SC
OOTERINGPRA
CTICAL
youare stripping the transmission
down for any reason, to replace it.
They are cheap to buy and
readily available.
Wishbone
The final part of the linkage in the system
is the wishbone, which connects to the
cursor that actually selects each gear.
The contact with the selector is made
with two pawls that sit on opposing sides.
The wear takes place where they house
into the wishbone. They can be replaced,
but it may be that the holes on the
wishbone are also worn, so check both
parts rather than just replacing the pawls.
There is no other wear that can occur on
the wishbone, as it sits onaseries of
splines on the gear shaft. If there is play
here then something is seriously worn,
but is very unlikely.
Summary
There are two things that control the
movement on the Lambretta gear change
system: cables and linkage. Whether there
is excessive play or not is felt by the hand
holding the handlebar gear selector.More
often than not when the play is excessive,
it is simply put down to slack in the gear
cables, which is simply resolved by
tightening the adjuster block sitting on
top of the engine casing.
As you can see from this article there is
far more to it than just that. Each section
along the linkage chain can have wear and
causeacertain amount of play that
adjusting the cables themselves simply
won't get rid of.
Once the system is completely checked
and overhauled where necessary,itmakes
the whole Lambretta driving experience
far more pleasurable.
Words&Photographs:Stuowen
The brass bush for the gear shaft can wear and give
excessive play,soreplace when required.Always
check it if the transmission is stripped down, as
it’seasier to replace during this process.
The earlier type gear shaft arm, which bolts to the shaft. This can come loose very easily,soshould be
checked regularly.Wear in the gear selector pawls and wishbone will happen over time. Just because they can’t be seen doesn’t
mean they should be ignored.