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General Discussion / Re: 2013 V7 - Fork Oil Capacity?
« Last post by Bulldog9 on Today at 10:34:16 PM »Kev, did you measure the air gap with the tube extended before draining?
As I said on ADV I'm almost positive when I swapped the fork springs on the MYS I measured the airgap with the forks extended and oil was close to the expected (110-120), but it could have been compressed......
Just checked my Service Notes.
Official Moto Guzzi Spec and Procedure (from V7 II Service Station Manuals)
Fork oil type: AGIP Fork 7.5W (or equivalent SAE 7.5W fork oil; some manuals allow SAE 5W or 20W as alternatives depending on climate/ride preference).
Air gap specification: Typically 150 mm (from the sleeve/outer tube rim to the oil level, with spring and preload spacer removed). The level must be identical in both legs for balanced handling.
Measurement position: Forks fully extended (stanchion/tube pulled out to maximum, fork leg upright and unloaded). This is the standard for air gap measurement on conventional right-side-up forks like those on the V7 II.
The manual states: Measure the air gap "from sleeve rim, without the spring and with the stem at the end of the stroke" — interpreted in context as extended position (full extension/end of outward stroke).
Do not measure compressed — that would give a falsely high oil level reading (smaller air gap) and lead to overfilling, which can cause harsh bottoming or fluid blowout.
Step-by-Step Fork Oil Level Procedure (per Manual)
Remove the fork cap, spring, and any preload spacer.
Ensure the fork leg is fully extended (bike on center stand with front wheel off ground, or fork removed and held upright).
Pump the fork a few times after initial fill to release air bubbles and fill internal passages.
Wait a few minutes for oil to settle.
Insert a ruler, dipstick, or fork oil level gauge straight down the tube (keep it vertical/upright).
Measure the air gap from the top rim of the outer sleeve to the oil surface — adjust by adding or sucking out oil to reach spec (e.g., 150 mm). Reinstall spring/spacer/cap, torque to spec, and test ride to confirm feel.
Why Extended? Compressed measurement is common on some inverted (USD) forks or older designs, but not for the V7 II's conventional telescopic forks. Extended ensures the full volume is accounted for, preventing issues like insufficient air space for compression or excessive pressure.
So I don't Know............. I do know that when Martin and I did Larry's Matris Fork kit at Bills a couple years ago, we measured the air gap with forks extended.
As I said on ADV I'm almost positive when I swapped the fork springs on the MYS I measured the airgap with the forks extended and oil was close to the expected (110-120), but it could have been compressed......
Just checked my Service Notes.
Official Moto Guzzi Spec and Procedure (from V7 II Service Station Manuals)
Fork oil type: AGIP Fork 7.5W (or equivalent SAE 7.5W fork oil; some manuals allow SAE 5W or 20W as alternatives depending on climate/ride preference).
Air gap specification: Typically 150 mm (from the sleeve/outer tube rim to the oil level, with spring and preload spacer removed). The level must be identical in both legs for balanced handling.
Measurement position: Forks fully extended (stanchion/tube pulled out to maximum, fork leg upright and unloaded). This is the standard for air gap measurement on conventional right-side-up forks like those on the V7 II.
The manual states: Measure the air gap "from sleeve rim, without the spring and with the stem at the end of the stroke" — interpreted in context as extended position (full extension/end of outward stroke).
Do not measure compressed — that would give a falsely high oil level reading (smaller air gap) and lead to overfilling, which can cause harsh bottoming or fluid blowout.
Step-by-Step Fork Oil Level Procedure (per Manual)
Remove the fork cap, spring, and any preload spacer.
Ensure the fork leg is fully extended (bike on center stand with front wheel off ground, or fork removed and held upright).
Pump the fork a few times after initial fill to release air bubbles and fill internal passages.
Wait a few minutes for oil to settle.
Insert a ruler, dipstick, or fork oil level gauge straight down the tube (keep it vertical/upright).
Measure the air gap from the top rim of the outer sleeve to the oil surface — adjust by adding or sucking out oil to reach spec (e.g., 150 mm). Reinstall spring/spacer/cap, torque to spec, and test ride to confirm feel.
Why Extended? Compressed measurement is common on some inverted (USD) forks or older designs, but not for the V7 II's conventional telescopic forks. Extended ensures the full volume is accounted for, preventing issues like insufficient air space for compression or excessive pressure.
So I don't Know............. I do know that when Martin and I did Larry's Matris Fork kit at Bills a couple years ago, we measured the air gap with forks extended.
