False neutrals

[amamet]

I’m going to start this by saying that user error is probably my biggest issue.  Ever since i put this 77 lemans back together, i have the occasional false neutral going from 2nd to 3rd when I’m being a bit “aggressive”. This transmission was one of the last that Charlie cole rebuilt, hence taking the blame on my shifting style rather than the transmission.  I like the shifter at a more severe downward angle than what i have it, but because of the Zard exhaust i need to keep it flatter. You can see that my shifter has already hit the exhaust a bit. Most of my riding was on ducatis and the past 20 years have been on a 750gt with right hand gp shifting. I guess i need just need to be more “deliberate” and get used to the longer throw.  unless there are some adjustments that can be made
Thx
Allen

[chuck peterson]

Try preloading the shifter with a delicate touch of your boot. Just take up the slack without much force until it travels no further. Now pull the clutch while still applying that same foot pressure. My impression is the trans naturally goes into gear without being “deliberate “. No heavy footwork needed.

More of a “snick” than a stomp. Just the slight take up of the linkage/trans slop…holding the same foot pressure, pull the clutch lever

This also shortens the time between gears, meaning the rpms drop less, less forward momentum loss, the bike doesn’t drop on the suspension, and you can release the clutch lever faster. Snick. Snick. With a very short movement of your toe in between

Makes you feel like a roadracer…! Same applies downshifting.

Ymmv

[amamet]

Thx chuck, ill try it tomorrow, i see your in new haven, ive been going up there a bunch lately as my step daughter is attending UNH. Lovely little town

[chuck peterson]

Send me a note and stop by next time, I’m minutes away

[Scout63]

Amamet - have you tried adjusting the eccentric adjuster on the back of the gearbox?  Maybe the shifter “fingers” that engage the drum pins are not centered. It doesn’t take much of a turn. Second to third takes the biggest throw anyway.

[Stevex]

I fitted a Mistral system to my LM2, then a set of Agostini rearsets. They took a lot of setting up as I replaced those horrible ball joints with rose joints, but it all came together in the end. The Agos make for a much more comfortable ride with the standard clips ons and I like to put my gear and brake levers pretty low. Never had a false neutral either.

[Old Jock]

First it's not unknown for it to happen

I'd check the linkage for slop and adjust/replace components as required.

Preloading helps a lot as already said and (with me anyway) don't try to slam it in like a quickshifter, you could also try eccentric adjuster which moves the selector pawls which in turn contact the drum pins (also already suggested)

Second to third and fourth to fifth are most likely to cause a false neutral as different selector forks are used, so more mechanical movement inside the box

If working on the box then it's a good time to check selector drum shimming as Luigi could be a bit slapdash from time to time, but that said, if Charlie Cole rebuilt it that would already have been done.

It'll never be a Ducati or Honda but they're pretty good and built like brick s**t houses, so it's nothing to be concerned about.

Make sure there is sufficient oil in the box, some people like to up the viscosity to dampen it a little, eg: Redline Shockproof or use an 80/140 as opposed to the recommended 80/90. Not having heard of any boxes running all their bearings I can only assume that it doesn't make that much of a difference to the longevity, but that's purely anectodal

[Huzo]

I might go back and read the “clutchless changes” thread.

[Moparnut72]

When I was in Harley mode I tried several trans lubes. I found that Belray Vtwin gear oil to best to quiet and smooth out those tractor transmissions. I wasn't too thrilled with the Redline Shockproof. It was miserable to get it flushed out. Just what worked for me. After riding mainly Airheads and Harleys I find Guzzi transmissions to be quite smooth but it takes a little finesse.
kk