V7 Classic Shift Lever

[Recht]

Anyone have a V7 Classic shift lever available? For a 2011, should be part number 883039. None of the dealers I tried have it in stock.

[Triple Jim]

Searching for "Guzzi" and that part number turn up a few shops that claim to have it, but I'd hate to have to pay for it.  Maybe a used on from eBay?  Is yours damaged, or is it missing?

[Recht]

Mine is about to suffer a catastrophic failure. Perhaps a good welding shop could fix it? I am kind of in a rush to get one because I wanted to get to the National next weekend. The usual reliable forum favorite dealers say 10-14 days to me. My local dealers took the VIN# and my phone number and said they would get back to me as it is not in stock and would have to be ordered. I was hoping someone was parting out a V7, or someone would say "it's the same one as on a HD blah blah" or something like that.

[Penderic]

Mine did that too! The outside of the lever is originally welded, smoothed and polished, but the inside is NOT welded, and with big inside gaps, the join is not as strong as it could be.

I tried drilling a hole and pinning the 2 parts together with a hardened steel roll pin, but it sheared off within just a few miles of use.


Had to get it re-welded by a local fellow with the right welding torch, filler rod (stainless steel) and skill. Did a super job and afterwards, I smoothed out his weld with emery sandpaper and polished with a buffing wheel ..... looked good or better than new! Cost me $50 I think at the time and over $250 to order new from the dealer.

[Triple Jim]

Right, Penderic, very good. 

Recht, I'd certainly fix that one before spending over $200 for another one prone to failure.  If you'll pay for shipping both ways, I'll TIG it with stainless rod free, and get to the Post Office the next day.  Alternatively, I bet there are some skilled welders in NYC that could do it without the need for shipping.

[Recht]

Wow! Pendric, Triple Jim this place is awesome. I was hopeful that it could be welded and you guys have affirmed this. I was willing to pay the money for a new one just to keep rolling (even though the price is somewhat ridiculous). I thought being a BMW owner and having to grab my ankles a few times on parts prices could be averted with Guzzi, but some things just cost a lot.
Triple Jim, thank you so much for the generous offer. I will contact a few local welders and if I can't come up with a solution I will certainly take you up on your offer.
Looks like I can get this fixed and make the rally after all!

[Penderic]

Thank you! Lots of super duper guys here. 

A friend of a friend of mine knew a local architectural guy that installed expensive interior metal stairwells and metal/glass balconies in expensive homes, here on the islands, real high end stuff he designed and ordered. He was a perfectionist and did all the installs himself including welding many of the aluminum components - lovely stuff. Did a awesome job on my little shift lever!

As I said before the original weld on the lever is very thin and shallow - and I wanted it to be stronger when I had it re-welded, so I used a file to chamfer the area at the shaft end where the two pieces join.  When re- assembled there was a shallow V (1/16" is enough) that allows for a deeper stronger weld.

I used the hole I had previously drilled and another pin to align and hold the lever arm and shaft during welding.

Lots of good advice here!   

[Chuck-D]

Anyone have a V7 Classic shift lever available? For a 2011, should be part number 883039. None of the dealers I tried have it in stock.

Probably a dumb question, but you've checked with the guys at Moto Borgato? I'd think they could either weld it themselves, or they know who can.