Hitchcock's new five speed Albion gearbox conversion.

[Stuart]

Chaps,
It looks as if our prayers have been answered! I see from Old Bike Mart that Hitchcock’s have got Nova Transmissions to create a five speed box that fit’s into the original Albion four speed case. A box that is specifically designed to handle lots of torque! A prototype of the box has been tested on a Rickman Interceptor and come through with flying colours. This particular bike is a big vertical twin capable of putting out a lot more power than your average Enfield.
Allan Hitchcock says: “What I wanted was a five-speed gearbox that would be a cassette type and fit into all of the Royal Enfield models rather than just the twin or single”.
Apparently the cluster is built into the end case and the whole lot just slots into the main case.
Hitchcock's 01564 783 192 for more info.
http://www.oldbikemart.co.uk/

[Diesel Dave]

That's great news,

Can't wait to see the price though.......

It does now open up the option for Sommer Hatz IB40's I'm betting there will be a lot of interest from our German colleagues.

Dave

[thundercougarfalconbird]

it seems they have a 6 speed too, but without overdrive, and it is expensive

http://www.novaracing.co.uk/albion.htm

[oldbmw]

it seems they have a 6 speed too, but without overdrive, and it is expensive

http://www.novaracing.co.uk/albion.htm

These types of gearboxes are better than overdrive boxes because in top gear power is transmitted direct to the gearbox sprocket without passing through any gears, thus reducing power loss. To get the high top gear you want, select the sprockets that give the ratio you want.

[chevy43]

More gears but very narrow range! I hope you don't have to start on a steep hill.

[Diesel Dave]

I have just fitted a close ratio 4 speeder and the ratios are quite close.

Very similar in feel to the 5 speeder without first.

Std ratio's are:

Gear box internal ratios: 1, 1.36, 1.84, 2.78

4 speed close ratio gears are: 1, 1.23, 1.66, 2.50

5 speed gears are: 1, 1.21, 1.52, 2.01, 3.06

The critical parts in getting a 4 speeder to change properly is to ensure the detent plunger has been hardened properly and not worn away and to adjust (file) the throw stops in the ratchet to match the required throw.

Most seem to undershift rather than overshift.

Dave

[Anorak_ian]

it seems they have a 6 speed too, but without overdrive, and it is expensive

http://www.novaracing.co.uk/albion.htm

I have posted this information on my website for the past two years, unfortunatley the gearbox from Nova racing is for a Greeves Albion box and no way compatable with the Enfield box. http://www.dieselbiker.co.uk/gearbox.htm

How ever they did tell me that thay can make one to suit your needs (with what ever gears you choose, overdrive etc) but at over £2000 you must be nuts.

There always was a five speed gear box internals that would fit the 4 speed. Way back in the 1950's Albion made a short run of the aftermarket parts for racing bikes like Vincent’s. However they were in short supply then and totally impossible to find now. They were also the earlier H type gear set not the HG gear set that Enfield’s use today, they were almost the same but more fragile.