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Poor gearchange Notchy difficult to find neutral

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Now my bike has a Quaife 5 speed, but it is a stiff old thing, sure itll change but selecting neutral is hit and miss and its not a smooth change to any gear, suggestions on getting it back to factory standards, although that might have to be the Quaife factory..ahem

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I had a similar problem with the set up on my 1967 650SS. In my case it was the clutch that was the problem. Mentioned it here and was advised to check the rollers that the clutch basket rides on. Took the primary chain case cover off and started the bike, could see the clutch basket was moving to the left thus causing clutch to drag as effectively the clutch was re engaging and neutral was impossible to find (as seen while sitting on the bike). Installed +.002 thou rollers and problem was solved as the basket remained in place. Your problem maybe the same and not a gear box problem at all. Good luck in sorting it out and let us know please what you find.

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Hi William,  Glad to hear the roller swap did the job. Where did you find them and were they expensive?.   

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Second that - it sounds like a dragging clutch. Different clutch on a Commando. Easy things to do, in order:

  1. Adjust the clutch to the manual
  2. Check the nut holding the clutch on the mainshaft is tight
  3. Check the circlip that locates the clutch on the mainshaft
  4. Strip the clutch, clean the plates and check they're flat
  5. Inspect the clutch release bearing and locating circlips
  6. Inspect the clutch centre splines - get notched by the plates

Quaife will shift as well as a standard 4-speed.

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Robert, found the .250 +.002 rollers on eBay and thank you once again for your advice. Seem to remember the 15 cost me about £30.00 so expensive. Back to this thread, quite right a Commando clutch is different I missed that in my initial response. Still believe it’s more likely a clutch issue and agree a good place to start would be checking all the plates to be sure they are flat. Once again good luck and please keep us posted

 


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