Curiosity: small block clutch arm

[DoubleGuzzi]

My latest 750 Breva has a different clutch arm to the other four that I've had the joy in dealing with.
I'm wondering if this is an aftermarket one, from a different Guzzi model or standard on later versions of the Breva. None on the V50II, '08 Breva, V7 Classic or V7III match up with the square profile of this one.
Pic below shows the item in question alongside a cut off 'normal' arm.




Can anyone shed some light?

[moto]

I can only go by what I see, which is a larger pivot shaft hole in the square one. This shows it is a component of a later clutch setup, with a different pivot shaft. I don't know whether this pivot was a common wear item before the change, but I guess, maybe. If so, maybe the new arrangement is more stable over the long haul.   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've never seen a squared off one like the that. I don't think it's a Guzzi part - the arm on the left was used on early big-block 5 speeds (Eldorado and V7 Sport) then the first of the small-blocks up until the 6 speed was introduced, according to application guide.

[DoubleGuzzi]

The pivot hole is the same size; the butchered left one is perhaps obscuring that.
To me, the left one is cast whereas the right is billet aluminium.
Given that they have the same important dimensions (length, pivot, adjuster, return spring spigot), I'd be surprised if not originally intended for a Guzzi. I guess anything is possible and in any case, I have no complaints.
Gonna take a closer look at the 2019 V7III one, though I'm pretty sure it has a cast arm.


P.S. Thanks for the responses guys.

[Some time later]
The V7III (6-speed box) does have a slightly different clutch arm, with a longer distance between pivot and adjuster. Also has a beefier perch on the gearbox, with an additional hole - perhaps for an alternative arm. It does look like a cast clutch arm.

[DoubleGuzzi]

I don't know whether this pivot was a common wear item before the change, but I guess, maybe.

With each of the older Guzzis, the pivot pin has seized solid in the clutch arm, thus the wear is on the gearbox perch, where the arm now rotates - not good! Hence having to cut the clutch arm in order to free the pivot pin. 

[malik]

The cast Breva actuating arm seems to be ubiquitous to the small blocks at least, right up to the six speed box (V7 II) extended so as to poke out the RH side to more easily mount the  clutch cable (a most sensible improvement).

I have had a seized pivot on the 2014 V7 Special - it took a lot of work to free it - ended up with handing the gearbox over to an auto mechanic neighbour who resorted to applying heat with the TIG to free it,. Badly corroded, but polished up on another neighbour's lathe.

I can see that if the original was damaged on removal & access to original parts was more awkward & inconvenient, a clever bloke with the tools & equipment would happily just make his own. It appears to have worked out well.

[DoubleGuzzi]

.. I can see that if the original was damaged on removal & access to original parts was more awkward & inconvenient, a clever bloke with the tools & equipment would happily just make his own.

You might well have hit the jackpot with that idea. If so, then it's a good job and beyond my capabilities. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've added a zerk fitting at the pivot pin area of V700 and Ambassador (steel) clutch arms. Never noticed if there's room for one on a small-block.

[DoubleGuzzi]

I've added a zerk fitting at the pivot pin area ..

Had to Google that, to discover it's a grease nipple. 

[paulbricey]

V50 clutch arm with lug rewelded locally after some half-wit (me) thought they could 'just tap out the corroded-in pivot pin'..... only cost me 20 GBP !

[DoubleGuzzi]

... only cost me 20 GBP !

Blimey, wish I knew someone like that! Welded in situ by the looks of things.
TBH, I had a real worry that I'd break a lug the first time I tried driving a pin out. With subsequent bikes, I'd try a bit of heat along with penetrating oil(s), before resorting to breaking a few Dremel wheels. Fortunately, with my V7III and latest Breva, the pins came out much easier.
 

[paulbricey]

I think you are right - pin in rear of V65Florida (4 years younger than my V50) pulled out easily (after 18 years sitting in a damp lean-to !); it also looks a big bigger diameter pin.

[DoubleGuzzi]

I reckon that you just got lucky, with plenty of lube on it and I'd be very surprised if pivot pin is larger. A V50 arm fits perfectly onto a V7 Classic. I bought a used unknown model small-block gearbox, just to get the arm from it, which popped out easily enough. Overall, the gearbox was pretty clean, though that could've been done for selling. In other words, I think life span maintenance is the key.

[malik]

It could also be what you ride the bike through. My seized pin was on the 2014 V7, caught out in a rainstorm in the Flinders Rangers, liquefied the bulldust into paste, blocked up everything. I didn't get rid of the dried red dust until I took the bike apart & there's still some there under the wiring harness. Can be nasty stuff. It's likely the mud got into the low lying part, dried only slowly, encouraged corrosion, resulted in seizing. Combine that with an originally tight tolerance fit (each bike & part is going to be minutely different) & you have the necessary pre-conditions. No biggie - it's just another one of those things you learn to keep an occasional eye on.