2013 V7 Clickiness

[invisibro]

Hi all,

I've had a used 2013 V7 stone for a little over a year now, and this season I've noticed clickiness when it starts cold that seems to get a bit better once it's warmed up. It's my first bike, so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but the videos I've found on Youtube don't have this sound.

Examples:
Cold - clicky: https://vid.me/2u65
10 minutes later - less clicky: https://vid.me/CK57

It has about 5400 miles on it, and I run the highest grade fuel I can get here in NYC (93 octane [aki] - unfortunately nowhere has ethanol). Checked oil and the level seems fine, but maybe I'm reading it wrong? Or do I need a valve adjustment?

Thanks in advance!

And here's a picture of it when it's clean!

[fotoguzzi]

Could be just the normal sound of the lifters, is noise coming from the rocker cover area? You should be able to hear the action, if you don't the valves may be set too tight. So I wouldn't worry.
Good choice for your first bike!

[oldbike54]

 Oh damn , it's going to explode , don't worry , someone here will take it off your hands for a small fee 

 Seriously , what fotoguzzi said is probably correct  :1: Nice bike 

 Dusty

[blackcat]

Sounds normal to me in both cold and warm situations. But, when was the last time the valves were adjusted?

[Cam3512]

Sounds normal to me in both cold and warm situations. But, when was the last time the valves were adjusted?

Me too. You should have retorqued the heads and adjusted valves at first service- 600 miles.  Was that done?

[invisibro]

Thanks guys - I'll check where the noise is coming from. The bike was used when I bought it and the guy I bought it from said he'd taken it for the breakin service. I trust him, but he didn't have the receipt that detailed what was done at that time.

Think I should play it safe and bump up my 6200 mile service since I'm at 5400?

[Cam3512]

I wouldn't worry about it. If anything, the valve lash has loosened up.  I know you trust the PO, but what dealer did the service?

[invisibro]

I wouldn't worry about it. If anything, the valve lash has loosened up.  I know you trust the PO, but what dealer did the service?

He bought it from and said he got the breakin service at Motorcycle Mall in NJ

[slopokes]

all bats are off---take it to a real shop----

[blackcat]

You live in Brooklyn, Queens, etc., are you parking it on the street or do you have a garage? Do you have any tools and are you interested in learning how to work on your bike? 

[invisibro]

You live in Brooklyn, Queens, etc., are you parking it on the street or do you have a garage? Do you have any tools and are you interested in learning how to work on your bike?

I'm in Brooklyn - I mostly park in a shared garage. I have a few tools and borrow some from a friend who also parks in the same garage. There's not really room there to work on it, but I'd definitely be interested in learning, though I have zero experience doing any complicated work - I did all the cosmetic mods to my bike myself, but that's rather straightforward.

[Cam3512]

He bought it from and said he got the breakin service at Motorcycle Mall in NJ

Not good.

[invisibro]

Not good.

Damn, guess my gut feeling was right. The bike has been functioning fine aside from that clickiness when it's cold, but I'll go ahead and take it in early for the 6.2k mile service.

Anything outside of the regular maintenance I should make sure to have them look at?

[pete roper]

If this is a 'Box Shop' and other members here are expressing doubts about their competence it would probably be better to pose the question of where you should take it? You're in NY fer crying out loud! There has to be somebody who can perform a simple 'Book' service correctly on a V7 Stone! They are so delightfully simple even a shaved ape should be able to do it!

Pete

[invisibro]

Vespa Brooklyn sells guzzis and the guy who owns the garage where I park is friends with one of the mechanics and said he's good

[Cam3512]

Ride up to Hamlin's Cycle in Bethel, CT.  Let Jim do the service.  It's HIGHLY doubtful MM retorqued the heads at 1st "service".  It only needs to be done once, just valve adjusts after.  Did you check the routing of your clutch cable?  Came from factory resting against a cylinder where it will melt.  There's also an updated map for the ECU, make sure that gets loaded.

[invisibro]

Ride up to Hamlin's Cycle in Bethel, CT.  Let Jim do the service.  It's HIGHLY doubtful MM retorqued the heads at 1st "service".  It only needs to be done once, just valve adjusts after.  Did you check the routing of your clutch cable?  Came from factory resting against a cylinder where it will melt.  There's also an updated map for the ECU, make sure that gets loaded.

Not too far - I'll give them a call. Thanks for the suggestion!

[johnr]

Rattly when cold and goes away when warm absolutely shouts valve clearances. To a certain degree this is to be expected but if it's a noise that has developed recently as you suggest then it needs looking at.

