VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
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VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
I have installed the engine and gearbox in the frame of my '54 VH500 for the first time. The gearbox selects gears (engine not running yet) and the clutch operates. However, sometimes the kickstart sticks at the top of its travel and requires some force to get it to move. This happens even with the spark plug removed. It feels like to kickstart ratchet is locking up at the top of its engagement.
I can see no reference in the manual as to how the kickstart lever and ratchet should be positioned on assembly so I just offered it up with kickstart in its highest position.
Any suggestions as to what could be wrong?
Many thanks,
Dennis
I can see no reference in the manual as to how the kickstart lever and ratchet should be positioned on assembly so I just offered it up with kickstart in its highest position.
Any suggestions as to what could be wrong?
Many thanks,
Dennis
1955 VH500 alloy head
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
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Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
hi the GB box is well known for the kick start sticking, i change the ratchet pinion and quadrant and kick start shaft and bushes and i rebuilt the rest of the gearbox with new parts and it was still sticking , i then change the outer gearbox case and now it is ok ( i did try and cutting the first tooth off the quadrant but it didn't fix it )
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Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
Johnny,
Thank you for that information. At least I know mine is not the only one! Based on your experience I will wait and see how things go before I pull the gearbox apart if only because I don't know how to effect any improvement.
Dennis
Thank you for that information. At least I know mine is not the only one! Based on your experience I will wait and see how things go before I pull the gearbox apart if only because I don't know how to effect any improvement.
Dennis
1955 VH500 alloy head
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
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Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
hi Dennis i did find if you pull in the clutch it would free or roll the bike back and forward , and if you need to get gearbox parts try Geoff Brown at the clubs gearbox spares he is very good and helpful and has loads of spares for the gearbox and clutch
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Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
Yes Geoff has helped me with some items and advice recently.
1955 VH500 alloy head
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
- Roger Gwynn
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Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
The kickstart is best positioned at about 11 o'clock.
The sticking is a pretty common fault and is caused by the teeth on the quadrant and the ratchet pinion meeting at the top of the teeth. Usually it can be freed off by de-clutching and giving the lever a sharp kick, otherwise as Johnny says. The cause is usually wear in the the teethed items mainly the ratchet pinion but can be bushes or anything that allows the gears to be out of position by half of a gnat's testical.
The sticking is a pretty common fault and is caused by the teeth on the quadrant and the ratchet pinion meeting at the top of the teeth. Usually it can be freed off by de-clutching and giving the lever a sharp kick, otherwise as Johnny says. The cause is usually wear in the the teethed items mainly the ratchet pinion but can be bushes or anything that allows the gears to be out of position by half of a gnat's testical.
Roger Gwynn, Membership Secretary, curator of the Machine Register and the works drawings. Director of Draganfly Motorcycles, Craven Equipment and Supreme Motorcycles mostly retired.
Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
Hi
In my experience the issue is caused by the teeth on the ratchet gear and the kickstart quadrant clashing, easily cleared by rocking the bike in gear a little, (which moves the position of the ratchet gear). Much less brutal than walloping the kickstart with the clutch in.
Regards Mick
In my experience the issue is caused by the teeth on the ratchet gear and the kickstart quadrant clashing, easily cleared by rocking the bike in gear a little, (which moves the position of the ratchet gear). Much less brutal than walloping the kickstart with the clutch in.
Regards Mick
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Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
Thanks everyone. My kickstart is at 12 o' clock so perhaps it is on the cusp of the top of the quadrant. I will take of the end case off and rotate the assembly back a bit to position the kickstart at 11 o' clock to see if that makes any difference.
Dennis
Dennis
1955 VH500 alloy head
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
Hi Dennis
The kickstart quadrant 'at rest' position is fixed assuming the return spring is working as designed. In order to move the kickstart from 12:00 to 11:00 you only have to remove the lever and refit it on the spline at the 11:00 position.
Regards Mick
The kickstart quadrant 'at rest' position is fixed assuming the return spring is working as designed. In order to move the kickstart from 12:00 to 11:00 you only have to remove the lever and refit it on the spline at the 11:00 position.
Regards Mick
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Re: VH500 GB box Kick start sticking
Mick,
Thanks for that, you have saved me from doing a lot of needless work. I assumed, wrongly, that the quadrant engaged at whatever point you put it back on.
Dennis
Thanks for that, you have saved me from doing a lot of needless work. I assumed, wrongly, that the quadrant engaged at whatever point you put it back on.
Dennis
1955 VH500 alloy head
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
1956 NH350 restoration in progress
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