V7iii First Service

[Kiwi_Roy]

My V7iii Special is due for it's 1K (km) service so I dropped by the dealer
They quoted me CAD$717 which I thought was a bit steep
The parts content is $230 which I have no argument with they will sell me all that's listed but $420 for labour, hell I have nothing but time now I have retired and this is Guzzi No 6 for me.
I think I will have a crack at it, I suggested I might to the service manager, he didn't seem to have a problem with it just said keep all your recipts.

Actually the biggest thing against just dropping it off, they want it the night before so it's cool for tappet adjust and its a real pain for me to get home from the dealership.

Is there anything tricky about the first service?
Tappet clearances are they in the service manual of has this been modified?
Head bolt torque, is the figure in the service manual correct?

How many of you did your first service?

Thanks in advance
Roy

[Kev m]

I've never had a Guzzi serviced by a dealer (other than the one time Ferracci insisted when he was looking at a warranty issue and in retrospect he was a lying dick).

The initial service is simple.

And for the like 10th time this week, THERE IS NO HEAD RETORQUE ON A HEMI HEAD SMALLBLOCK or any other Guzzi in years... The 2016 heron head V7II was the last ridiculous hold out.

You'll be fine!

Edit-btw I did the first service on my Jackal, Breva 1100, V7 Stone, and more than a half dozen Harleys and a few other bikes for friends.... And will on the IIID soon.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Thanks Kev
I sent a PM

[Siamese]

What a ripoff.  $230.00 for parts?  Oil and and an oil filter?  $230.00?!?! 

The valve tappet clearances are on a sticker under the seat. 

[malik]

What a ripoff.  $230.00 for parts?  Oil and and an oil filter?  $230.00?!?! 

The valve tappet clearances are on a sticker under the seat.

Don't forget the air filter & maybe spark plugs, new crush washers. But still. It's a Guzzi, not a KTM.

[Huzo]

I don’t own a small block Guzzi...(yet)
Is the Mk 2 a “small block”..? Dunno.
But I do all of my own work, unless it’s too specialised for me like re maps or TB work. Seems to me like the Alladin’s cave of information available here will hold you in good stead if you ask questions before proceeding into the unknown.
Usually in my case, I know what to do empirically, but will ring Pete just to make sure there are no land mines lying in wait for me.
I have the privilege to be able to phone, but this forum can provide all the guidance people like me (or with respect yourself), will need.
Have fun..!

[Thirtyaughtsix]

What a ripoff.  $230.00 for parts?  Oil and and an oil filter?  $230.00?!?! 

The valve tappet clearances are on a sticker under the seat.

He did say Canadian but idk, I don't think the conversion from US to CAD is that steep. Cadre sent me their kit for $110 to my door

[sign216]

Kiwi,
Guzzis are easy to work on, especially the smallblocks.  I wrote some tutorials for the 1st generation of V7.  Not exactly on point for you, but it's got a few tips.  And my assistants are easy on the eyes.
Joe

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157626993357143

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157625625067451

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157638864403325

[KiwiKev]

Hi Roy, as discussed my Roamer first service cost me $340:00 kiwi dollars (approx $302 Can) so $700 does seem pretty steep for sure. I reckon you'll enjoy the experience and get to know each other better.
Have fun.

[Kev m]

Don't forget the air filter & maybe spark plugs, new crush washers.

Why would you replace them at a break-in service?

I haven't checked the chart but I can't imagine they are in any way necessary.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Thank-you Gentlemen, I will certainly give it a go.

Roy

[Vagrant]

What a ripoff.  $230.00 for parts?  Oil and and an oil filter?  $230.00?!?! 

The valve tappet clearances are on a sticker under the seat.

I think the III seat sticker or book or both was wrong. 4 & 6 is correct. my cheat sheet with all the correct numbers won't open but there was a lot of discussion early on and a factory guy gave us the right #. 

[jpv7]

I've never had a Guzzi serviced by a dealer (other than the one time Ferracci insisted when he was looking at a warranty issue and in retrospect he was a lying dick).

The initial service is simple.

And for the like 10th time this week, THERE IS NO HEAD RETORQUE ON A HEMI HEAD SMALLBLOCK or any other Guzzi in years... The 2016 heron head V7II was the last ridiculous hold out.

You'll be fine!

Edit-btw I did the first service on my Jackal, Breva 1100, V7 Stone, and more than a half dozen Harleys and a few other bikes for friends.... And will on the IIID soon.

+1.  I always chuckle when people question why I do the first service myself, citing warranty concerns.  My answer is always "because I want it done right, and I don't want my bike to be screwed up".  You ever peek into the service area of these shops in the spring?  It's crazy busy, and everyone is rushing around...

[JACoH]

I did have my dealer perform the first service on my 2017 V7 III Special, charged me about $200.  The bike hasn't seen the dealer since, now at 16,000 miles, I do all servicing. BTW, I contacted Piaggio about the discrepancy 'twixt service manual and the rear fender sticker for valve clearance. They told me the sticker on fender is correct.

[Beowulf]

I had my dealer do my first service for my v7ii. I deeply regret it.
I managed to fix the issues associated with the first service performed by the dealer. But in end the dealer did not understand Guzzi, did not set valves correctly overfilled my oil and did not retorque my heads. Also left my seat loose. Charged me 360 bucks. What Ive learned from this is  to do it myself because I care about the bike and the dealer does not.

[Siamese]

Don't forget the air filter & maybe spark plugs, new crush washers. But still. It's a Guzzi, not a KTM.

Air filter and spark plug not due at first service.  Crush gaskets if you want.

[Siamese]

Okay, so my final thought on Guzzi first service.

The most difficult part of the first service for any motorcycle without hydraulic lifters, is the valve adjustment.  On one end of the spectrum, there are the bikes that require a couple hours of dismantling the fairing and undoing electrical components and hoses just to get to the tappet covers.  Then lift the cam, and measure for the shims that will give the correct tappet clearance. 

On the other end of the spectrum is the V7III, where the tappet covers are right there!  Pull up a comfy stool and get to work.  Of all the vehicles I've owned that required valve adjustments, from my 1968 VW beetle, my numerous motorcycles, and the diesel on my sailboat, my V7III is by far the easiest to adjust.  It's one of the reasons I bought it. 

I get the idea that some owners prefer to have all their service done by a dealer.  Sort of.  Okay, so part of me says if you can't do the service on a V7III, who wipes your butt?  If you were ever going to do your own service, the V7III begs for it. 

Other than the tappets, there's the engine oil and filter...easy.  And, the gearbox oil change...also easy.  I had to buy a new 24mm open end wrench to get to the drain plug, as the exhaust crossover prevents getting a socket in there.  But, easy. 

The transmission (final drive) doesn't get done at the first service. 

$700 for what was an enjoyable afternoon for me?  That's like getting paid two or three hundred dollars an hour for and easy chore.

[Vagrant]

4 & 6 THOUSANDS is correct according the the engineer who designed it.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I did have my dealer perform the first service on my 2017 V7 III Special, charged me about $200.  The bike hasn't seen the dealer since, now at 16,000 miles, I do all servicing. BTW, I contacted Piaggio about the discrepancy 'twixt service manual and the rear fender sticker for valve clearance. They told me the sticker on fender is correct.

Since the first thing I did was rip all the stickers off, what does it say there?

Part of the kit is 6 rubber washers part No 1A006716 called on the packet Buffer Damper, look a bit like tap washers, what are those for?
Thanks
Roy

[drab]

And for the like 10th time this week, THERE IS NO HEAD RETORQUE ON A HEMI HEAD SMALLBLOCK or any other Guzzi in years... The 2016 heron head V7II was the last ridiculous hold out.

You'll be fine!

glad I came across this.  I bought a 2017 v7iii on Thursday.  It is past due for its first service.  Before I picked up the bike I talked to the Guzzi mechanic trying to decide if I should do it myself or if it needed any special. He stressed that the most important thing is to re-torque the heads...  So maybe he didn't hear what bike I had, or he doesn't really know what he is talking about.

I am going to do the first service tomorrow.  Looks easy - especially since there are several options for the valve specs.. It surely already matches one of them   :)

[Kiwi_Roy]

I was going to have a crack at it this afternoon but I spent the time figuring out how to get it off the ground, ready to go tomorrow.
The nice thing about doing it yourself, you can do it at your pace.

[smdl]

Kiwi,
Guzzis are easy to work on, especially the smallblocks.  I wrote some tutorials for the 1st generation of V7.  Not exactly on point for you, but it's got a few tips.  And my assistants are easy on the eyes.
Joe

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157626993357143

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157625625067451

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157638864403325

Despite having done all my own work for many years, I find myself thinking that I might need some help with some of the regular maintenance items on my Guzzis.  Would your, um, assistants possibly be available to help me through a few procedures?

Sincerely,
Shaun

[Kiwi_Roy]

Despite having done all my own work for many years, I find myself thinking that I might need some help with some of the regular maintenance items on my Guzzis.  Would your, um, assistants possibly be available to help me through a few procedures?

Sincerely,
Shaun

I think most guys are too experienced to need that sort of help, me i'm always willing to learn new ideas, i find I have a particular problem changing filters.

[malik]

You're lucky then you don't have the V7 Ckassic/Breva 750 filters - a right royal pain in the proverbial.

[sign216]

I think most guys are too experienced to need that sort of help, me i'm always willing to learn new ideas, i find I have a particular problem changing filters.

Kiwi-Roy,
Read Shawn SMDL's earlier post more closely, particularly the italicized portion, and you'll see what he's looking for.  Esp. if you've  reviewed my tutorials.  He's looking for the kind of help we all could use.

Malik,
Air filter change in the earlier V7/Breva/Nevada bikes isn't easy, especially if you use the factory approach.  But I found easier way on a Spanish site, and I used it for my tutorial, posted below in mssg #8.

Joe

[mechanicsavant]

My dealer was nice enough to give me a copy of required specs to do the first service ,providing I purchased the parts from him. He's done this with previous bikes I bought there.He did recommend (strongly) I bring the bike in so he could plug it into the mothership &stamp the manual so as to have a service history. As a CYA just in case,so far so good.Oh l usually lubricant the service team w/a box of doughnuts. They charged me $35 & it took about 30 min. I don't know how much with out 🍩 !

[usedtobefast]

Humm, two threads going on first service ... guess I'll double post ...

... the valve clearances are different in the 2-3 places they appear (manual, vs. sticker under seat, vs. service manual maybe) ... I went with intake of 0.10mm and exhaust at 0.15mm (they are also listed at .15mm intake and .20mm exhaust in some places).  From everything I read the .1 & .15 are correct, the others were probably copy-paste mistakes from prior models.

... oil quantities are off a bit ... I ended up at 1.8 in the engine (vs. stated 2 I believe) ... 450cc in the place where the gears slide around (vs 500cc)

... no need to re-torque the V7 iii heads, that is a ii and older thing

... if you really don't want to lift the rear end off the ground, you can roll it forward in gear to get to TDC.  A bit awkward, but if you don't have a stand you might try the odd awkward approach.   

Overall very easy to do.

I also bought the "kits" at AF1 ... they come with OEM filter, o-rings, washers, and factory recommended oil brand and weight.  (They are in Austin, TX)

[usedtobefast]

Despite having done all my own work for many years, I find myself thinking that I might need some help with some of the regular maintenance items on my Guzzis.  Would your, um, assistants possibly be available to help me through a few procedures?

Sincerely,
Shaun

You mean like come over and help, or post up here to help?  Looks like you are in the UK, so I can't stop by.       But I'm sure there are plenty here willing to help with any basic-to-hard questions. 

[sign216]

You mean like come over and help, or post up here to help?  Looks like you are in the UK, so I can't stop by.       But I'm sure there are plenty here willing to help with any basic-to-hard questions.

You are all missing SMDL's point.  Look at Shaun's post closely, particularly what he put in italics. 

Is this really so hard?

[Kev m]

You are all missing SMDL's point. < Snip >
Is this really so hard?

A. 

B. Obviously not, at least for some of these old guys.