Enfield gearbox any good?

[lingeringstin...]

I've got a plan and I need a seperate motorcycle gearbox. All the usual suspects are "vintage" so they cost a fortune and don't work for shit anyway but you can still get Enfield gearboxes for cheap.

How good are they?

I'll be looking at hooking it up to something no more than 40hp.

I like how the clutch and everything looks fairly sensible on the old 4 speed ones but I know nothing about Enfields. Is there anything to watch out for?

[stinkwheel]

Albion 4-speed is the worst gearbox I've ever used in any vehicle with the possible exception of the Vauxhaull Midi van with 250k miles on it I had a few years back.

And I've ridden bikes with some proper hanging gearboxes. Worse even than my mates ex Estonian Police Ural. Worse than a Jawa 350 twin. Worse than a Minsk 125.

Apparently the 5-speed version is better.

Mine damaged the dogs on first and kept jumping out of gear.

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/distributor/CIMG1306_zps8dea5a9e-1.jpg

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/distributor/CIMG1308_zps6b7fffe7-1.jpg

The indexing on the selector is amusingly prehistoric and badly made.

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/distributor/CIMG1317_zps8c8f1c62.jpg

All that said, it cost about £15 for the new bits to fix it. Most expensive bit was replacing the grease.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[lingeringstin...]

Right then, that's me looking at snowmobile clutches for inspiration.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Rogerborg]

My 5 speed has been OK so far, although I realise I'm tempting fate by saying so. Decent ratios, neither crunchy or rubbery, and I like how there's no resistance above 5th so you don't find yourself trying to go for a gear that isn't there.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[linuxyeti]

The 4 speed gearbox, is an aquired skill !!
____________________
Beware what photos you upload, or link to on here, especially if you have family members on them

[Triton Thrasher]

Saw a box off a Jap bike.
____________________
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Pete.]

BMW gearbox most are 5 speed some 6 speed spline in spline out so adaptable for just about anything. Single plate dry clutch as standard but that's on the engine not the box.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Pete.]

Looking at those chipped dogs I think they could have drawn the temper down a bit more, the corners look fractured rather than rounded from wear. Too hard is my guess.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[linuxyeti]

[lingeringstin...]

After looking around at things I still think a newfangled CVT drive off of something like one of those Piaggio 500cc three wheel scooters (40hp, 100mph) would be easy to fit and cheaper to maintain than an obsolete clutch and gearbox combination.

CVT transmissions are being used on some pretty swish vehicles these days so it's bound to be easier and cheaper than retrofitting old shite.