V50 clutch pressure plate centering

[Harley PHD]

   I finally got the 1980 V50II back together with the replacement 1982 V50 Monza engine.  I'm having trouble with the clutch.  With 1/16 inch free play at the lever, the clutch drags in gear with the clutch lever pulled fully to the grip.  I can adjust all the free play out, but the clutch engages right off the grip.  With the 1/16 free play when pulling in the clutch lever I can feel the 1/16 free play stop and the next half of travel a stiffer free play, and the final half of travel a much harder pull, the clutch plate moving.  I don't know what the middle free play is. 
   Could the clutch pressure plate be out of alignment and the push rod not centered on the dimple? Could it be when I pull in the clutch the pushrod moves over into the dimple and then moving the pressure plate? 
   Could I loosen the 3 tiny nuts and bolts holding the pressure plate and pull in the clutch at idle, shut the engine off while holding in the clutch and tighten the bolts.  I think I can get to them through the starter hole.  I can see them through the timing hole.  On my V50II clutch there is some slop in the mounting holes.
   I thought maybe the cable was stretching so I installed a new one, no change except for a smoother pull.
   I put a new clutch disc in with the Monza pressure plate and flywheel and spring that came with the replacement motor I bought of e-bay, should I take the bike apart and use the 1980 V50II clutch assy?  The flywheel timing marks were different. I could mix and match parts.
   What else could cause this clutch drag?  Sorry for the long post, but thanks for the help and advice.

[fotoguzzi]

IDK but pretty cool little bike you have.

[guzzisteve]

Are you working with the adjuster on the rear arm on back of trans?   What you have sounds fine to me. Don't know of any changes in clutch from the V50II & V50III as the Monza is.

[Harley PHD]

   Yes, I adjusted the arm to hit the pushrod before 90 degrees to get max pushrod travel.  The V50II clutch pressure plate is two piece and the Monza is one piece.  I forgot to take a picture of the Monza clutch parts so this is from memory.  I remember they were different.

The V50II pressure plate. 




Does the clutch feel like rubber for the first half and then move the clutch plates the second half of lever travel normal?  I could adjust the rubber play out but I'm afraid of burning up the throw out bearing.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Does the clutch feel like rubber for the first half and then move the clutch plates the second half of lever travel normal?

Not really. It feels "normal." Unlike the big blocks, centering is no big deal, either. Eyeball is close enough. "Something" is wrong, though. It's really no big deal to have a look at the old small block clutch.. a couple of hours if you are slackin.
Nice looking little scooter you have there.

[Harley PHD]

  I might of found the problem.  I put the clutch push rod in the way it came apart, but on the Moto Guzzi technical training videos in English they say to put it in with the big diameter  towards the throw out bearing. My V50 workshop manual didn't say, but now looking at the diagram push rod E is thicker towards the throw out bearing D.  D is hollow and E fits inside it.



 I had the small end in the throw out bearing and it could move around a little,  maybe this was some of my extra play.

  I put it back together and it works better.  I think some of my problem is the reduced reach dog leg levers (for my wife) reduces the clutch cable pull.  Now I can have 1/16 freeplay at lever and can still get into neutral (with a little trouble).  No more creeping in gear.




I only had to pull the swingarm to get to the pushrod.  Now i have to wonder where the transmission fluid came from at the u-joint boot (new seal)

[guzzisteve]

The mushy part is the spring that's on the back lever. Oil in boot may be from rear drive.
Glad you found the issue.

[Scout63]

Great thread HPHD. Coincidentally I pulled the transmission off my v50ii today because of clutch dragging that lever and arm adjustment wouldn’t cure.  The clutch looks fine but the pushrod sticks when I try to push it rearward. I’ll report further and post pictures when I check the pushrod seals, thrust bearing assembly and outer body.