Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: FJGUZZI on August 10, 2019, 03:33:17 PM
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Hi guys, my name is Jorge and I am from Portugal.
I recently bought my first Moto Guzzi after searching for some 6 months for a small block, 350 or 500, that would help me get back into riding a motorcycle before I purchase and brand new one, most probably a V7.
My last bike was a Yamaha YZ125 and that was 23 years ago! In my late 40's, with two adult kids already I am now experiencing more freedom and wanted to enjoy some of the 250 days + of sun per year on my own...
I wanted a scrambler styled bike as I am surrounded by mountains and fantastic dirt tracks so when I finally found this Nevada 350 with 15000 kms going for €2500 I had to part with the cash. My Mrs wasn't amused with the idea, having known me when I regularly rode the YZ and fell down a few times, some carrying injuries, but I had to go for it.
I just love staring at it. It brings me back great memories.
Now, the bike is below, it was bought like this, already customized in a rad transformation that makes it nowhere near the original Nevada...
(https://portcorner.com/media/journal/guzzi_3.jpg)
I am happy with it so far, after 2 months and some 1000 kms, not much you may say but I intend to use it more when I work on the front forks that are just too soft and make it quite uncomfortable after say 30 minutes of b and c roads bumps.. (may just be time for an oil change).
Everything else is fine, maybe apart from the idle being quite high all the time (2-2500 rpm) and my mechanic already rebuilt the carbs and tuned the screws.. I checked the sparks, and they look fine so I am not sure why this happens...
What do you think? what would you do to it mechanically, knowing that it is a 23 yo bike and may need care in this or that aspect? I am a total newbie to Guzzies but you guys are obviously experts!
Also, what do you think of the look of it?
I will be sure to spend some quality time reading through old posts re: Nevadas but your input is much appreciated!
cheers
Jorge
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Nice bike :thumb:
Dusty
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Nice, I don't think that model is available in Nth America.
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WOW, that is very nice! Congrats.
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Agreed, that looks great! A well done custom is always cool!
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Nice, are the throttle cables hung up or not adjusted right?
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Welcome Jorge, as foto sez, check the throttle cables for sticking or too short. Another possibility is a vacuum leak, spray some carb cleaner around the intakes while idling and see what happens. Congrats on a very nice bike!
Paul B :boozing:
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Hi Jorge, welcome to the board, good to see more Europeans here! :grin:
The bike looks beautiful, hope you can get the fork and idle fixed.
I didn't even know there was a 350 Nevada!
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The high idle may be caused by the ignition advance unit(assuming it has one),which needs periodic cleaning and lubrication.
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NICE! First one like that I've seen.
Take fotoguzzi's advice and check out the cables. Maybe they got kinked at some time and not sliding like they should.
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That looks great, Jorge!
Welcome to the Guzzi addiction.
You'll have another before you know it.
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Nice bike Jorge, looks like a great ride for cruising the dirt roads!
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The advance unit on the small block :thumb: needs to be cleaned and lubricated once a year. That is my best guess. Very nicely done bike..
Edit:
All this is *assuming* it isn't electronic ignition. I missed the 96 in the equation.
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That's a great looking Nevada.
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Very nice and well thought out machine. Welcome.
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Thanks for the amazing feedback from everybody!
I will check the cables for necessary adjustment... the throttle cable seems too long in reality. I also purchased new Iridium spark plugs so lets see.
I will sure be posting here soon!
have a good day,
best
J
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So does it or does in not have an advance plate on the front of the cam?
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The advance unit on the small block :thumb: needs to be cleaned and lubricated once a year. That is my best guess. Very nicely done bike..
Edit:
All this is *assuming* it isn't electronic ignition. I missed the 96 in the equation.
+1 on the advancer idea. Not sure what ignition system is used in 1996. Idle should be 1800 I think.
You should also consider to join the "small_block_guzzi" forum on Yahoo Groups. Good information resides there.
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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I won't stake my life on it, but I think points and such were history on all Guzzi by 96.
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I won't stake my life on it, but I think points and such were history on all Guzzi by 96.
Yeah, you would think so, but it has carbs. Needless to say, I have never seen a V35..
