Hi Guys

First a big thank you for all the info and enlightment I found here! For many years I own, drive and fix the most on my 1970 Commando Fastback. I do at least one bigger tour in Europe every year.

I can't engage first gear while motor is running. To me it seems ok with engine off. First gear shifts slowly in. So I blame the clutch for not opening good enough. Clutch center has just little signs of use. Clutch plates are wet and sticky from gearbox 90 oil. Primary is filled with proper amount of 20-50 oil.

Steps I plan to do: replacing the clutch stack with the parts that norvil UK recommands. Adding the famous clutch rod seal. Parts are ordered.

My question: how about letting out the oil of primary case and greasing the chain instead?

Question 2: I measure 4mm equals 0.157" pushrod travel when operating the clutch lever. Is this value normal?

Thanks!

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

After disassembly and cleaning use just enough engine oil to wet the chain while running and don't fill it as much as the book says.
That way you don't wet the clutch from the outside. The clutch rod seal (which I make and sell to norvil) will keep the gearbox oil out.
I measured about .13" of clutch rod travel on my gearboxes.
Even the atlas one has plenty of lift for the commando clutch.

David, thanks a lot for your answer!
I will do what you propose. In meantime I replaced all the parts. Clutch is doing fine now, no slip, no drag and was never that easy to operate. Bdw, Norvil is a good source for parts, good suplier!

My mainproblem still consists. First gear don't gets in while motor is running. With motor off, it works but first just sneaks in slowly not as the other gears. My idea is to replace the spring 040442 "Cam plate plunger spring". I guess this spring is "tearing" the gears in and is maybe weak.

How about other sources for problem with first gear? Any ideas?

Greets from Switzerland! biky

sad news:
For test, I reinforced the mentioned spring by adding a second one. While motor is off, now first jumps in verry well. With the motor running, no way to engage first gear! Makes me crazy! I am out of ideas. Do I really have to take out the gearbox again?