufacturers? Poor quality control? Who knows.
Having a little trouble with Richards site at the moment Tony- regional address error. Can you advise which of the manuals covers the centering of the gear change mechanism? There are several related to the gearbox.
Thanks guys, just gonna keep chipping away until I resolve this pretty basic problem. I’ll finish the sleeved rod and ask Norton to provide another rod to see what we get. My guess is a third configuration - it is hand built after all.
Heavy boots
Heavy boots? Piddly 6mm thread operated at an irregular angle? Incorrectly adjusted gear selector mechanism? Lock nuts acting on a weak thread? Overtightened? Different pattern rods with acute curve? Poor quality control? Etc etc. Or, a combination of the above? They are failing though and no doubt many more will - it will ruin your ride and/or strand you if it occurs. Not to mention safety implications. Not (if at all) just heavy boots Britfan IMO. Ignore it at your peril mate! Difficult to prove a negative of course.
By the way.....What kind of boots do you wear?
Oh,............... you may be right after allLighten up, Stephen. It was a tongue in cheek reply. That said, I do see gents wearing these huge Doc Martins. Also, that problem has been mentioned a few times but the minority. Got 13K on mine. Now its going to break. Thanks for jinxing me.
!Just been checking mine out and it looks good but 2 things strike me, bend on mine looks shallow, later issue? But why 2 locknuts at the front end. 2 nuts horsed together, resultant stress on the thread etc. etc. Ive backed the 2nd one off, hopefully, with my heavy left foot, old injury, it'll be reet.
They would match my underpants...Don't really see anything wrong with them.
A lot more sensible than my normal riding boots.
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Hey Al, have a good read of this thread. Your points are valid and discussed. Getting to be a lengthy thread for a rather simple failure I admit. That’s another thing I like about this forum - problems are put into an arm lock and wrestled to the ground until they submit!
A little tough on the upshift. Going to scratch your cases. Better to use as spurs.Don't really see anything wrong with them.
A lot more sensible than my normal riding boots.
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Lovely job, artisan engineering!
OK, very nice work, but now you have to add some engraved scroll patterns to the surface to finish it off.
