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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jim C on July 19, 2017, 07:03:14 PM

Title: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Jim C on July 19, 2017, 07:03:14 PM
Anyone want to buy an almost brand new V7 II?

I probably screwed  up the head re-torque, since I got tired and I
have NO idea which bolts I unscrewed after the top one. I tightened
one nut (wrench worked fine), and now I can't get the wrench to work.
I  probably over-tightened one of the nuts (lower right, I think) because
the wrench did not click. I'm afraid I might have over-tightened one or
two nuts.

Anyway, I knew I was in over my head. As it stands right now, all the
bolts/nuts are currently loose on the left side.

Jim
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: guzzisteve on July 19, 2017, 07:13:06 PM
Don't sweat it, stuff is strong. Start all over and see what happens. Besides it can be fixed.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: oldbike54 on July 19, 2017, 07:15:22 PM
 Take a couple of deep breaths Jim , you haven't destroyed your motorcycle . Loosen the tight bolts and start all over again , sounds like either your torque wrench is wonky , or you are simply freaked out . It will be OK , trust us  :cheesy:

 Dusty
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: rodekyll on July 19, 2017, 07:35:44 PM
As long as you caught it and stopped before starting and running the engine you should be fine.  Those head studs can take a lot of torque.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on July 19, 2017, 08:57:59 PM
Tighten them gradually, just take up the slack first go round then set your wrench to about half the final setting and go round again.
Normally the heads are tightened in a pattern swapping from side to side.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: sign216 on July 19, 2017, 09:21:30 PM
I wrote a tutorial for the older V7, there should be a few tips for you.  Double click on the photos for the text.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157627672086548 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157627672086548)
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Tom H on July 19, 2017, 09:32:30 PM
Take a couple of deep breaths Jim , you haven't destroyed your motorcycle . Loosen the tight bolts and start all over again , sounds like either your torque wrench is wonky , or you are simply freaked out . It will be OK , trust us  :cheesy:

 Dusty

All have great thoughts, but this quote above seems best.

If your torque wrench seems to have had an issue. Try your local auto parts store. Many rent tools like this. Then when ready, you can check yours, or buy a new one.

Good luck!!!!
Tom
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: fotoguzzi on July 19, 2017, 09:44:46 PM
Why did you do this to an" almost brand new V7 II?"
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: tris on July 19, 2017, 09:51:17 PM
A couple of thoughts in no particular order to the sage words above
Check that the torque wrench is set correctly on the correct units
Grip the drive from the torque wrench in a vice and pull it steadily until it clicks. This will give you a feel/listen what you've looking for.
Print Sign216s' picture of the studs off and write the cross cross tightening sequence on it. I tend to tighten one stud and leave the wrench in place while I look at the picture and point at the next stud to tighten before moving the wrench
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: pete roper on July 19, 2017, 10:17:38 PM
Why did you do this to an" almost brand new V7 II?"

Beacause re-torqueing the heads is part of the first service regime, failing to do so will lead to leaks.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: fotoguzzi on July 19, 2017, 10:24:54 PM
Beacause re-torqueing the heads is part of the first service regime, failing to do so will lead to leaks.
OH,
note to self, you don't really want a Small Block..
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: pete roper on July 19, 2017, 10:45:44 PM
In theory the big blocks were the same when they used kingerlite gaskets. It was only when they went to the steel laminate gaskets that a re-torque became redundant.

For whatever reason since the mid eighties the big blocks haven't seemed to need it ex-factory. Perhaps they were over tightened? I dunno. But the smallblocks will tend to leak if the head nuts aren't given a tweak. Usually once is enough but my 'Racer' needed another touch-up recently as the gaskets had compressed further.

Pete
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: bigbikerrick on July 20, 2017, 12:06:30 AM
I wrote a tutorial for the older V7, there should be a few tips for you.  Double click on the photos for the text.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157627672086548 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157627672086548)

Nice looking assistant you got there Sign 216!  :grin:
Rick.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Kev m on July 20, 2017, 01:26:10 AM
OH,
note to self, you don't really want a Small Block..
Well if you change your mind it seems that the V9 and V7III hemi heads don't require a retorque.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: n3303j on July 20, 2017, 08:41:07 AM
<SNIP>
Anyway, I knew I was in over my head. As it stands right now, all the
bolts/nuts are currently loose on the left side.
Jim
From my FWIW Department:

When doing a head re-torque NEVER loosed all the bolts! Doing so will allow parts to shift out of original location. It will upset established seals and parts relationships.

Using the specified tightening pattern, loosen the first fastener about 1/8  turn. Then using a properly calibrated torque wrench bring that fastener smoothly and slowly back to the specified torque.

