Bolex 18 5 Super Question

[Bill]

Was given a Bolex 18 5 Super recently. As clean and mint as can be - NICE! Now the problem - 18fps doesn't seem to work. 5 works great but when switched to 18 it still runs at 5fps. Image quality seems very good. Anyone familiar with this machine? Any guesses as to what to look at to fix it.

[71er]

I had a quick look into my Bolex 18-5 Super and couldn't really make out how the transition between 18 and 5 fps is done. When taking the backside off there is a connection between the speed selector switch and the motor axle including a spring; when you switch between 18 and 5 fps an arm slides on the axle and changes something. It looks like the motor is always running same speed and the change in fps is done mechanically; but I can't really figure out how. Check whether this connection I described is intact in your machine.

[Bill]

Check whether this connection I described is intact in your machine

Yes!! There's a little spring loaded blade/switch under the axle area. I manually gave it a little nudge and it worked AND now i seems to switch correctly. Thanks for the help. How do you like the Bolex, BTW.

[71er]

I have a 18-5 for Regular 8 and one for Super 8. They both never let me down but the Super 8 one doesn't like old (slightly shrunk) film, picture starts to jump then.
I would never give them away.