V65 gearbox rebuild, whining and sticking between 1st & 2nd

[chrisk]

Hi, I'm just about to strip the gearbox down and am after some tips. I got the bike a while ago and it intermittently sticks between 1st and 2nd and there is a constant speed whine once in gear, it's pretty constant as the speed changes.

I've looked at the parts manual and there are 4 roller bearings in the box itself (on the end of two shafts),
There is one in the input to the gearbox from the shaft that goes to the drive box, and one or maybe two that go between the gearbox and engine casing. That makes 6 or 7.

I know that changing these probably won't cure the sticking between 1st and 2nd and I'll need to have a look around while I'm in there, but any clues appreciated

1 - for the sticking between 1 and 2, what should I look for or change?
2 - the whining, any clues other than the bearings mentioned above
3 - anything else I shiuld do while I there?

Thanks

[mwrenn]

When you say it sticks between first and second, I take it that is when you are shifting up? 
What year is your V65?  Is the transmission number 2253 or higher?
For the whining noise, are you running 1000 cc's of transmission oil?  This is important to keep the transmission quiet.  Even though the Guzzi manual calls for 900 cc's.
Before you open it up, you might try to adjust the detent centering bolt on the back of the transmission to help the sticky shifting.
This adjusts the shift lever for equal travel up and down.  Go 1/6th of a turn at a time, one flat, and do not back out more than 1/2 a turn.  Otherwise the shift return spring will come out of the adjuster...
Best to do this while the transmission is warmed up.

[huub]

 
these gearboxes tend to be noisy,
you will probably find some wear on the cogs, and the primary drive
usually it is easier to just change the gearbox , if you start changing pignons it soon ends up uneconomical
if you can live with the whine , these gearboxes  are pretty bullet proof.

[SED]

What year is your V65?  Is the transmission number 2253 or higher?

MWrenn, What is the significance of trans number 2253 or higher?  What year does this correspond to?
Thanks,
Shawn (owner of whiney 1981 V50)

Chris, I've read that if the transmission has had 900cc lube instead of 1000 it would quickly wear 5th gear and begin whining in 5th.  If it whines in all gears (like my v50s transmission) it is probably the primary drive.  I put 1000cc of Redline Heavy Shockproof in it to try to eliminate the whine; Shockproof has apparently worked for others, but mine still whines.  I've run it nearly 4000 miles like this and it hasn't gotten louder.  Also, if you are into the transmission there is a shifter return spring that breaks so a good idea to change that while in there.  Finally, there has been a good explanation recently of adjusting the detent bolt on the Yahoo site:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/small_block_guzzi/info
Cheers!

[Chuck in Indiana]

If it is very loud.. I know.. it's subjective, but if you can easily hear it with ear plugs in.. it's toast. The easiest and most economical thing is to just find a low mileage transmission from a breaker and swap it out. Fifth gear was starved by using the recommended .9 liters of oil,  and it's eroded and sent swarf through the other gears.

[chrisk]

I'll check all that out, but I do actually have a v50iii gearbox that is 'apparantly okay', does anyone know if the ratios etc are the same. Thinking about it I'm probably being a bit lazy as the specs normally have the ratios, I'll have a look.

Otherwise v50iii to v65 gearbox swap should be like for like?

[chrisk]

Just checked the manual and they are different.
Final drive is the same but each gear is different.

I guess I could do a swap of the actual gears from the old to the new, if I can work out which ones they actually are...

[mwrenn]

MWrenn, What is the significance of trans number 2253 or higher?  What year does this correspond to?
Thanks,
Shawn

Hi Shawn, in 1983 MG updated the V65 and V65SP transmission gears and mainshaft with new parts, starting with number 2253.
These are not interchangeable with transmissions before the update. Basically, the mainshaft is different, as well as 5th  4th, 2nd, and 1st gears on the mainshaft and layshaft.

[SED]

Hi Shawn, in 1983 MG updated the V65 and V65SP transmission gears and mainshaft with new parts, starting with number 2253.
These are not interchangeable with transmissions before the update. Basically, the mainshaft is different, as well as 5th  4th, 2nd, and 1st gears on the mainshaft and layshaft.

Great info - Thanks!

Like Chris, I would like to find a gearbox that doesn't whine.  But I'd really like to find a whole usable V65 drive train to give the Monza a little more wizzbang!  Now I know what I'm looking for - thanks!   
Shawn

[steamdriven NZ]

Like Chris, I would like to find a gearbox that doesn't whine.  But I'd really like to find a whole usable V65 drive train to give the Monza a little more wizzbang!  Now I know what I'm looking for - thanks!   
Shawn

If you're going to re-engine it I recommend getting a Nevada engine and gearbox so you'll have a 750 Monza.
I bought a whole bike (cheap, passed in at auction three times on TradeMe, NZ's eBay..) with the intention of the engine swap and also to wire wheel the bike. Part B has not yet happened but Part A has, and boy does it make it perform. It will fit, and I can tell you all about how to make the other bits fit too. That's the hard bit. From airbox to exhausts, the whole powertrain has been swapped over.
Additional weight: 1.6kg. Fun factor increase: HUGE  And 2/3 the cost of buying a V7. (actually the V7 just came out after I built it, otherwise I would have bought one. Oh well.)
 

[chrisk]

Hi, I'm now thinking of getting a replacement gearbox or sending mine off to someone who does recons professionally.  The tools to split the box work out at over £100, I could fabricate one of the two but that still means £50. I also found out my box is one of the older types anyway.

Your idea of sticking in a 750 lump appeals, can you give me an idea of the work involved getting the pipes etc fitted so I can gauge the hassle factor?

I had a v7 classic and was a bit disappointed really. Great engine, but not a great handler and I think the front end looks weird, ie the Hugh gap between the yokes. People I've spoke to who ridden both v50/65/v7 say the new v7 has been homogenised so much it's just a bit mushey.  They've put crap oil damped forks on the v7 and not cartridges like most modern bike which means the front end is limited.

I have a v50 and it feels nicer to ride than the v7 Classic I had, no torque though...