Kickstart slipping

Hi when you say its slipping do you mean the kick start lever on its spline .

If the kickstart is slipping on its splines, you really need a new kickstart. When you fit a kickstart, make sure you fit a high tensile bolt so you can get it really tight. Some pattern kickstarts pinch together when you tighten them - if so, put it in the vice, pinch it together and then use a hacksaw with two blades or suchlike to open up the gap. When you finally put the kickstart on, some locktite on the splines and a bit of muscle power on the bolt should do the trick.

The only other real cause of 'slipping' is if the clutch is slipping which should be reasonably noticeable when the bike is ridden. Clutch slip is a fairly common problem on Commandos which can be caused by:

Incorrect adjustment.

Worn clutch plates

Contaminated clutch plates (oil etc.)

There are numerous 'fixes' and modifications which can improve things. If this poves to be the problem I suggest you do a web search etc. on the subject.

Hi

Oldbritts has a wealth of good information on gearbox matters... is it left or right foot change?

As someone who has just overhauled my Mk3 box I would recommend you have new gaskets to hand (both inner and outer covers need removing to access the pawl) and hope any previous 'visitors' have left the clutch lever locking ring in good order... A bit of heat is advised when undoing this, special tools are available too.

If your gearchange is currently okay I'd forego renewing the ratchet pawl spring, as that innocent looking piece of bent wire can give major frustration!

Bottom line: Don't rush it, and if something doesn't appear to fit, beating it into submission is rarely productive (though satisfying in the short term)

Have fun....

Previously AJ Walker wrote:

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies.

Its not slipping on the spindle (was tight as a badgers when trying to get that off), its only partly grabbing sometimes and then slipping through when pressure is applied downward. I had read about kickstart pawl's wearing and can cause this problem and so was going to leap into opening the gearbox covers this weekend and check it out.Just wanted a quick walkthrough of the process if possible, and or things to watch out for when delving in to this area as Im a gearbox virgin!

PS: how do you get email notifications of replies with this website?

You seem to be describing a worn out pawl inside the layshaft first gear (attached to the kickstart spindle). You should really watch Mick Hemmings' DVD on the gearbox rebuild. He describes this repair quite thoroughly. If you are going to look inside the gearbox you might as well catch all the other disasters that are waiting to happen.

I think I would replace both

Paul:

You might get away with just renewing the pawl as it is seriously worn.

Nice photos by the way. What camer are you using?

Mike

Previously AJ Walker wrote:

Hi, I have the gearbox open now. Does the gear look worn enough to replace as well?

Your gear looks like all my first gears. I would go ahead and use it. It is a lot harder metal than the pawl.