Hi, I have recently completed a restoration of my 1953 Guzzino, but have a couple of issues that I would appreciate advice on, please.
The bike sometimes starts on the kickstart, but not reliably. It will however start using a battery drill to turn the engine. Any suggestions?
All three gears are available, but it has a tendency to slip out of first when under load. I have fitted a new selector quadrant which was 1mm wider than the original, but to no avail. Considering fitting a stronger detent spring behind the ball bearing that locate in the selector quadrant. Thoughts please.
Bryn
Hi, may I suggest you remove the top cover plate of the gearbox and using a torch check the condition of the gear teeth on the fixed and lay shaft. Mine were totally worn and due to the wear it would jump out of engagement when either first or second were selected. I bought a replacement fixed gear shaft and first and second lay gears. All good now. I think the wear on mine was due to a heavy foot being used in its previous life. Let us know what you find. Cheers Phil
@Phil_Skinner , do you mean the gear dogs rather than the teeth?
The dogs are usually slightly undercut to draw themselves into full engagement, but harsh use can cause the corners of the dogs to wear or chip, such that they no longer “lock” the gears together.
I’ve never heard of worn teeth causing the gears to jump out of engagement, but there again I’ve never seen inside a 1953 Guzzino gearbox! I assume it uses constant mesh gears, much like modern gearboxes?
In my case the gear teeth were worn away resulting in the teeth being about half their original width. Have a look and see if it is the same with yours. Cheers Phil
Thanks for the thoughts guys.
I have tried making the detent spring stronger by installing a spacer behind it but that didn’t resolve the problem.
I will have to try and inspect the gear teeth more closely on both shafts.
I certainly didn’t think them too badly worn when I rebuilt the engine, but could have missed something.
It would be nice to have access to a small video camera that could see inside the gearbox properly. Any ideas of where to get one cheap???
Just hoping I don’t have to pull out the engine and strip it again.
Thanks again. I’ll update again in a few weeks. Garage time is difficult to find at the moment.
Cheers, Bryn
The apparent head gasket problem was not the head seal at all. It was the plug seal leaking. I have recut the seal area to try and improve it and will be re-later.
BUT… the engine cuts out when it gets hot. In my opinion probably a faulty capacitor breaking down with temperature.
SO… does any know of a UK source for a capacitor (condensor?) that will fit a GUZZINO, please.
I’m going to live with the “slipping out of first gear” problem until I have all the other silly problems resolved. Then whip out the engine and sort out the gearbox once and for all.
Cheers for now , Bryn
Just a brief update.
The first gear sprocket of the triple geared shaft was worn. Fitted a replacement (used but much better condition) and now its fine in all gears.
Changed the capacitor which improved spark considerably.
Eventually found the starting problem. Just a screw floating about in the newly fitted “kill switch”. It’s always simple when you find it !!!
So now its running absolutely fine.
Many thanks to all for your help and advice during the rebuild.
Regrettably it is now going for sale on the club marketplace. I’m getting too old to ride these days!
Cheers Bryn
I assume it uses constant mesh gears, much like modern gearboxes?