Is the 5 spd gearbox update worth while for older Tontis?

[Rafael]

Hi all,

I've been looking at used gearboxes online and just realized that MG updated the 5 speed in '02. MG list a bunch of improvements. Are these improvements worth the trouble for upgrading an older Tonti? Are the gear ratios the same?

thanks for any comments.

[GT-Rx]

Rafael, from memory, the '02+ box had an "improved shift drum and linkage... and neutral switch" it's slightly noticeable over the '00~01. Are you talking a direct swap to a newer one, or retro-fitting new parts to an older housing?

[Rafael]

A direct swap. Something else I remember is that the new gears have 5 dogs instead of 6 for improved shifting. Was there an improvement is shifting? Seems the parts are only available from MG. MG Cycle only carries pre-'02 gears. I'm curious, are the guts interchangeable? I know that the new switch won't work on the pre-02 housing since the casting was changed to accommodate the new location.

thanks!

[GT-Rx]

Yes, it was a little less clunky, but not a HUGE improvement IMO. Other then the neutral switch, I am 75% sure it would be a direct swap to the older housing. Perhaps Pete might be able to comment further.
If you were going to bolt on a used trans, I'd say go for it. I see that there was a few on FleBay.

[geodoc]

Heh Rafael,

You might well ask Charley Cole (http://www.zydecoracing.com) about this. I suspect like Todd suggests that it would be more an incremental improvement than the gates of shifting heaven opening with a host of hypoid-90 angels singing (ah-hum ......).

I just had him attend to a very early Eldo box that had missed an early 70's recall & been stored ever since. It was ready to grenade as it turned out on account of hurry-up / 1st-production run "features" that I saw when I took it apart and sent up the red flag. Charley knew the story with the recall and the reasons why it was released that way (get to the market with a 5-speed to match Ducati's 750GT and new 5-speed norm) and replaced the entire internals w/ later iteration components for a very reasonable price.

I've pretty much stopped doing my own Guzzi 5-speed & final drive work now & just concentrate on the rest of the bike's needs. Charley has the parts and extensive background knowledge on the various mods & is reasonably priced.

Call him up.

[Rafael]

Hi Geodoc

I din't think to ask Charley this question. I'll send him an e-mail. Charley is a great resource, he cleaned up some mechanic mistakes in my SP rear drive for me, just have to accept the shipping cost.

thanks for ALL the replies. I still haven't decided what to do...

[Rafael]

Follow up:

Too many gear dogs in my friend's gear box were damaged, so he got a T-3 trans and sent it to Charley for a shim/seal job.

I also spoke with a local MG dealer about the updated gear box. They said that there were gearing changes, so swapping a trans would require a change in the ring and pinion. Not so according to Charley Cole, got a chance to speak to Charley about the updated gear box. He said the gears are the same at the first version and that they are poorly shimmed like the earlier versions; tradition dies hard. The Quota gear box is an odd ball with a taller 5th gear according to Guzzilogy. Charley also said the MG is the only source for the gears and dogs in the revised g-box.