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I had some paint work done. Several painters (and I use that word loosely) wouldn't touch the job because they didn't have the color codes. I found a guy that kinda grinned and giggled when I told him there were no color codes. The paint matches better than the factory paint.
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General Discussion / Re: Guzzi doesn't get old, it ages
« Last post by Vecchio Lupo on Today at 01:39:21 PM »
Faffi,   yes that is the OE fairing, it was only offered for about 4 years or so. Not a big seller but I really like it.  The weather protection is excellent. I purchased a new 89 model in 1990, rode all over the Country. Sold it, bought it back, sold it again....regretted it. found this abused 1990 model near me and once rehab is complete, I'll go everywhere again.
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General Discussion / Re: Audace stumbles on WOT
« Last post by bmc5733946 on Today at 01:31:38 PM »
I don't believe that spring clamps are up to the task of a high pressure pump, about 40psi if memory serves. I am willing to be corrected. I always use little rolled edge eared clamps rated for fuel injection.

Brian
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General Discussion / Re: Overcharging???
« Last post by Vecchio Lupo on Today at 01:18:28 PM »
yes Sir, 1990 would be Bosch.    I'll put another couple meters on it...yes 16v worried me, I cant believe the Chinese would sell me cheap junk.  If it aint broke, dont fix it.

Thats what Im using, a Chinese bar mounted usb charger voltage gauge
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General Discussion / Re: Overcharging???
« Last post by Vecchio Lupo on Today at 01:17:12 PM »
yes Sir, 1990 would be Bosch.    I'll put another couple meters on it...yes 16v worried me, I cant believe the Chinese would sell me cheap junk.  If it aint broke, dont fix it.
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General Discussion / Re: Overcharging???
« Last post by Dirk_S on Today at 01:16:57 PM »
I can’t remember if you get a more accurate reading off the battery, or…
I’m using one of those cheap, bar-mounted USB accessory ports on my BMW R80/7 that also shows voltage because I still don’t fully trust that bike’s old, worn charging system. Connected directly to the battery, it’s showing a proper max delivery of 14.4V, but now you’re making me wonder if I can even trust that number.
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General Discussion / Re: Overcharging???
« Last post by wirespokes on Today at 01:13:34 PM »
Sixteen volts would fry the battery from my understanding, so I'd tend to believe the stock voltmeter. Check voltage with a trustworthy volt meter.

I get the feeling the alternator is behaving normally.

Just guessing this is the Bosch alternator, not the Ducati permanent magnet type?
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General Discussion / Cold Weather Riding Gear
« Last post by Dirk_S on Today at 01:08:41 PM »
Now that I finally got my BMW R80/7’s charging system worked out (fingers crossed) and my Oxford heated gears refreshed (controller wasn’t working until I WD40’ed the [wet] snot out of the pins), I feel fairly prepared for this winter season. I’m planning a winter camping trip within the next couple weeks at a lean-to in the White Mountain National Forest about an hour and half away (Province Pond, NH), similar to the Christmas Eve camping trip I did a couple years ago at another lean-to shelter just a few more miles north (Mountain Pond, NH). Hoping to come home with a Christmas tree, having already purchased a $7 tree-cutting permit from the U.S. Forest. My Silky Big Boy saw will make the trip (love that thing).

Now—the meat of this post. I just had the stupid brilliant idea of riding my BMW rig nearly 500 miles from Portland, Maine to York, Pennsylvania to make a surprise visit to family over the Christmas holiday. I might plan for two days down and two days up if it’s cold enough. Not only is long exposure to weather a factor here, but I still don’t have complete trust in the inner workings of this 47-year old machine sold to me “in good condition” just 2.5 years ago. A glutton for punishment, or anecdotal resources for good storytelling? Anyway.

I want to read what works for those who have done long, cold rides. Cold as in sub-40°F. Better yet, sub-freezing. And I’d really like to see what people have used aside from alternator-draining electric gear, because my heated grips and USB port will be about all the BMW’s charging system—similar in watts to our Guzzi small blocks—can properly handle.

My current cold weather riding gear (keeping in mind that I ride year-round in New England)

Base Layers: wool socks over a thinner liner sock; leggings or long underwear bottoms; my Klim cold-weather top (really good!);

Mid-Layers: synthetic active pants & my thin, convertible travel pants; Amazon synthetic packable puffy (favorite warm mid-layer discovery, nears any micro-fleece I’ve tried); another mid-layer top as needed (perhaps my synthetic-down Carhartt vest or an aforementioned long-sleeved micro-fleece);

Outer Layers: wind/water-resistant Caterpillar winter coat (surprisingly chic to the gentrified city folk); cheap snow bibs; waterproof Danner winter boots; Aerostich deerskin gauntlets;

Extra Weather Protection: Frog-Toggs rain jacket and pants; Aerostich Triple Digit rain gloves (lobster-style);

Head/Neck Protection: Klim Arctic balaclava (very good!); keffiyeh/shemagh (preferred over a scarf these days)

Extra Hand Protection: Oxford heated grips, Hippo Hands (Alcan model);


A few pics from my scouting trip of Province Pond 2 weekends ago:




And some photos from the Mountain Pond Christmas trip 2 years ago:



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General Discussion / Overcharging???
« Last post by Vecchio Lupo on Today at 12:46:43 PM »
Boys, Ive got a 90 Cal III, good piece of kit. the dash mounted volt meter (insert Veglia Electronnica joke here:) shows under 12v at idle but once moving runs up to 13-14v steady. I checked voltage at idle and just above with meter and was healthy 12.8 up to 13.5 ish, so great.

I installed a digital constant monitoring guage (made in China so you know it's good) and saw where once off idle and cruising it read 16v. only reading 13 at idle.

I think 16v is too much...I suspect the 35 year old Diode board and regulator/regulator.

opinions???????

I have a NIB thunder child diode board leftover from a Boxer project.  and of course R/Rs are cheap .
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General Discussion / Re: Audace stumbles on WOT
« Last post by toomanybikes on Today at 12:38:11 PM »
Does your tank make the moaning whale sound? If so, you likely found part of your issue. Also, on the riders right hand side of the intake plenum is a vent that goes from the charcoal canister to the intake. That connection can sometimes be less than hand tight. It’s best to remove that and put a bolt in the plenum instead.

If you do an internet search on moaning whale Moto Guzzi 1400 and tip over valve remedy, you will very likely find the solutions to your issues. The Tip Over valve is often a particular source of frustration on the 1400s. I gutted mine recently following the instructions to the T.

Also, if you have the 2016 and earlier firmware in the ECU, that was also quite poor. If going to a dealer is an option to get the latest 2017 firmware downloaded into the ECU that may also work. The ECU on the 1400’s was specifically designed not to receive aftermarket downloads. The last thing you’d want is to brick the ECU.

Also, your fuel filter is the hood type. Some of the earlier ones were half metal and half plastic that was sure to deform. If you haven’t yet, pouring a can of Seafoam in the tank and running it through is also a very good idea.

But confirming the mechanical issues are solid is your first coarse of action.

I haven't heard any moaning whales, so I won't go down that thread. The nearest guzzi dealer is 2 hours away via the slab, so I'll leave the ECU alone for now.

I've replaced the filter (see pic, oddly I had the correct one on hand), so will try that and investigate the plenum item you mention.





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