LCGB Forums

Are the any good quality 4 speed close ratio gear boxes on the market. And what is classed as the better quality and performance?
Before I buy an sx200 box to go with a gt200 kit I want to see what's out there on the market and what's the best options.
Who makes them and what are the costs.

Your thoughts....

I am the only one terrified by the very thought of a fear box?

Why choose the SX200 box? The gap between 3rd & 4th is greater than some of the alternatives, and whilst that box was OK for engines of the late 1960s, it's probably overgeared for a current design 200 kit. (Maybe that's what causes the fear .... ) The Italian Li150 box (with a smaller 3rd to 4th gap) is a better alternative, IMHO - you can always swap sprockets if you find it's undergeared.

Knowledge wrote:I am the only one terrified by the very thought of a fear box?

Apart from the fear, the GT200 should pull the sx box with ease, if looking for a close ratio by a new Indian 200 box and run 19 x 46 as it will give clutch an easier life.
My own Gt200 bolted on with Modded evo pipe performs well with 4.8 final ratio

Rich Oswald wrote:

Knowledge wrote:I am the only one terrified by the very thought of a fear box?

I was too afraid to point it out

bike grim wrote:

Rich Oswald wrote:

Knowledge wrote:I am the only one terrified by the very thought of a fear box?

I was too afraid to point it out

Personally, the experiences that I’ve had with any non- Innocenti/Eibar & Taffspeed gearbox components have not been good.

The Indian (including SIL & AF) & DRT components may be hard, but they are not tough & can break @ the merest provocation, especially first gear. Not just ‘fear’ boxes, more like ‘shear’ boxes....

If you can get hold of the old MSC or Taffspeed CR gearboxes, it’s worth the effort, IMO.

BTW, despite some adverse comments that you may have read elsewhere about the Taffspeed boxes (which are specifically produced ‘bastard’ gears welded on to cut down SX or LI clusters) they are very strong & work well.

Great thanks for all the comments.

Kindest, Lee

Used many gp200 Indian boxes in high hp motors, tried 5 speed and broke starting it but nice drive.
Currently have af close ratio in avanti 30hp + and have thrashed it on road, sprints and dyno runs and still holding up.
Italian and spanish boxes are good but theres few low milage units out there.

Where can i buy a fear box?

Lambretta Sash wrote:Used many gp200 Indian boxes in high hp motors, tried 5 speed and broke starting it but nice drive.
Currently have af close ratio in avanti 30hp + and have thrashed it on road, sprints and dyno runs and still holding up.
Italian and spanish boxes are good but theres few low milage units out there.

They can work well if you're fortunate & very careful.

The slightest clutch clearance problems will soon break teeth off first in particular, so (IMHO) they are not very forgiving. I've even seen them break on start up when already in gear bumping, so not 'crashed' into gear or a clutch issue. They can't take the shock force of even a moderate compression engine....

Was the five-speeder one of the current DRT manufactured 'boxes & how did it break?

Warkton Tornado No.1 wrote:

Lambretta Sash wrote:Used many gp200 Indian boxes in high hp motors, tried 5 speed and broke starting it but nice drive.
Currently have af close ratio in avanti 30hp + and have thrashed it on road, sprints and dyno runs and still holding up.
Italian and spanish boxes are good but theres few low milage units out there.

They can work well if you're fortunate & very careful.

The slightest clutch clearance problems will soon break teeth off first in particular, so (IMHO) they are not very forgiving. I've even seen them break on start up when already in gear bumping, so not 'crashed' into gear or a clutch issue. They can't take the shock force of even a moderate compression engine....

Was the five-speeder one of the current DRT manufactured 'boxes & how did it break?

It looks like I have been lucky because I have been using an Indian GP200 box for over two years now in my combo and although it may not the hp going through it it certainly gets shocks going through it.

Warkton Tornado No1, The 5 speed was drt with 2nd or 3rd issued cluster, probably done 300 miles and went when starting. On a good point the rb230 engine with 35+ hp has been fine with the early 5 speed in for a good while now.
I'll stick with Sil gp200 boxes until i build a motor for the 2 tv200 boxes i have on shelf

Lambretta Sash wrote:Warkton Tornado No1, The 5 speed was drt with 2nd or 3rd issued cluster, probably done 300 miles and went when starting. On a good point the rb230 engine with 35+ hp has been fine with the early 5 speed in for a good while now.
I'll stick with Sil gp200 boxes until i build a motor for the 2 tv200 boxes i have on shelf

What manufacture is the "early 5 speed" gearbox?

If it's an Omega, that's amazing? Apparently...

I have three TV200 gearboxes that I'm hanging on to because I believe they are strong.

If I were you, I would consider using one of yours as a basis for the close ratio box you want. If you still need one...

Something like TV200 first & second, TV175/SX200 third, LI fourth.

By early i mean the rimini 5 speed boxes, yes I'll keep hold of tv boxes as very close box once it gets going and have found some cogs that may work to adapt ratios or other option is to build a motor that will work with it

Rimini Lambretta list a Cortina 4 speed close ratio gearbox.

Wack wrote:Rimini Lambretta list a Cortina 4 speed close ratio gearbox.

I wonder which type they mean....

What about the gori VR4S 4 speed close ratio box?
£425, think Cambridge lambretta stock it?

69GP225 wrote:What about the gori VR4S 4 speed close ratio box?
£425, think Cambridge lambretta stock it?

I've yet to find anyone using one of these. I'm tempted to try one in my RB20 engine that I've used for sprinting as they have a really long 1st gear then 3 close gears, but £425 is putting me off.

I took my Indian GP200 gearbox out of my TS1 as there was tooooooooo big a jump between 3rd & 4th, replaced with a LI150 g/box & the grin factor returned
I've got an Omega 5 x speed (sx150 1st to 4th & sx200 4th as 5th ) in my 200cc Gori, feels abit like the GP200 I took out of the TS.......
@ the end the day it all depends on how you want to ride your steed...........thrashing / wringing its kneck or cruising / posing / touring, your call matey