When you say you have lost first gear I presume the gear is freewheeling in both directions in first? If that is the case either the gear is incorrectly adjusted or the low gear pawls are gummed-up with rust or varnished oil. This is a problem with hubs that have been neglected for many years or filled with the wrong oil.

If you attend one of my Sturmey Archer courses you will learn how to solve this problem, and many others. I should be running the first course later this year. Please let me know if you are interested in learning more about the course.

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