Issues selecting 2nd only when cold

First off, this is our second clipper, this ones called george and he's a 93 clipper 1.8 carb. We bought him this week and he's already had to have a battery and need a bit of a tune up. 

So this is a bit of an odd one I can't figure out.
From cold, when changing from 1st to 2nd it will crunch into gear, only 1st to 2nd, however after about 5 mins of driving its fine, no trouble at all. Both my wife and myself have had the exact same issue.

Any ideas?

Have you checked the gearbox oil level?
The crunch from 1st to 2nd is a common problem with these gearboxes, it means the syncromesh if failing. An oil change might help get a bit more live out of the gearbox the oil is often neglected and never changed.

Oh dear that sounds terminal!?

Change the oil for some new stuff and see if that helps, I usally try the cheaper option first!
Handy tool to remove the drain and filling plugs if you dont have a 17mm allen key
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-1x-17mm-Hexagon-3-8-Square-Drive-Drain-Plug-Key-Professional-Tool-/350698932366?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item51a749088e

Cheers

Use synthetic oil too - some people claim this helps to sort the crunch.

As long as you're gentle with it when cold then the problem shouldn't get any worse

apparently this is a common problem i think, mine didnt do it when i first got it, but does every now and then when cold , if i change into second gently it wont do it

try redline mtl, best oil for 020 boxes but it may already be too late to save that syncro. opie oils does it, need 2 bottles. search the site for mtl, then squint at the pictures one of the bottles has mtl written on it, buy that one

As said above, the synchro ring has worn, thinner oil can help depending on how bad, but to sort it properly is a box strip down and replacement ring.