Reach for 5th

Doc what · #1 (**permalink**) 02-16-2005, 12:57 PM

I bought a 1300 GT jnr about a year ago and have mostly been stripping it down to be painted. But before I started, I drove it through the summer months and found that the reach for 5th made long trips painful. I saw a web page of a Dutchman and his 105, who had mounted a secondary pivoted gear stick with a connecting rod to the cut down original. I was wondering if anyone else, suffering the same problem, had come up with any solutions.

**evanbottcher** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2005, 06:17 PM

Here's a link to Mike Valant's remote shifter - http://engr.smu.edu/rcam/cpm3v/shifter/shifter1.htm

genericwood · #3 (**permalink**) 02-16-2005, 08:39 PM

My race car has a remote shifter similar to Valants. But if the reach for 5th is the only problem, I'd be tempted to just bend the shift lever an inch or so. I did this the other direction on my Giulietta to give more room for my knee between the steering wheel and 2nd gear! I have long arms so the reach for 5th isn't too bad. Oh wait a minute, it doesn't have a 5th!

Erik

**Alex Csank** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-16-2005, 09:04 PM

There is some adjustment that can be made to the Alfa 105 gear lever. All you have to do is remove all the boots (outer, inner and rubber seal) and then you will see that at the base of the lever, there is a bolt and nut arrangement at the front side of the base of the lever. Loosen the nut and then bring the lever a bit more toward the driver. Re-tighten and try running up and down the gears. I'm pretty sure that you will find it to be a big improvement.

The remote levers are great for racing, but for a street car, there should not be a problem with the stock lever.

Cheers,

beatle_bayly · #5 (**permalink**) 02-17-2005, 02:55 AM

I have no problem at all in 5th ! 1st is a bit of a stretch though.

Doc what · #6 (**permalink**) 02-17-2005, 10:48 AM

Cheers for the help, I'll try adjusting the gear stick first. However I have long legs and arms not long enough, so a remote lever might me more comfortable and I've never seen one in the UK. I don't know if LH and RH gear boxes are the same, but the travel into fifth seems a lot further than first or third. Give it two weeks and I'll have it back and can explore the adjustment idea.

sfourza · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:56 AM

Thanks for all the useful and historical info on this topic. This sort of thing is the best reason I can think of for this forum.

I just bought the car in the photos attached, a GTjr/GTA replica/TS conversion, and the short shifter was in place. I've removed it, as I've been waving the magic Alfa gearbox wand in the more than 40 cars I've owned in the past 40 years, and am too set in my ways to learn how to shift an Alfa with something else.

Sfourza

genericwood · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 12:49 PM

Sfourza, I sent you a private message. Please check when you get a chance.

Erik

tek · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 02:07 PM

Hmmm, another $10,000 or so and my junior could look like that, though I am sure it won't run like that one. Very pretty interior.

emr5503 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 07:14 AM

SFOURZA,
Where are you located?
That car was here in Richmond several years ago when it got it's twin spark, interior, and shifter transplant.
Ed

geh458 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle_bayly

I have no problem at all in 5th ! 1st is a bit of a stretch though.

alfazagato · #12 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 04:04 PM

I am confused. If Doc what's car is a RHD then 5th gear is the closest to him. If it is a LHD, even with the shaft turned through its maximum radial travel away from th driver, it is still close enough to easily reach from the drivers seat as the whole positioning of the driver/gearchange is biased to that side. Is there something about the car which is not standard?