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Nice looking bike Jorge. I must say it is a lot better looking than the standard Nevada. :thumb:
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My 1991 V40 has electronic sparks, so I'm sure that by 1996 the Nevada must have the same..... or not - it is a guzzi after all. If the factory had a box of points left over they still could have put them on :grin:
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Yeah, you would think so, but it has carbs. Needless to say, I have never seen a V35..
Just looking through photos of 350 Guzzis Chuck and I am wondering if it is actually a V35 Imola that someone has put Nevada forks on. Tank looks definitely like an Imola.
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It's definitely a Nevada guys.. it says that in the Property ownership documents that were transferred to me.
And yes, it has electronic ignition, "Magneti Marelli Digiplex". It cranks beautifully every time.
The manual says the idle screw should be a 1 + 1/2 turns, It wasn't when I checked a couple of hours ago and now that I set it at that, it is actually a little better but after riding for 1 hour, it still sits at 2000 rpm... she's a high revving machine eheh.
Will be back with more updated.
thanks guys!
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It's definitely a Nevada guys.. it says that in the Property ownership documents that were transferred to me.
And yes, it has electronic ignition, "Magneti Marelli Digiplex". It cranks beautifully every time.
The manual says the idle screw should be a 1 + 1/2 turns, It wasn't when I checked a couple of hours ago and now that I set it at that, it is actually a little better but after riding for 1 hour, it still sits at 2000 rpm... she's a high revving machine eheh.
Will be back with more updated.
thanks guys!
Not to be a jerk, but are you sure you are not confusing the idle mixture adjustment with the idle speed screw?
Idle mixture adjustment, in most cases has a starting set 1 1/2 turns out from a gentle turned in position.
The mixture screw should be the recessed one, the idle screw is the other one.
I'm guessing it's a dellorto carb.?
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Not to be a jerk, but are you sure you are not confusing the idle mixture adjustment with the idle speed screw?
Idle mixture adjustment, in most cases has a starting set 1 1/2 turns out from a gentle turned in position.
The mixture screw should be the recessed one, the idle screw is the other one.
I'm guessing it's a dellorto carb.?
Thanks for pointing this out... yes it's a Dellorto PHBH28 DB/BS, but I am aware of the 2 screws and have only applied 1 1/2 turns to the idle speed screw...
Now, whats the ideal setting for the idle mixture screw? in terms of turns? should I experiment?
thanks!
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Thanks for pointing this out... yes it's a Dellorto PHBH28 DB/BS, but I am aware of the 2 screws and have only applied 1 1/2 turns to the idle speed screw...
Now, whats the ideal setting for the idle mixture screw? in terms of turns? should I experiment?
thanks!
I should read this: http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzitech.dk/gb_en_technical_carburetor-dellorto-manual.htm#a_guide_to_the_choice-_setting_and_use_of_tapered_needle_motorcycle_carburettors
point 3.4 explains in detail...
:thumb:
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The 1 1/2 turns out is in reference to the mixture screw. That can be tweaked depending on altitude, fuel type, etc.
The idle speed screw should be adjusted to the idle speed. Usually about 800 or so RPMs.
Once your idle is where you want it, then you can tweak the mixture screw to obtain the highest idle speed.
You then may, or may not need to adjust the idle speed screw again to get your desired rpms.
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If you can, try to get a copy of Guzziology. An older version is fine.
Not sure of shipping cost to Portugal, but maybe someone here has a copy?
To me, it's easier to adjust a carb. than to explain it. I'm sure once you do it, it will be for you too. :grin:
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If you can, try to get a copy of Guzziology. An older version is fine.
Not sure of shipping cost to Portugal, but maybe someone here has a copy?
To me, it's easier to adjust a carb. than to explain it. I'm sure once you do it, it will be for you too. :grin:
Thanks for the couple of posts! I will try as you say.
As for Guzziology, I have a mate of a mate that has a copy, I will ask him to lend it to me!
:thumb:
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Thanks for the couple of posts! I will try as you say.
As for Guzziology, I have a mate of a mate that has a copy, I will ask him to lend it to me!
:thumb:
Great. So much info, and interesting reading on all things Guzzi.
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Here's another picture from the back...
(https://portcorner.com/media/journal/guzzi_6.jpg)
the plate was added with photoshop as I dont know where to put it having changed the tail light to underneath the fender...
