My old life is over...

[neverquit]

In the original post Rick states "correctly oriented V-Twin".  I like that description and think I'll use it in the future.  Thanks Ricik.

[Orange Guzzi]

Pics of my new baby...

The bike does not have the OEM foot peg set up.  The Titanium and Aluminium were called Special Sports and had the driver pegs further back. 

[wymple]

Don't let the possibility of mechanical issues scare you. Almost anything ever made has it's quirks and a lot of them are far more trouble than found on a Guzzi. Tell your friend to price a fuel pump fix on his Goldwing, he'll need a loan. Most eighties Japanese bikes are part time classics, our Guzzis we ride as daily drivers. Only in Guzziland is 2004 considered "recent".

[pebra]

I certainly can see him falling for that bike!
Welcome, Rick!

[PeteS]

I *think* this is true. My memory is suspect, though. I'd have a valve cover off and look post haste, anyway.

Don't the dealers put a couple of punch marks next to the vin number on the crankcase after the fix?
Nice bike Rick. If you need any work on the bike there is a good wrench in East Aurora who used to work at the the late Al Gillen's shop in Holland. Good chance that bike came from Al's shop.

Pete

[davevv]

Congratulations on a great bike.  I had this '03 for a couple years and it was a joy.  You're going to love it.

[Rick in WNY]

Thanks everyone... this is, hopefully, the start of one heck of an adventure for me. And if hearing all the "what could go wrong" stories haven't scared me off, I don't know what will.

Seriously, I appreciate all the info, sounds like doing my checks on it tomorrow will be relatively quick and make it easy to hand over the cash. I greatly appreciate all the help!

I'll have to take pictures when she gets home.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks everyone... this is, hopefully, the start of one heck of an adventure for me. And if hearing all the "what could go wrong" stories haven't scared me off, I don't know what will.

Seriously, I appreciate all the info, sounds like doing my checks on it tomorrow will be relatively quick and make it easy to hand over the cash. I greatly appreciate all the help!

I'll have to take pictures when she gets home.

Ok, Rick.. one other thing. It's been alluded that Guzzis are "different." It is true. I've been riding them a long time and many guys have told me that when they bought their first Guzzi and rode away their first thought was, "what have I done?" After several hundred or thousand miles, they say, "They'll pry this Guzzi from my cold dead hands."  You will *love* the engine.. and after all, that is what a motorcycle is all about. Don't ride it like a Harley.. ride it like a Duck.

[pete roper]

Methinks being a 2004 it should be good from the get-go but a quick squizz under the rocker cover will tell the tale on the valvetrain. Bottom yoke? Not so sure. Clutch should be a twin plater that year.

Pete

[Rick in WNY]

Checked the bike out yesterday, she's an early 04 but she has been into the shop to get the lifter fix. Popped the clutch inspection cover and... multi plate clutch. She's damn near bulletproof... so I brought her home.

I am... a very happy guy who now owns a Moto Guzzi.

Thank you everyone for the help, can't wait for tomorrow when I can put my fine Italian lady on the road.

[Chuck in Indiana]

  Another case of if you live long enough, something will turn out right.. Congrats.

[hidn45]

Another in the fold!  Welcome.

Hope to see you both in Westfield in 3 weeks!

[vibr8r]

Checked the bike out yesterday, she's an early 04 but she has been into the shop to get the lifter fix. Popped the clutch inspection cover and... multi plate clutch. She's damn near bulletproof... so I brought her home.

I am... a very happy guy who now owns a Moto Guzzi.

Thank you everyone for the help, can't wait for tomorrow when I can put my fine Italian lady on the road.

In case you didn't get a manual, Guzzi recommends 5w40 oil for the hydro engines.  Enjoy the ride. 

[Tom H]

In case you didn't get a manual, Guzzi recommends 5w40 oil for the hydro engines.  Enjoy the ride. 

Woo Hoo, the start of an oil thread. JUST KIDDING

Congrats on the new ride!!! You'r gonna love it!!

Tom

[Tom]

Congrats on the bike.    Rev' it when riding.  Shift at 5K and cruise at 4k.  5th gear is overdrive and properly used will get you speeding tickets. 

