Hi Norm, The first VC self drive mowers have a similar drive as the Honda then the later Victa self drive mowers are how you describe them having the over run clutch and gear assembly.
The first thing I do is remove the rear wheels and check the drive gears free wheel in one direction but will drive in the reverse direction when the axles are being driven by the gearbox.
If the gears are driving the wheels in reverse,I would think that the over run clutch needs repairing or replacing.
The only other way the drive gears can work in the opposite direction is if someone puts the left over run clutch and drive assembly on the right hand side, so if they are installed on the wrong side they drive in reverse because one is for the left side only the other is right side only..
This self drive setup is nowhere near as durable as the first self drive Victa mowers that used a friction drive on the treads of the tyres.
