Gearbox nears end of life

[Storkfoot]

About 2006, I bought a battered 1962 Li150 engine. I bought it for the gearbox mainly. The gearbox found a new life in my TS1 for the past 13 years but, just before my Eurolambretta trip, I had the gearbox out. I then spotted how battered and worn it was. Without any time, I put it back in.

Oddly, first gear is okay but third and fourth are worn out, as is the Christmas Tree.







I have spotted a NOS replacement for sale. I suspect some will think I should venture down the 5 speed route but will one of the new 5 speed boxes last as long as this

[dickie]

Good question. As soon as I started reading, I thought "stick a 5 speed in" but cost is obviously a factor.

I'm completely happy with my af 4 speed close ratio box, but I wouldn't do it again as I had bother fitting it.

If I were to fit a new box to either of mine, I'd go af 5 speed.

[Storkfoot]

Good question. As soon as I started reading, I thought "stick a 5 speed in" but cost is obviously a factor.

I'm completely happy with my af 4 speed close ratio box, but I wouldn't do it again as I had bother fitting it.

If I were to fit a new box to either of mine, I'd go af 5 speed.

My AF 4 speed close ratio gearbox is on the shelf. I don’t want to try and fit it again. The way some of the gears push against the Christmas tree isn’t good, in my opinion. As for 5 speeds, well I have never ridden one but the number of pictures I have seen of broken teeth puts me off

A standard Li150 gearbox has stood me well for many years. Sadly, it seems the NOS one I found is sold so if anyone has a good condition Italian (or early Spanish one) for sale, please let me know.

[Rich Oswald]

Good question. As soon as I started reading, I thought "stick a 5 speed in" but cost is obviously a factor.

I'm completely happy with my af 4 speed close ratio box, but I wouldn't do it again as I had bother fitting it.

If I were to fit a new box to either of mine, I'd go af 5 speed.

My AF 4 speed close ratio gearbox is on the shelf. I don’t want to try and fit it again. The way some of the gears push against the Christmas tree isn’t good, in my opinion. As for 5 speeds, well I have never ridden one but the number of pictures I have seen of broken teeth puts me off

A standard Li150 gearbox has stood me well for many years. Sadly, it seems the NOS one I found is sold so if anyone has a good condition Italian (or early Spanish one) for sale, please let me know.

Go for five speed Paul, it's a game changer, you won't regret it. I've had a Cyclone Supreme in my GP for over 10years and it's been absolutely faultless. I've also had an AF CLO5E 5 in my S Type for a couple of years and that's been amazing too.

Rich'

[dickie]

My AF 4 speed close ratio gearbox is on the shelf. I don’t want to try and fit it again. The way some of the gears push against the Christmas tree isn’t good, in my opinion. As for 5 speeds, well I have never ridden one but the number of pictures I have seen of broken teeth puts me off

A standard Li150 gearbox has stood me well for many years. Sadly, it seems the NOS one I found is sold so if anyone has a good condition Italian (or early Spanish one) for sale, please let me know.

Yes, you're right about how they mesh. I contacted AF and they sent a new christmas tree which was perfect. Might be worth asking them? Personally with my motor and pipe it's a great 'box.

RT230 Reed, ex-box and phbh30.

[Storkfoot]

Good question. As soon as I started reading, I thought "stick a 5 speed in" but cost is obviously a factor.

I'm completely happy with my af 4 speed close ratio box, but I wouldn't do it again as I had bother fitting it.

If I were to fit a new box to either of mine, I'd go af 5 speed.

My AF 4 speed close ratio gearbox is on the shelf. I don’t want to try and fit it again. The way some of the gears push against the Christmas tree isn’t good, in my opinion. As for 5 speeds, well I have never ridden one but the number of pictures I have seen of broken teeth puts me off

A standard Li150 gearbox has stood me well for many years. Sadly, it seems the NOS one I found is sold so if anyone has a good condition Italian (or early Spanish one) for sale, please let me know.

Go for five speed Paul, it's a game changer, you won't regret it. I've had a Cyclone Supreme in my GP for over 10years and it's been absolutely faultless. I've also had an AF CLO5E 5 in my S Type for a couple of years and that's been amazing too.

Rich'

Too many scooters to keep on the road. I prefer to lavish money on ill fitting parts to adorn the shelves of my garage .

