01 Cali EV1100 transmission question

[smartin108]

I am experiencing a frustrating problem with downshifting into 1st, especially when rolling to a stop.  It will seem to go into first, but will slip back up into neutral.  The bike has 14000 miles on it.  I know this may be a disassemble and shim issue, but with my work schedule I don't have the free time to go through all of that now.  Will the adjuster screw on the rear cover of the box possibly help with this?  Thanks.

[Bill Havins]

I wonder if you are thinking "monster" when it's really a "mouse"?  "Shadows" (i.e., "symptoms") can be deceiving.

If you haven't done so already, I would look carefully at clutch cable adjustments.  Remember there are two places (three, really) to adjust the cable action on this scooter.  There's the handlebar clutch lever, the cable end under the engine, and then the actuator lever under the engine (bell housing).

During maintenance this past winter I replaced the clutch cable on my '98 EV.  I continue to have to adjust the handlebar clutch cable adjustment from time-to-time to "cure" 1st-to-neutral-to-2nd gear shifting problems when I am stopped.  Changing the cable caused the transmission to behave totally different when trying to find neutral.  It also made it difficult to shift from neutral to 1st at times.

Eventually all of the "stretch" in the cable will work itself out.  Then the transmission will shift into neutral the same way time-after-time until I change the cable again.

So, personally, I'd think "mouse" and work at getting the clutch cable adjusted "just right."  If that doesn't do it, I'd get another Guzzi person to take a look at it.  I wouldn't entertain the thought of "monster" until the clutch cable was known to be a "non-issue."

Edit:  There is a Guzzi model that was prone to break it's shift lever return spring (IIRC).  But I don't remember which scooter it is - someone will chime in and correct me/fill in the information.

Good luck!

Bill

[Vasco DG]

Sounds more like you just aren't getting enough throw on the lever.

Move the rod to the 'outer' of the two holes on the linkage and adjust the pedal height so that you get full travel fire and aft without the lever fouling anything. Also make sure all the linkage adjusters are tight.

Pete

[Bill Havins]

And then there is the plastic pivot bearing on the shifter lever (is the '01 still a plastic bearing? - IDK).  Lee Bruns (on this board) makes bronze bearings that are slightly undersized, easy to match to the pivot on the frame, easy to install, and make the lever action much more reliable.

[smartin108]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I installed a new bushing from Lee trying to solve this issue.  I'll try moving the link to the outer hole.

[John A]

Another mouse to look at is the frame cover if installed can keep your toe from getting a good bite without being readily apparent