... gear selection is a nightmare! I'm going to do an engine rebuild this winter and I've been very impressed with your step by step guide, which will be my bible.
Well, Clive, I seem to recall having a similar problem quite a few years ago. So let's take a look at what I discovered and how I put it right.
Taking a look at the ratchet plate assembly (90:1365) I found it was very sloppy on the bracket (90:56) pivot point. It's kept in tension by a spring (90:59) and a cup (90:60), held by a peg (90:61).
However, to improve things further I drifted out the spring cup (90:47), which is in the lower half of the crankcase (see a previous blog), as the slot has very worn and stepped.
Now, my gear change is as good as I can expect from a piece of 'ancient' machinery. But, no, it'll never be a slick and positive as a modern bike. But, what the heck, it has far more charisma about it!