[Rick in WNY]

Thanks vibr8r... but she did come with a manual... and an extra oil pan gasket. Can someone explain WHY they put the filter inside the pan? And how often do I need to change the fluids?

Remember, Guzzi Rookie here... I have a lot to learn!

[Kev m]

Congrats on the bike.    Rev' it when riding.  Shift at 5K and cruise at 4k.  5th gear is overdrive and properly used will get you speeding tickets.

I thought the Hydro motors were cam'd for lower rpm than the solid tappet Tonti Calis? And that said, IIRC even my Jackal was happy pretty much throughout the 3k rpm range, I don't think I held it at 4k often when cruising, even on the highway.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks vibr8r... but she did come with a manual... and an extra oil pan gasket. Can someone explain WHY they put the filter inside the pan? And how often do I need to change the fluids?

Remember, Guzzi Rookie here... I have a lot to learn!

Guzzi recommendation is to change the filter every 9K miles or once a year. Oil change every 3K miles. For most people, that means once a year to drop the oil pan and clean it out when changing the filter.. something you don't get to do on most engines. The other pro is it is invulnerable to damage there.
That's about it for the pros. 
It's no big deal.. unless.. you don't have a lift or grease pit. I never gave it a thought until I was laying on the driveway in SoCal..then it became a PITA.

[Dilliw]

Thanks vibr8r... but she did come with a manual... and an extra oil pan gasket. Can someone explain WHY they put the filter inside the pan? And how often do I need to change the fluids?

Remember, Guzzi Rookie here... I have a lot to learn!

I believe the manual says change the filter every other oil change but I tend to do it every spring regardless of mileage.  Your bike should have the drain plug with the magnets on it so you can see if there's anything floating around.   I've never found anything on the plug or inside the pan worth worrying about.

One thing you might find is mayo from condensation in the oil. With cool temps and shorter days of winter I have found it when I drop the pan in the spring.   I've learned to take a long, hard ride before I drop the pan now.  That might result in a big puddle of puke from the airbox drain so make sure you park it where it's ok to mark your territory. 

[Rick in WNY]

OK, so what's a good 5w-40 oil for the Guzzi? I'm tempted to use Shell Rotella T6... 5w-40, full synthetic.

Opinions?

[Bill Owens]

Here we go!

[Bill Owens]

Some will say to use an oil that specifies SG rating . That's what I use.

[Dilliw]

Here we go!

Wait until we get to the Uni vs. all other filters too!

Anecdotal, but I've used Rotella T-6 for the 12 years I've owned my Hydro and through 3 different formulations from Shell.  It still runs.

[Tom H]

Wait until we get to the Uni vs. all other filters too!

Anecdotal, but I've used Rotella T-6 for the 12 years I've owned my Hydro and through 3 different formulations from Shell.  It still runs.

To help the new guy out just like I was helped with my Hydro. Keep it simple. Shell Rotella t-6 full synthetic 5W-40 works and is priced right at most places. Can be had at wallyworld, auto parts stores and the like.

Tom

[Muzz]

Being a smallblock guy I don't have this "problem" , but is it time to mention the hose clamp?

[Tom]

Sure!  Why not???   

[Tom H]

Do it Muzz!!

Tom

[Muzz]

I dunno. I would hate the Wrath of Dusty to descend on Me.

[Rick in WNY]

Do I really want to know what this "hose clamp" is about?  :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

[Muzz]

Allright, I will!

Rick, the smallblock has the filter in it's own little hole with a cover, so I don't have to drop the sump. In your case as you have found out, you do. Although it is not from personal experience there are 14 screws around the outside and two in the pan somewhere. (Did I get that right guys?) Some have had the oil filter unscrew during use, which I understand is not good. A fix in the usual Guzzi manner (cheap is good, free is better) was, once the new filter has been installed, clamp a hose clamp around it . I gather there are a couple of protrusions in the casting around the filter and the the screw on the clamp hits these and stops the filter unscrewing.

I can assure you, this is not in jest. If the filter does not unscrew itself, no harm done. If it does though, that hose clamp will save your motor.

Penderic probably has a photo of one installed, he has a photo of everything else!