Well i made it the 150 miles back from stoneleigh ok.

the rattle that developed on the way up is only on the first 4 gears, and sounds like something is brushing up against a rotating object and being spun away. this happens when you release the clutch, BUT it happens even when the clutch is not fully out and also when the gear is engaged and you are moving.

for some strange reason it does not happen in 5th, in the gear box does 5th run on its own shaft?

when running at 40mph in 5th i can hear that the gear box is not a bag of old nails but smooth.

i have thought (as have others) that it is a poorly adjusted clutch cable allowing the thrust bearing to bounce, and also that the fork has come off.

any other thoughts.

ditch

Start with the easy stuff first
Adjust and double check clutch adjustment

or If you slacken it off you'll soon see *if* its the fork holding the bearing

Not something daft like the bearing has broken a clip and detached itself from the fork is it ?

i will do that. it may well be something very silly it normally is with me.

when in the lower gears the car was accelerating very well so im sure it is not the internals.

many thanks

ditch