The Second Gear Problem

[bilgeman]

Hello Everyone

To cut it short - bought an NTV off eBay (that's 3 I've got now) and it's fine except for the infamous (!) second gear problem where it jumps when opening the throttle at low revs. I say infamous because I've had about 16 Reveres/NTVs now over the last 20 odd years and this is the first and only one that's had the problem. Suppose I must just have been lucky.

Has anybody else had this and, if so, is there a quick fix for it or is it a new gearbox job? It doesn't affect the riding much, apart from the irrtitation factor and the swearing, but it would be a lot better if it didn't happen.

Cheers, one and all

(How's the green one going, Jan?)

[McF]

You've been lucky so far, many people seem to suffer the second (or sometimes first) gear problem.

The issue is minor, but with significant affects. It's usually a small amount of wear in the selector forks - nothing you would really pay much attention to on a visual check if you stripped the gearbox, but it's enough to give you serious headaches when riding.

Most riders just get on with it and adapt their riding to ignore the problem gear. As you know, aNTy's have a very tractable engine and happily plod around in a high gear at low revs.
I posted a while ago with details of the problem parts and their likely costs - without gaskets or labour, you're probably looking at over £200. Gasket set will add at least another £50, so let free the Yorkshireman in you and take the cheap but irritating way forward.

16 aNTys over 20 years is an impressive "CV" - have you owned many other bikes?

[Buzzin (^_^)]

Like McF said, it happens more often
All I have to make sure of is that I stick it into second properly and firmly....and try not to outrun any racers
Since I figured out how to shift properly....it doesn't bother me anymore...

[Jaz66]

I would like to take the opportunity to reply at this point an defend the NTV/Revere gearbox...But I can't.

You see, the problem is ONLY a problem IF you got the Problem..

me, I ain't got no problem..

Can't slag off the 2nd gear if you ain't got one.... ;D ;D ;D ;D

[bilgeman]

Thanks Everyone

I have to say the problem becomes less of one the more you get used to it. Give it some throttle in 1st and change up firmly as buzzin said. Still catches me out on slow uphill Welsh lanes now and again and dropping down from 3rd sometimes. Otherwise I just ignore it.

McF - yes, had loads of other bikes some better than others. First bike was a BSA C15 in 1970ish. Top speed of 65, weighed a ton and I loved it. Then I had a dreadful 250 Ducati of very dodgy origins which certainly bore no resemblance to the fire engine red beauties that came along later.

First Jap bike was a 250 Honda. Can't remember the model but that was nice. Then a MK2a Norton Commando that blew itself up after 5000 miles. My mate's dad was owed a favour by a dealer in Telford so got him to take the wrecked Norton in part exchange for a 750 K4 (Gorgeous! My girlfriend at the time had cleared off with someone else coz I didn't have a decent bike. Asked me to take her back when she saw this. Won't tell you what I said but it was two words, seven letters, three of them 'f's). Then a CX500, XV750, 650 Katana and loads of Reveres. Had a Pan for a couple of years which I loved but was using it for all-year courier work and it was heartbreaking to watch it gradually desiccating into a pile of rust and corrosion so sold it for 400 quid to a dealer who returned the favour by selling me an overpriced XJ900 which was the worst bike I've ever owned - including the Duke and one of my Reveres which the previous owner had managed to blow the head gasket on and was using a litre of oil to 500 miles. That one went in the bin). It never ran right - jumped and juddered in all gears and I hated it. Had another one after I got rid of that which was miles better but too heavy for the country lanes and farm tracks I have to use daily so it was back to trying to buy up every single Revere/650 in existence. As I say, I've got 3 now. The old one is tired with a slipping clutch, which even replacing the plates and springs didn't fix, but a sound engine. The one I'm using has this gearbox glitch and the best one is just waiting for me to swap the radiator from the old one, which I had to utilise when its own sprung a leak, and then I'm going to keep it for best. Was going to sell it but nobody took the 650 quid starting price on eBay so bugger it.

Hope to start using this site a bit more so looking forward to hearing from any of you.

[McF]

An impressive stable over the years Bilgeman

Surprising how many of us have owned (and proud to admit) a CX500.
I had one of the early plastic maggots and it took me everywhere over a delightful and reliable 9 years of ownership. I dumped her for a "younger woman" when seduced by a CBR600 - she was wild and untamed - ah the lustful pleasures

Back to your gearbox - modify your riding, forget about second and you'll be fine!