Technical Gear change pattern

[Mervk]

Hi all, I have a trike with a Fiat 126 rear end, motor, transmission, axles, wheels and all. It was constructed about 20 years ago, and I have recently bought it and am restoring it to be rideable. I have the motor ticking over quite nicely, however unsure of the gear change and have 3 questions.
1. The gear lever appears to be spring loaded, is this for reverse only? When would I need to press it down?
2. What is the gear pattern, including reverse?
3. There is a switch with two terminals on the end of the gearbox. What does it indicate? Neutral? Maybe reverse?
I have all new body work being made for it, and when painted and fitted, I will post some good pics of it, with engine shots showing the conversion. Thanks to anyone who answers. Cheers, Merv.

 

[ZaphodB]

Q 1 and 2:

With a quick google search I found https://www.ricambio.co.uk/gear-knob-fiat-126-bis
which details the gear positions.

and for Q3:
Item 5 on https://eper.fiatforum.com/en/Drawings/Detail/F/F/126/MD/212/0/0/0/SubSubGroup listed as a RM switch, googling the part number 7696882 that describes it more clearly as a reverse switch

 

[Mervk]

Q 1 and 2:

With a quick google search I found https://www.ricambio.co.uk/gear-knob-fiat-126-bis
which details the gear positions.

and for Q3:
Item 5 on https://eper.fiatforum.com/en/Drawings/Detail/F/F/126/MD/212/0/0/0/SubSubGroup listed as a RM switch, googling the part number 7696882 that describes it more clearly as a reverse switch

Thanks for replying and answering Q 2 and Q 3. Still finding my way around the Fiat world, and obviously not as adept with Google as you. Pleased that switch indicates reverse, and as I have not yet been able to get it to work, I obviously have not found reverse. Can you also answer Q1 for me? Appreciate your reply. Cheers, Merv.

 

[Mervk]

and for Q3:
Item 5 on https://eper.fiatforum.com/en/Drawings/Detail/F/F/126/MD/212/0/0/0/SubSubGroup listed as a RM switch, googling the part number 7696882 that describes it more clearly as a reverse switch

Thanks for highlighting this link. Those drawings are great for someone like me.

 

[ZaphodB]

Not sure but probably like a lot of reverse gear select mechs it'll be a mechanical interlock (or maybe just spring biased) to minimise you inadvertently selecting reverse by accident.

 

[Mervk]

Not sure but probably like a lot of reverse gear select mechs it'll be a mechanical interlock (or maybe just spring biased) to minimise you inadvertently selecting reverse by accident.

Thanks, I'll assume I need push down to select reverse. When in a position to select gears with the motor running, I'll probably find out the hard way. Cheers.

 

[ZaphodB]

Thanks for highlighting this link. Those drawings are great for someone like me.

The eper parts database there is very useful for all the parts on the car, you can back track to (in your case) https://eper.fiatforum.com/en/Groups/F/F/126/MD and then click into any area of the car for part numbers or just the exploded views

 

[124BC1]

Not sure but probably like a lot of reverse gear select mechs it'll be a mechanical interlock (or maybe just spring biased) to minimise you inadvertently selecting reverse by accident.

Thanks, I'll assume I need push down to select reverse. When in a position to select gears with the motor running, I'll probably find out the hard way. Cheers.

Iirc, the gearchange pattern on the 126 is a normal H pattern (1st to 4th gears) with reverse to the right and back. The gear lever is spring loaded to remain in the 3rd/4th plane when no gear is selected , so push forwards for 3rd or pull back for 4th gears. For 1st and 2nd gears, push lever to the left against the (slight spring pressure) and then forward for 1st or back for 2nd. To select reverse, push down on the lever (there's a lockout at the base of the gear lever), push to the right and then pull back. So, much as you have already figured out. And, as already said, the switch is for the reverse light/lamp. (RM =reverse motion).