Hello all,
I've just completed a pretty comprehensive rebuild on my 75 850T. Its got new pistons, barrels, rod and main bearings, timing chain, tensioner, valves, guides and so on. New clutch kit with large spline clutch hub, etc, etc. The bike starts, runs and shifts absolutely perfect. It's got a nice, deep rumble going down the road. It pulls very nicely under load. It now has about 35 break-in miles on it as of today. I started to notice that the engine would bog down and even die when I'd pull the clutch in. I pulled it back into my shop to investigate a little more. I thought maybe the clutch was not adjusted correctly, new parts, new cable, right? Some break-in is expected with new parts. Not so much. I didn't like the noise it made when I got it on the lift. With the bike running in neutral, with the slightest bit of clutch lever actuation, it seemed to rattle a bit and bog down and eventually die. The noise was more prevalent on the left side of the bike and couldn't pinpoint its origin. Well, I fear this may not be a good thing. I am not a Guzzi mechanic, but a pretty darned good mechanic in general. My gut tells me that this may be the crankshaft walking. If the torque value on the crankshaft nut is not torqued correctly, I'd think it would allow for some excess end float on the crank, maybe causing some binding on the moving parts? I ran out of time to dig into more than just a clutch adjustment.
Can I ask the Guzzi experts out there a question?? Is there an outside chance that I can get into the timing chest and confirm/re-torque the crankshaft nut? If it is loose, is this a done deal for the engine I just rebuilt, or can it be saved this early in the break in? No other noises heard while under hard acceleration.
Thanks in advance.
JD