[Storkfoot]

My AF 4 speed close ratio gearbox is on the shelf. I don’t want to try and fit it again. The way some of the gears push against the Christmas tree isn’t good, in my opinion. As for 5 speeds, well I have never ridden one but the number of pictures I have seen of broken teeth puts me off

A standard Li150 gearbox has stood me well for many years. Sadly, it seems the NOS one I found is sold so if anyone has a good condition Italian (or early Spanish one) for sale, please let me know.

Yes, you're right about how they mesh. I contacted AF and they sent a new christmas tree which was perfect. Might be worth asking them? Personally with my motor and pipe it's a great 'box.

RT230 Reed, ex-box and phbh30.

PM sent

[Norrie Bodge]

Good question. As soon as I started reading, I thought "stick a 5 speed in" but cost is obviously a factor.

I'm completely happy with my af 4 speed close ratio box, but I wouldn't do it again as I had bother fitting it.

If I were to fit a new box to either of mine, I'd go af 5 speed.

My AF 4 speed close ratio gearbox is on the shelf. I don’t want to try and fit it again. The way some of the gears push against the Christmas tree isn’t good, in my opinion. As for 5 speeds, well I have never ridden one but the number of pictures I have seen of broken teeth puts me off

A standard Li150 gearbox has stood me well for many years. Sadly, it seems the NOS one I found is sold so if anyone has a good condition Italian (or early Spanish one) for sale, please let me know.

PM Sent bud

[Storkfoot]

Good question. As soon as I started reading, I thought "stick a 5 speed in" but cost is obviously a factor.

I'm completely happy with my af 4 speed close ratio box, but I wouldn't do it again as I had bother fitting it.

If I were to fit a new box to either of mine, I'd go af 5 speed.

My AF 4 speed close ratio gearbox is on the shelf. I don’t want to try and fit it again. The way some of the gears push against the Christmas tree isn’t good, in my opinion. As for 5 speeds, well I have never ridden one but the number of pictures I have seen of broken teeth puts me off

A standard Li150 gearbox has stood me well for many years. Sadly, it seems the NOS one I found is sold so if anyone has a good condition Italian (or early Spanish one) for sale, please let me know.

PM Sent bud

Thanks for pictures. Reply sent.

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

I've never experienced anything like this issue, nor can I recall it occurring to my knowledge.

IMO the OEM Italian & Spanish gearboxes were very good, not only for their original design intent but their capability beyond that. I do have experience of other gearbox components failing upon first use, including AFR, DRT & SIL because in all instances they were too hard & consequently brittle.

I can't help wondering if @ some stage the oil level has been insufficient for the loose third & fourth gears to have been able to circulate sufficient lubricant to prevent wear. First & second loose gears have the benefit of being larger in diameter & therefore are the last to be affected by any drop in the oil level.....

[Rich Oswald]

Paul, Jordan Lewis is selling a nice Italian,LI150 box on Facebook.

Rich'

[Storkfoot]

Paul, Jordan Lewis is selling a nice Italian,LI150 box on Facebook.

Rich'

I saw that yesterday, Rich. Thanks. I am in course of buying an early Spanish Li150 gearbox which is essentially the same gearbox.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the gearbox had been run without oil before I got hold of the engine. The engine it came out of years ago was a mess but I got it cheap just to get the gearbox out really. I had the pitting attended to with a sleeve and then have just used it ever since. I’d never noticed the extreme wear to third and fourth until I examined the gearbox properly last month.

[Martin s]

Hi storkfoot,
Was it side on wearout or was it like playing hoopla when stacking on the layshaft?
When I stripped an engine with TV/SX box not so long ago the third and fourth waggled around when I slid them on.
Massively worn round the centre, and I wondered why it jumped out of fourth..

[Storkfoot]

Hi storkfoot,
Was it side on wearout or was it like playing hoopla when stacking on the layshaft?
When I stripped an engine with TV/SX box not so long ago the third and fourth waggled around when I slid them on.
Massively worn round the centre, and I wondered why it jumped out of fourth..

A bit of everything really. Generally, very worn out.

The worn out gearbox is still in the engine with the new selector spring. It jumped out of first gear but it is 3rd and 4th gears that are worn down. The new selector spring has remedied the jumping out of gear but I am sure it is only a matter of time before another problem manifests itself.

I have a good condition gearbox to replace it anyway. That’ll be sorted in the next month, or so.

[Leotech]

I've used VJ super Mk1 boxes with great success, very similar gaps to LI150, you may need to change the sprockets though to suit. Also they are quite cheap in comparison. In fairly powerful motor too, RT kits, Monza, RB etc.