Repeat this procedure for each fastener in the specified torque sequence.

You will preserve the original relationship between parts. You will produce the desired results.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: rocker59 on July 20, 2017, 09:09:03 AM
I use a torque wrench so infrequently, that I don't use the clicker type.

The one time I did, I stripped a bolt.

Much prefer the old timey beam type torque wrench.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: oldbike54 on July 20, 2017, 10:16:00 AM
I use a torque wrench so infrequently, that I don't use the clicker type.

The one time I did, I stripped a bolt.

Much prefer the old timey beam type torque wrench.

  :1: Unless you are willing to spend the money for a Snap On or similar high end torque wrench , a beam type is much more reliable .

 Dusty
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: sign216 on July 20, 2017, 06:55:11 PM
Nice looking assistant you got there Sign 216!  :grin:
Rick.

I say she's worth the price.

Unlike my exwife....
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on July 20, 2017, 08:24:59 PM
 Your toreue wrench is not wonkey, you are wonkey.  If you are using a click type set the click below the required torque.  Tighten in the proper pattern.  When done reset the torque wrench to the required setting and torque again in the proper pattern.  When done, retorque again in the required pattern.  Now go ride.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on July 20, 2017, 09:33:15 PM
  :1: Unless you are willing to spend the money for a Snap On or similar high end torque wrench , a beam type is much more reliable .

 Dusty

Don't agree. My 10 year old Craftsman clicker consistently checks out within 3% of setting when I have it checked/calibrated each year. <shrug>
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: oldbike54 on July 20, 2017, 10:07:33 PM
Don't agree. My 10 year old Craftsman clicker consistently checks out within 3% of setting when I have it checked/calibrated each year. <shrug>

 No argument from me , the older Craftsman tools were fine . But more and more really cheap clickers are showing up and aren't very reliable .

 Dusty
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Triple Jim on July 20, 2017, 11:08:50 PM
Much prefer the old timey beam type torque wrench.

I've been wondering why everyone seems to have the click type.  All I've ever owned is the beam type, so it's hard to compare, but there's just about no way it can go out of calibration.  If you somehow bend it out of calibration, the pointer won't read zero with no torque, so you'll know it.  You just have to understand the pivoting handle if you want to be really accurate.  Also, it's accurate throughout its range, none of this stuff about not using it at the low end, etc..

The only drawback I know of is that you have to be able to see the scale while you're torquing.  There was a time or two I had to place a mirror so I could see it, in some odd location.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: guzzisteve on July 21, 2017, 07:57:40 AM
I wonder what happened? Did the OP just tarp it and walk away, or did he get some help?
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: mtiberio on July 21, 2017, 10:21:58 AM
get a torque wrench that deflects, not one that clicks.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Kev m on July 21, 2017, 10:46:28 AM
I don't even own a beam type torque wrench.

Been using nothing but click-types since the 90s.

Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Don G on July 21, 2017, 11:38:37 AM
Yeah try torqueing the head bolts on your 460 Ford with a beam type.  DonG
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: n3303j on July 21, 2017, 11:42:28 AM
...or winding up 170 ft/lb on a flywheel while watching the needle. At least that click is very positive.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Bill Hagan on July 21, 2017, 01:09:28 PM
I wonder what happened? Did the OP just tarp it and walk away, or did he get some help?

He was here over l(EST) lunch hour, Steve.

As for the sub-thread on torque wrenches, beams are fine, IMO, for every Guzzi application I've encountered.  OTOH, I do avoid difficult encounters.   :wink:

Bill

Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: guzzisteve on July 21, 2017, 01:54:41 PM
He was here over l(EST) lunch hour, Steve.

As for the sub-thread on torque wrenches, beams are fine, IMO, for every Guzzi application I've encountered.  OTOH, I do avoid difficult encounters.   :wink:

Bill


What? He's from ATL area?
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: Bill Hagan on July 21, 2017, 02:30:18 PM
What? He's from ATL area?

By "here," I meant this forum, Steve.

Think OP's from Idaho.  Pretty much same as Atlanta.   :rolleyes: :wink:

Bill
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: rodekyll on July 21, 2017, 02:41:04 PM
I use a beam type to see where I am (like an existing preload) and a click type to see where I want to be (like head torque).  My go-to is the clicker.  Like a talking clock, it gives positive feedback in any orientation, day or night, whether you can see it or not.  The beam type is more like a sundial.  Only works when the light is right and you can see it, and its value changes depending on the line of your eye to the scale.
Title: Re: Probably screwed up my bike
Post by: ridingron on July 21, 2017, 07:27:13 PM
Quote
    Think OP's from Idaho.  Pretty much same as Atlanta.   

Doubt the folks in Idaho would agree with much of that.  :grin: