V7 II Stone first 17 days / 540 miles

[SportsterDoc]

1. Love the low end torque...and I am already accustomed to H-D Sportsters.
2. Love the 5.55 gallon fuel tank
3. Love the light weight (436#)
4. Love accessibility for checking spark plugs
5. Love  the black powder coated alloy wheels (does not show grime and I really appreciate tubeless tires)
6. Love key access to seat removal (two bolts on Bonneville and one bolt on Sportsters)
7. Love the seat height...not too low...not to high
8. Love the storage under the seat for a small tool bag, spare fuses, spare spark plugs, 6x9 zip lock bag of schematics, etc.
9. Love readability of the gauges...although the numbers could be a tad bigger for 70 year old eyes
10. Love the ground clearance and lean angle capabilities
11. Love the shaft drive
12. Air filter (AP8104924) is inexpensive at $8 - $9
13. Spark plugs (NGK CPR8EB-9) can be ordered from O'Reilly's for $4.49 each
14. Yuasa YTX14-BS battery equivalent is stocked at my local O'Reillys (ETX14), a factory filled AGM for $102.99
15. The 3 relays (headlight on after startup, start and injectors) are the same part number (AP8224462) and are only about $7
16. Appreciate easy access to air filter, fuses and battery, although 3 relays are under the fuel tank
17. Most sensors (and injectors) are easy access (right head temp, oil pressure switch, engine RPM, etc), but some are not (neutral switch, TPS, coils)
18. Seat has been comfortable for up 6 hour days, thus far; whereas both Sportsters and Bonneville seat required upgrades for more than 50 miles.   Can better evaluate after a 300+ mile, 5 hour+ run to Stove Pipe Wells in Death Valley, planned for the end of March.
19. This is the first bike which may remain absolutely stock, other than a Dart Marlin flyscreen, removal of decals and stickers and LED tail/stop 1157.
20. Only negatives are:
Major
A. the lean mixture, both cold start (likes 2 minutes +) and even after a "warm" start after only a few minutes shutdown, which likes almost a full minute after re-start.
Minor
B. a few things are crowded under the tank/between the heads (throttle body, coil, etc.)
C. Haven't figured out how to get a lift to the frame, to miss the exhaust and side stand switch.

[Kev m]

Sounds pretty similar to the thoughts in my head... or is that noises? 

Lifting it can be done with:

1. Accessory centerstand
2. Adaptor of wood under motor and maybe some posts on it reaching back towards the frame rails under the trans (at least that's how I did it on Tonti big blocks, but so far see #1 for me).

[tasdisr]

I only have about 250 miles on my V7 since taking delivery in mid December but I agree with you on the pluses of the V7.
Other than the cold start my only issue was the stock mirrors which I just replaced with some Aprilla mirrors which made a huge difference for me.

[SportsterDoc]

Thanks to forum member SIB for the input on item 15.

[Darmie]

I was considering this type of jack but un sure if I need one. Currently I place a jack stand under the right side of the bike and raise up the left side with an auto floor jack.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017IFQI5A?psc=1

[SportsterDoc]

I was considering this type of jack but un sure if I need one. Currently I place a jack stand under the right side of the bike and raise up the left side with an auto floor jack.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017IFQI5A?psc=1

1. Good price at $52.99
2. Good capacity at 1100 pounds
3. Reasonable weight to move around at 31 pounds
4. Good reviews
5. Appears to require 2 to lift both wheels off the ground - but can it be positioned far enough forward to lift only front wheel?
6. No tie down loops...but maybe best to secure balance otherwise, since it has flanges to bolt to floor or a larger steel plate.

I have a heavy duty eye bolt in my ceiling to maintain balance (not support weight)

[Kev m]

1. Good price at $52.99
2. Good capacity at 1100 pounds
3. Reasonable weight to move around at 31 pounds
4. Good reviews
5. Appears to require 2 to lift both wheels off the ground - but can it be positioned far enough forward to lift only front wheel?
6. No tie down loops...but maybe best to secure balance otherwise, since it has flanges to bolt to floor or a larger steel plate.

I have a heavy duty eye bolt in my ceiling to maintain balance (not support weight)

That's basically the type of jack you get with most table lifts.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Anyone with the accessory centerstand - how is cornering clearance?

[Kev m]

Anyone with the accessory centerstand - how is cornering clearance?

Never been an issue for me, not even at the track day last summer.

[sib]

I was considering this type of jack but un sure if I need one. Currently I place a jack stand under the right side of the bike and raise up the left side with an auto floor jack.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017IFQI5A?psc=1

That's what I use.  With the sliding cradles positioned under the lower frame cross piece, it holds the bike up stably and allows easy rear wheel removal, and to allow the wheel to be turned by hand when adjusting valve clearance.  With the cradles removed, I can place the jack under the front of the sump, with a piece of wood 4x4 between them, and lift the front wheel off the ground for easy removal.  I managed to do a complete front and rear suspension upgrade using nothing more than this jack to lift the bike.  I highly recommend it.

[malik]

I have a mate with a V7 II Special. He ordered the centre stand when ordering the bike. One finally arrived - a year later - a H&B one, I believe. And he's a very happy chappie. He reports that it so very much easier to use than that on his previous V7Classic & there's no problem with clearance.

As for the cold start issue - check with Beetle to find out the latest on the V7 II re-mapping project.

And 70 year old eyes on the dash? Tell me about it! I'd prefer white faced instruments. I guess I'll get to try that out when I replace the speedo on the V7C with one from Speedhut - the odometer is rumoured to stop at 199,999 km, so it's likely to be next year.

Mal

[stevet]

C. Haven't figured out how to get a lift to the frame, to miss the exhaust and side stand switch.

I haven't inquired in close to a year, but the V7II bikes still have no factory center stand that I am aware of.  Research the use of the other 3rd party brands.  I recall reports from folks where some 3rd party stands were allowing the bike to roll forward off the stand with almost no effort, not very secure at all.

Anyway, here is how I solved my problem with getting my V7II up off the ground, including photos and links to the lift mfr.
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=82965.0

Steve.

[Clancy]

Last week I received the LGC (Stucchi) centre stand for my V7-II (been saving the pennies for a while for this - hated not having a centre stand).
Installation was simple & straightforward.
The stand operated fine.
But.
The gear shift linkage behind the transmission was fouling with the stand's bar that supports the springs.



upload image




A visiting friend was adamant that I should send it back and was shocked that I would take a grinder to it. Didn't seem to make sense to me to dick around with international returns when all they'd do is what I just did in 5mins.



imageupload

Cleaned it up with a file & a dab of paint - all good.
While I was at it I trimmed a (very) little off the end stops so the bike sits on the stand more securely.
Very happy now with the product.

I also use an ATV lift to raise the bike. Got it on sale for AU$80. Was well worth getting.

[redhawk47]

I have a jack like that referenced in reply #4, works great.
I have a Hepco-Becker center stand. Works well but long enough that I have trouble getting the bike on it. I roll the rear tire up on a 2x4 to make it easier. No problem with it coming off the stand too easily. If you have one that does come off too easily it should be easy to adjust the stops.

I love my V7II stone for all of the stated reasons, but I do have one "complaint". Both the speedo and the tach have two digit numbers - 10, 20, 30, etc. Usually tachs have single digit numbers - 1, 2, 3, etc. Even after 1200 miles I find myself looking at the tach thinking that it is the speedo, or vice versa. Sometimes it is hard to teach old dogs new tricks. (Yes, I am aware that the speedo also has the numbers for KPH, I'm trying to teach myself to be aware of that.)