Character? Errr... bloody Italian machine!

[nudemetalz]

Well didn't I have a scary experience on the way home !!

Got on the Guzzi to go home from work today. Noticed the gear selection was a little weird but thought nothing of it.

Anyway, further down the track I get to the Ngauranga Gorge and am in middle lane as I head up it, thinking about changing into the left lane to take the Newlands turnoff. I go to change down to 5th when the gear lever suddenly goes limp and the bike gets stuck in a false neutral !!
Oh shit !!!
I quickly look over my shoulder to the left lane as my bike is rapidly decelerating due to the uphill (finally figure out what "uphill struggle" means...) and loss of drive. I have to get to the footpath very quickly or I am toast !!
A car goes whipping past me on the inside as I try to get across, then as luck beholds,...a gap !!
Quickly on with the indicator and off to the side of the road as the bike coasts to a stop without the need for brakes (the gorge is quite steep).
Now, getting my thoughts together on what next to do, I figure I have to get her onto the footpath. Ever tried to push a 230kg bike uphill and onto a footpath with riding gear on? Takes a heap of effort but I achieve it.

Alrighties..time to inspect the Guzzi. What do we have here? Initial fears are a broken gearbox.....$$$$$ !!!
However, the gear lever linkage arm has come off the spline !!
Just as I go to lay on my back and get down to push it back on, I hear a horn beep and see a blue van go past.
Anyway, decide to put her into 3rd gear and cruise home quietly in that gear, figuring that she has enough low-end torque to be able to take off fairly easily.
Off I go and just up the road is Skunk stopped in the blue van and also Kendog on his Hornet. I give them the thumbs up and keep going, thinking I've pushed my luck enough for one day. Stop at Newlands shop, and Skunk pulls up. I explain what happened. Turns out they were going to go back for me to help. Thanks Andrew and Leigh. So was Kendog.
Thanks guys, heaps

Italian character...

[98tls]

Good read.Had a nasty Suzuki experiance in the weekend,out on a poker run with about 50 Harleys one of my aftermarket big $ rearsets decided to unscrew itself and fly off into a paddock leaving me with nothing to rest my foot on nor change gears withResult,many Harley riders and 1 Suzuki rider doing a prolonged search......Suzuki rider got lucky and found itscrewed it back on and away we went,didnt live it down all day.

[Insanity_rules]

Gotta love that Italian character. Mine has an awesome false neutral between 5th and 6th and you have to be real careful slotting it into gear after you hit it.

[KrazyGixxerBoy]

...no such issues with my Jappa masterpiece! All joking aside, if that happens again to your italian steed, call in to the meatworks on the gorge (Taylor Preston) and ask for Andrew...I work there and will be happy to help with a lift on my GSXR! LOL

[Paul in NZ]

To be fair - the bike did try and warn you something was wrong ;-)

[Taz]

There's this great new product out called locktite. Invest in some and spend an afternoon in the garage and things like this will be a thing of the past.

[nudemetalz]

I agree, Paul,..the Guzzi was communicating but I chose not to listen

And yup, I will be going through every nut and bolt this weekend with loctite for sure.

[Trudes]

That would be Kendog on my trusty, reliable Hornet..... and yet more good reasons to travel in the far left hand lane on our motorway system here (closer to the footpath; it's closest to the Newlands off ramp lane anyway, and everyone thinks they are fast up the gorge and sit in the far right hand lane.... at 70kmph)
Glad it all worked out in the end.

[nudemetalz]

Thanks Trudes. Good to have support from the NWM peoples

Oh and,..yes..your Hornet...

[imdying]

However, the gear lever linkage arm has come off the spline !!

You'll be pleased to know that that isn't unheard of on Japanese bikes too More than one SV650 owner has been left with a limp pedal

[gijoe1313]

Ahh Ducatis, thats what they do and why we loves them so (I'm in training to own Ducatis since I ride plenty of two strokers). Now for the second part of this tale ... why was Kendog riding Trudes Hornet?

[Trudes]

Now for the second part of this tale ... why was Kendog riding Trudes Hornet?

My precious Hornet has been turned into Kendog's commuter since selling the Gixxer, so it's really our bike now..... but, but, but that's beside the point.... I paid for the bling!!

[James Deuce]

It's the lovliest Hornet in existence and it's too good for him, just like you.

GIJOE - What? Ducrappi? Nudie would not be caught dead on a Ducrappi.

[martybabe]

I agree, Paul,..the Guzzi was communicating but I chose not to listen

You do though don't ya. 'That don't feel right' ah maybe it will go away eh. I did have a Ford escort that cured it self once but mostly these things come back to bite you. Glad it turned out safe with nothing lost but sweat.

. I paid for the bling!!

Whaaaaaaaa! Demand rent for the bling at least, cheek!

[nudemetalz]

It's the lovliest Hornet in existence and it's too good for him, just like you.

GIJOE - What? Ducrappi? Nudie would not be caught dead on a Ducrappi.

That Hornet is awesome alright.

I like some Dukes (in particular the HyperM), but Moto Guzzi's are my first preference by far !!!

and thanks Martybabe