76 250 MC5 six speeder?

[tomale]

I was looking through one of my manuals and noticed that my bike could come as either a 5 or 6 speed. Was the 6 speed for the enduro bikes. Were they a closer ratio? Would it take a whole new gear box to get the 6 speeds. When I bought it I was told that I had a 6 speed but to my disappointment I only have a 5 speed. It is plenty fast enough and I would not want to change now but was wondering what the differences were.

Thom Green,I own and ride a 76 250 MC5 MX which I bought new.

[Steve Minor]

Tom...Other POG members have a greater knowledge about this than I, but from what I understand, the MC model and Enduro models both start out as 6 speeds. It's just that on the MC, 1st gear is "pinned" in such a way as to eliminate it.In other words, "your" 1st gear is actually 2nd gear on the Enduro model. I've read entries from other members who have "un-pinned" 1st gear so it is again usable. Perhaps another POG member can give more information.

 

[rob w]

Thom, for more on that, click on search, above "login". Type in "MC5 Transmission" by member "rcrump", last post 10-14-02.


 

[tomale]

rob, thanks
I now have two manuals one I got from H&H which is a general maintance book the other is just on the motor and is much more complete. It should have all the info in that. Not sure whether I will make the change though. I thought maybe it would have been another top gear. I can see where a lower gear would be handy in the woods. Mine was sold as a KTM 5 speed and not a Penton and it was set up for Motocross, which all makes sense. Thanks once again.

Thom Green,I own and ride a 76 250 MC5 MX which I bought new.

[Mike Lenz]

There are two different 5 speed shift drums. with one all you have to do according to the manuel is replace a bolt thru the bearing cover with a shorter one [if you have the five speed already] to go from 5 to 6 gears. COOL! The earlier way they "made" the five speeds was apperantly whith a different shift drum. The first info was in a 78 manuel. the different shift drum info was in a 77 manuel. I wish mine were 5 speeds. I have to gear mine way up to get first usable because if I dont I tend to shift into first in tighter mx corners which is way to low. However the gap is twice as wide between first and second as it is between second and third, too wide for mx. A five speed would be perfect for mx. Anybody want to trade lower ends?

 

[tomale]

well then I guess the thing to do is to leave well enough alone. I plan to ride it the way it is and then park it and restore it to all original. Which should not be too hard. since it is almost there now. Got to find those stock side covers though. I put them away and now I can't find them. So some time in the future I may be willing to sell my aftermarket Alum.sidecovers and that custom pipe that generates more mid range. I think I get two or three extra ponys out of the deal. I will need to come up with some more cash before I do anything more to this bike. Having six gears is appealing but not like that. Happy trails

Thom Green,I own and ride a 76 250 MC5 MX which I bought new.

[Mike Lenz]

I will pay you top dollar for the alum side panels and pipe when you decide to sell them. ML851@aol.com is my email. Please print this out, file and call me!