Modern Vespa

When I change gears, sometimes it feels a bit "catchy", like I have to force it a little to rotate the handle and select the gear. It's not "draggy", as in smooth but with resistance.

It's most noticeable at slower speeds, and I think worse when downshifting.

So I thought I'd go through it and see if I can free it up. I've read a fair bit, so understand how it operates, and how to adjust the cables....I can't wait to use the vice grips / bungy chord method to adjust the shifter cables....

So this is more about methodology in going through the system. I thought I would;

1. Disconnect cables from shifter box, and see how smoothly the handle rotates with the cables loose.
2. Grease shifter tubes, [which grease to use?] and I've read to lube inners with 2T oil, but should I just put in new inners anyway?
3. Do the vice grip / bungy chord thing to tension the cables and secure them.

So far, I've taken off the selector box cover and now ask...is this too much grease?....it looks kinda dirty....

Thanks

You're right, too much grease. Clean it. Also clean everything under it that it was covering before attempting to adjust your cables.

I just used plain lithium grease on my tubes & sprayed teflon lube on the cable inners and into the ends of the outers. Some ppl use grease or oil there too, but the teflon spray stays cleaner & seems to work well.

Try and get some teflon lined cables.. and if you get them, don't spray or put any type of lube inside.. you're not supposed to with the teflon lined type.. it'll just gum 'em up..

^^^ Agreed, if you do need to replace the outers, go teflon lined & avoid most of the problems.

Also hope you noticed there's no longer any need for the special modified vise grips, just use a couple spare pinch bolts & some heavy wire hooks or unmodified vise grips. Look here: https://modernvespa.com/forum/post1727793#1727793