Modern Vespa

Sorry for the noob question but I'm just trying to sort out it my clutch is functioning properly.

Using it, i can
1. start the bike in any gear, as long as the clutch lever is pulled.
2. cleanly shift through the gears up and down no problem.

So that would seem to indicate that it is working correctly, but...

I can also shift into our out of gear without the clutch pulled when riding. I can shift out of gear in my car easily but not into gear so easily unless I really line it up well.

In neutral i can shift into 1st or 2nd just by turning the shifter, but without the clutch pulled. Generally this causes the engine to conk out.

I'm guessing this is correct but I just wanted to confirm.

hal

1. start the bike in any gear, as long as the clutch lever is pulled.

Nope, the opposite actually, unless you got electric start.

But WITHOUT the motor running, you should be able to find ALL the gears w/ clutch left engaged by rolling the bike slowly back and forth. When you do pull in the clutch, you should now be able to roll the bike around while in gear. Get to here before you try stuff w/ motor running.

Where in Seattle are you?

I'm in Ballard. As far as I know, it seems to be adjusted correctly. Rolls in gear with clutch in without issue.

It was just that this morning, while warming up the bike and trying to get some of the ice off the grips i managed to kick the bike into gear and lurch forward. After that, on the way to work I just tried shifting into and out of gear without the clutch and was able to do so.

Hal

that sounds about right as in if rolling at given speed engage a gear and release the clutch to start yes it can be done but be careful I've knocked a scooter into gear on the stand but was able to catch it.

You CAN shift gears without using the clutch if the bike is moving and you can get the motor & gear speed matched well enough, same as in a car. You may NEED to do this after breaking a clutch cable & wanting to get home, just get the motor running as slow as possible in neutral. Now push the bike as fast as you can and try to gently drop it into first before giving any gas. If you come to a stop lite or sign and MUST stop, rather than creeping thru in 1st, get into neutral before you stop & then push like before, drop into 1st and pray you don't have to stop going uphill.

You can learn to upshift or downshift clutchless if you understand what's going on inside the motor and get the speeds well matched, but why other than that broken cable?. Also realize that clutchless shifting IS a thing, but that RPM speed matching thing needs a fine touch or your cruciform will suffer and need replacing soon, maybe worse.