We’ve had an update from AF Rayspeed regarding their 5-speed Lambretta gearboxes this afternoon. After a couple of issues at the BSSO test day at Mallory Park, the company have upgraded some components of their Clo5e Ratio gearbox. The selectors have been redesigned and the metallurgy altered to cope with higher horsepower engines (the failures were in 40-45bhp race engines).
Firstly, the issue was only suffered on race engines and AF Rayspeed said “Based on our previous testing, we do not believe there is an immediate danger in running the gearboxes in road bikes. On that basis, we intend to continue to run the Clo5e Ratio boxes in our own bikes, until the replacement selector is available. We will, of course, update you if that confidence proves to be misplaced.”
AF were extremely quick to act after the failures at Mallory and will be exchanging original selectors for the new design as soon as they’re available (they should be ready at the beginning of June). AF also said “If we get any new information in the intervening weeks we will provide an update and advise accordingly. We are still happy to offer a full refund if you do not wish to keep the Clo5e Ratio gearbox. Sorry for the inconvenience and additional worry this has caused.”
The picture on the right shows the original selector, compared to the updated design (left). The weak points were identified as the small reliefs in the base of the selector legs. In the new design, they have been filled in and where the selector legs join the selector ring the radius is now larger. The metallurgy has also been altered to provide extra strength. AF Said…
These changes significantly increase the integrity of the selector ring by reducing the focus of the stress points, increasing the material thickness and increasing the material core strength.”
AF Rayspeed will also be supplying slightly shorter pawls with the new selector to accommodate the increase to the selector ring diameter. Initially, they may be modified pawls but will be manufactured to the new spec in the future.
We’ll keep you updated when news is released…
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a great response from ray and ben in sorting this out and for £500 it great value