What am I missing here??

The JT1 service manual section 3.15 on splitting the crankcases says to remove the neutral stopper. However, this neutral stopper doesn’t actually interface with anything. It almost appears to do nothing more than plug a hole similar to the oil drain plug.

There is a small bullet nose pin on the shift drum that lines up with the neutral stopper whenever the shift drum is rotated to its full extent against the stopper pin. But the bullet nose doesn’t engage with it in any way. The neutral stopper doesn’t extend beyond the threaded hole.

I have seen that the CT175 has a small spring and ball bearing under that neutral stopper which must actually engage with the shift drum in some way. But both of my JT engines have no additional pieces other than this basic 17mm hex head bolt/plug.

Like I said in my opening sentence….what am I missing here? I see no purpose for this neutral stopper.

youtube.com/shorts/HmclhpCWnbo?si=Hekq_rdPcHxafR4p

The CT spring and ball goes into a divot on the shift drum to help locate neutral which is between first and second.

The small pin on the CT drum grounds the neutral switch.

My opinion is that plug is there on the JT for a neutral switch.  Since neutral is at the end of the shift pattern, there is no need at all for a neutral stopper, the other pin that hits the case does that.

 

I think you nailed it Mark. I found this photo of a JT that had the lighting and gauges. Sure enough you can see the sensor and wire just behind the MADE IN JAPAN. As always, thanks for your quick responses.

imgur.com/a/SoziLY4