Do as others have suggested.  Torquing the heads needs to be done if it hasn't been already (and you don't know) followed by valve clearance setting.
While setting valve clearances was something that owners were expected to do in the past, (every owners book would have instructions for this operation) this is less the case these days. I think in your case bringing forward your next service would be wise.  Check that it includes everything that would have been covered in past services though as you have no surety that these were done properly, if at all.  (Much to be said for doing your own work. Then you know.)
I would definitely be taking board members advice about which shop to use though.

[blackcat]

Vespa Brooklyn sells guzzis and the guy who owns the garage where I park is friends with one of the mechanics and said he's good

I'd call them up and find out how long you have to leave the bike there given this time of year, as it could be a couple of weeks before you get it back. Same with the shop in CT., but keep in mind you will have to hang out there for a good chunk of the day due to the wait time for the bike to cool down, and of course that is the assumption that they can do it in the same day.

Once this is completed I'd learn how to adjust the valves yourself,etc. as it's quite easy.

[invisibro]

I'd call them up and find out how long you have to leave the bike there given this time of year, as it could be a couple of weeks before you get it back. Same with the shop in CT., but keep in mind you will have to hang out there for a good chunk of the day due to the wait time for the bike to cool down, and of course that is the assumption that they can do it in the same day.

Once this is completed I'd learn how to adjust the valves yourself,etc. as it's quite easy.

Any resources you'd recommend checking out?

 I'm pretty good at following tutorials and figuring things out myself (head cover screws torquing seems easy enough), but would like some better instruction than the service manual for things that arent just tightening.

[Cam3512]

It's not the valve cover bolts that need retorque, it's the nuts on the long studs that attach the head to the cylinder (gasket inbetween). Make an advance appointment, and set aside a full day for Hamlin's, and he will cool the bike with a fan while he changes the fluids, etc. first.  Engine needs to be cold to properly adjust valves. Jim would probably let you watch him do the work so you can learn. The shop is very customer friendly.

[invisibro]

It's not the valve cover bolts that need retorque, it's the nuts on the long studs that attach the head to the cylinder (gasket inbetween). Make an advance appointment, and set aside a full day for Hamlin's, and he will cool the bike with a fan while he changes the fluids, etc. first.  Engine needs to be cold to properly adjust valves. Jim would probably let you watch him do the work so you can learn. The shop is very customer friendly.

Riding up to Hamlin's tomorrow morning to get the service done - thanks again for the advice!

[Cam3512]

Riding up to Hamlin's tomorrow morning to get the service done - thanks again for the advice!

    Remember to have him check for the updated map.

[oldbike54]

 Now that we have a resolution , the thread title reminds us of the guy who accused us of being
"Clicky" ,  it was hard to take him seriously since he did not know the word is spelled
"clique"  Which of course we are , but anyone can join as we are a clique of weirdos to begin with . Clickity clackity clunk 

 Dusty

[invisibro]

Now that we have a resolution , the thread title reminds us of the guy who accused us of being
"Clicky" ,  it was hard to take him seriously since he did not know the word is spelled
"clique"  Which of course we are , but anyone can join as we are a clique of weirdos to begin with . Clickity clackity clunk 

 Dusty

Happy to be a part of this clique if everyone's always this helpful!

[oldbike54]

Happy to be a part of this clique if everyone's always this helpful!

 Pretty normal for here . One comment we hear is "what about the lack of dealers" , from folks worried about traveling by Guzzi (sorry Bill  ) . No worries , as long as you haven't aggravated the experts and general membership on WG . Someone will either help sort out the issue , or come and rescue a stranded Guzzi rider 

 Dusty

[v65tt]

Does the noise disappear at about 3000 rpm , both my v7 stone engines are very mechanical with piston slap below 3000  esp on the left hand cylinder

[gerryp]

Riding up to Hamlin's tomorrow morning to get the service done - thanks again for the advice!

Hopefully it will be a good experience for you and the issues will be revolved.

Tell Jim Gerry says hello.

If you have the time you can take a walk into the center of Bethel.  some neat stores to browse and you can visit Dr. Mikes Ice Cream Factory for a treat.

Gerry

[johnr]

Does the noise disappear at about 3000 rpm , both my v7 stone engines are very mechanical with piston slap below 3000  esp on the left hand cylinder

Piston Slap!!! ??? Are you sure that's what it is? With today's fancy bore coatings I doubt it has existed long enough to develop piston slap. I presume you have also have checked valves?

These in line V engines seem to me to be a bit prone to mechanical noise due to the fact that the heads aren't hidden under the tank.
For EG. My BSA R3 made a hell of a valve din with everything adjusted right. Riding along side it apparently it drowned out your stereo but as a rider with the tank between you and the valves you heard very little of it.

[gerryp]

Riding up to Hamlin's tomorrow morning to get the service done - thanks again for the advice!

So, how did it go?