this seems to be the evening for gearbox problems....
Mine is kickstart. Initially the lever would occasionally go all the way down without turning the engine, and now it does it permanently. I can feel the quadrant meshing with the gear and a slight amount of resistance as I kick down. I've had the side off, and I can see the quadrant engaging the gear as it should. However, the gear it engages with appears to have an external spring under the fixing collar and when I turn it by hand there seems to be some form of ratchet mechanism as I can feel resistance. I don't want to pull the complete gearbox apart, so I wondered if someone can tell me how to get the collar off that is on the shaft outside the gear. - and what might be underneath/inside the gear. Then I might be able to see what is going on. It almost feels like the ratchet (or whatever is in there) might have a broken pawl - but I'm guessing.
All advice welcome
I've discovered a bit more......
The handbook says "...quadrant.....engages with ratchet pinion on shaft...." so it looks like I was right. That pinion gear has an internal ratchet, which I guess must have broken. The question I need an answer to is can that pinion gear be removed from the shaft without completely dismantling the gearbox to get at it. I fear the latter, but confirmation from someone who knows would be appreciated - plus any tips on gearbox dismantling!!