I know I can put it on the side of the wheel but I rather keep it more classic and less chopper... lol :thumb:
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Looks good, wonder if you could work in a mudflap of some kind? Especially considering the type of riding that bike is meant for.
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Looks good, wonder if you could work in a mudflap of some kind? Especially considering the type of riding that bike is meant for.
Sure, its on my mind... something like this (thought twice before uploading this image :boozing:) :
(https://portcorner.com/media/journal/triumph.jpg)
but i really like the current mud guard with the luggage rack and not sure how it will look if I go this route...
I may experiment with a few different ones, different finishes and lengths in my mechanic..
thanks!
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A quasi modern smallblock Guzzi that predates the fuel injection/ECU era is something rarely, if ever, seen in the US. Very nicely preserved and modded bike! Dual front discs and (with, I assume, F-05 calipers) is a lot of braking power for a 350. I don't think the linked braking system was still available on the bikes produced at the era of this one. A pity, but marketing rules. Yours is a unique and well modified smallblock - enjoy!
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Yeah, ain't that bike sweet? I don't think linked would be preferred on a bike like that, JMO.
No FI, and a simple DigiPlex ignition. I would add fork gaiters to keep the stones from doing damage.
I like the long flat seat, let's you move around a bit when sliding the rear on dirt trails :grin:
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A sweet looking bike, you've done well.
I think you'll find that the idle should be between 1000 - 1200 rpm. You will likely have to hook up a set of vacuum gauges or a manometer to balance/synchonise the carburettors. There is a half decent description of the procedure in the workshop manual for the V35...V65 (download from Thisoldtractor).
For the front suspension, you can play around with oil weights & the air gap (& perhaps later, the preload). First try fresh 10 weight oil & and air gap of, say, 150mm. Then go on from there.
Number plate flaps (with the light) seem to be available cheaply from dirt bike shops. You will likely have to fabricate a bracket to hold it. It's possible that you'll go through a few versions until you work out a system that doesn't vibrate off, but still looks decent. I've found springy plate (alloy or steel) and bits of heavy foam tubing useful here. Think laterally & use what you can find easily.
Enjoy the adventure. There's a lot of fun here.
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A quasi modern smallblock Guzzi that predates the fuel injection/ECU era is something rarely, if ever, seen in the US. Very nicely preserved and modded bike! Dual front discs and (with, I assume, F-05 calipers) is a lot of braking power for a 350. I don't think the linked braking system was still available on the bikes produced at the era of this one. A pity, but marketing rules. Yours is a unique and well modified smallblock - enjoy!
Thanks so much for the feedback! the front calipers are from Grimeca, design very similar to Brembo F-5's... braking is indeed very strong but with current very soft forks I need to be careful... no ABS... rear single disk has a Brembo caliper and isn't as impressive.
:thumb:
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Yeah, ain't that bike sweet? I don't think linked would be preferred on a bike like that, JMO.
No FI, and a simple DigiPlex ignition. I would add fork gaiters to keep the stones from doing damage.
I like the long flat seat, let's you move around a bit when sliding the rear on dirt trails :grin:
thanks for the feedback!
fork gaiters are in the list of things to do to the bike :thumb:
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A sweet looking bike, you've done well.
I think you'll find that the idle should be between 1000 - 1200 rpm. You will likely have to hook up a set of vacuum gauges or a manometer to balance/synchonise the carburettors. There is a half decent description of the procedure in the workshop manual for the V35...V65 (download from Thisoldtractor).
For the front suspension, you can play around with oil weights & the air gap (& perhaps later, the preload). First try fresh 10 weight oil & and air gap of, say, 150mm. Then go on from there.
Number plate flaps (with the light) seem to be available cheaply from dirt bike shops. You will likely have to fabricate a bracket to hold it. It's possible that you'll go through a few versions until you work out a system that doesn't vibrate off, but still looks decent. I've found springy plate (alloy or steel) and bits of heavy foam tubing useful here. Think laterally & use what you can find easily.
Enjoy the adventure. There's a lot of fun here.
Thanks a lot for the feedback! I will follow your advice with my local mechanic and will post updates here soon!
:thumb: