Put my worries and shifting at ease please.......

[britman]

As I am new to the world of "Goose" ownership I could really use the input of you folks who know these machines from the inside out.  I am been through the Guzziology Bible, researched numerous threads here and from other Guzzi sites and still don't know if I am on the verge of a major problem, or just discovering an idiosyncrasy of an Italian machine.  The bike is a 2000 Bassa with a little over 12 k on the clock.  Runs great and handles like a dream, but on at least two occasions after some distance riding, I have had an issue with getting the bike back into first gear.  The shifter will not engage the bike in first immediately, but after some tapping it will eventually go.  The rest of the gears go like butter, up and down.  I re-installed the rear shifter peg with a Harley type since the previous owner was only using the front peg to shift, and I really enjoy the heel toe set up with my size 12's.  I am running Lucas 80/90 dino in the box, with the correct amount finally.  (I was going to go with a synthetic but read a couple of posts concerning the effects it may or may not have on the plastic bits in the unit.  I even run a synthetic in the box of 64 Bonney which the manufacturer claims is not harmful to the softer brass metals.  I damn sure don't want to start another oil thread, but could really use a consensus on this point.)    Of course I have checked the linkage from front to back and it seems to be tight, that includes the rear shaft lever.  I have not tried any adjustments so far and kind of in the wait and see mode.  There is an upright piece at the rear of the linkage set up that has two holes for the rod from the shifter, the rod is installed in the last hole, correct setting?  Like most of us here on the East Coast I am running out of riding season so I will trying to access this problem as much as possible weather permitting.  I do fell better reading that the shifter return spring is not as prone to breakage or fatigue on my year of production, but of course that is looming in the my thoughts.  Thanks one and all for any input you can provide, and you guys can't make me feel any better there is always Coors Light.......

Sure hope it doesn't come to this, but at least you know I have been checking......

 http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=81473.0

[chuck peterson]

Time for a clutch adj at the lever and the back of the tranny at 12k?

Check the linkages aren't getting hung up by watching it all move slowly by hand..I was hitting the frame once and doing the same thing

Love the heel/toe

[fotoguzzi]

is there a little play in the clutch lever when out?  maybe just need adjustment. will it tap in with a little rev of the motor? rest foot on lever to preload and give a blip to the throttle..

not related but, new to Guzzi you say, these motors like to rev unlike a Harley so don't be afraid to get on it shifting above 4k, even higher is fine..

[Zoom Zoom]

There are a couple things I might suggest:

On all my 5 speeds, I have always run the gear grease with the moly additive like what I run in the rear drive. They seem to like that and shift a bit better.

Next, I move the short linkage rod to the outside hole on the bell crank. Doing that shortens up the throw just a little. (Also, you might discover the shifter is hitting the trim when you are trying to get to first. That can be adjusted with the long linkage rod.)

Next would be clutch adjustment. First the pivot on the back of the transmission, then the bottom of the cable, then fine tune the top at the lever. If the lever on the back cannot push the push rod in far enough to fully disengage the clutch before it bottoms out, that can cause what you are describing.

**It is important you still have a little play in the clutch pivot when not in use so the throw out bearing is not under load.**

Finally, if everything seems to be adjusted properly, and nothing is hitting something preventing further movement, try gently easing out the clutch while you are pushing down on the shifter. Sometimes, just getting the gears to move a little in the transmission will let it fall into gear.

John Henry 

[charlie b]

Something I found on mine.  After the engine heats up the clutch adjustment becomes a little looser.  So, I will readjust the clutch at the hand lever after about 100miles.  Mine is due to having had the clutch plates overheat and warp several years ago when I was in some serious stop and go traffic (yes, it was my fault).

[Fuzzy]

I'm on a small block so it may be irrelevant, but when warm, my downshifts, especially into 1st, are more positive and reliable when I am coasting into a stop, or simply moving, rather than when I am stopped. So, in my case, I will call it a quirk. Bassa owners may, and probably do, have other experiences.

[rocker59]

The bike is a 2000 Bassa with a little over 12 k on the clock.  Runs great and handles like a dream, but on at least two occasions after some distance riding, I have had an issue with getting the bike back into first gear.  The shifter will not engage the bike in first immediately, but after some tapping it will eventually go. 

Are you rolling or stopped when you can't get the bike into 1st ?

If stopped, you simply need to let the clutch lever out just a little bit to get the internals moving, and it will slip right into gear.

[RANDM]

Are you rolling or stopped when you can't get the bike into 1st ?

If stopped, you simply need to let the clutch lever out just a little bit to get the internals moving, and it will slip right into gear.

Beat me to it - my B Money Waster does this regularly.
Light pressure on the gear lever, ease clutch lever slowly
out until the plates just kiss lightly and it'll slide right in.
Alternatively pull in the clutch lever, light pressure on the
Gear change and roll the bike a few inches forward or back.

Maurie.

[britman]

Thank you one and all, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to give your advice.  I rode "Snowflake" to work today, 40 degrees this am, 60 this afternoon and it shifted perfectly.  I am relatively sure it is not the shifter return spring so I am just going to smile and ride on.  Owning a new brand is like a first time parent, you boil the binky if falls on the floor with the first one, after the second or third blow the dog hair off and pop it back in...........