Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Hymes Inc. on August 30, 2017, 11:50:12 PM
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Sitting on the side of the road waiting for dad. Bike started cutting out as I waited for a train. Seemed the right cylinder was cutting in and out. Tried to get home. 5 miles down the road noticed the right side front half the the muffler was glowing red. Will post pic when available. Bike had gotten to the point where it wouldn't go 50mph. Any thoughts? 2013 V7 special
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Plug caps.
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The cap clips onto the plug and is hard to pull off but it's very wiggly on the plug. This normal?
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Well I'm home. Took the cap off the plug, screwed it in 2 times, never felt like it was tightening, and it fixed it long enough to get home. Started running bad again 1/2 mile from my house. So now I snip the ends of the wires off a bit and get new plug caps right?
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The stock spark plug caps are rubbish. Replace them ASAP.
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Yes, I'll get you the cap and plug numbers tomorrow if someone else doesn't chime in first.
Pete
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The stock spark plug caps are rubbish. Replace them ASAP.
What's wrong with the factory spark plug boots?
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They're shite.
Also before you decide to go poking about with your Stelvio do a bit of research on removing the plug caps on it because butchering them is easy and it will elicit no sympathy if you bugger it up. The info is available to anyone with a computer and Internet access.
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What's wrong with the factory spark plug boots?
People have only been making spark plug connectors since about 1910 when hot-tubes went out of favor. You need more than 107 years for Guzzi to get something like that straight, apparently.
All the pre NTX Stelvios had crap spark plug caps, too. And the strange thing was, they looked and felt like heavy-duty, premium items. Nice molded rubber connectors that fit the head nicely, you'd THINK they were way nicer than a plastic NGK - but none of them went more than 30,000 miles.
After everyone else's failed, I bought the recommended NGK replacements (have to buy four sets and mix and match to make two that will fit) and just carried them on the bike. The first one failed at 22,000 at the National Rally in New Hampshire, and the second one failed on the road at 30,000.
And the failure wasn't due to ham-handed mechanicking, either. I was aware of their fragility and was careful about handling them during removal (for valve lash checks). Just one of those "character" things ....
Lannis
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If they aren't abused the 1200 caps are fine. Not defending the design as it makes servicing sucky unless you know the drill or have the stupidly expensive boot removal tool. They don't fail without help though.
Pete
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If they aren't abused the 1200 caps are fine. Not defending the design as it makes servicing sucky unless you know the drill or have the stupidly expensive boot removal tool. They don't fail without help though.
Pete
Good info, thanks.
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My recent breakdown two hours from home was my admission into the failed spark plug cap club. The NGKs everyone refers to are solid! I picked up part number LD05F 8060. 5K ohm, 12mm. This was at 18,600 miles.
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This guy is (was) on a 13 V7 not Stelvio. They must come from China like the rest of the junk on them. The wires & caps have always been junk since the newer smallblock got popular in 09.
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They're shite.
Also before you decide to go poking about with your Stelvio do a bit of research on removing the plug caps on it because butchering them is easy and it will elicit no sympathy if you bugger it up. The info is available to anyone with a computer and Internet access.
I've never seen someone harp on another rider so bad just because they started a thread about not being able to read the tiny manual print. I've seen you treat others the same as well. Are you always so curmudgeonly and discouraging to new Guzzi owners?
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If they aren't abused the 1200 caps are fine. Not defending the design as it makes servicing sucky unless you know the drill or have the stupidly expensive boot removal tool. They don't fail without help though.
Pete
Depends on your definition of "fine" I suppose. I've never met another 09 - 11 Stelvio owner who didn't have to replace their spark plug caps. I'm the only one I know who went as many miles as I did. And many of us are perfectly capable of not snatching the plug caps out with pliers and a crowbar, and they STILL failed ....
Lannis
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I've never seen someone harp on another rider so bad just because they started a thread about not being able to read the tiny manual print. I've seen you treat others the same as well. Are you always so curmudgeonly and discouraging to new Guzzi owners?
Many of the old timers here are famously grouchy, especially with any topic that's been talked about even once in the past several years on the forum. I wish the landing page had a "Be nice or leave" sign. Then, there'd be maybe half a dozen of us left, so :evil:
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Many of the old timers here are famously grouchy, especially with any topic that's been talked about even once in the past several years on the forum. I wish the landing page had a "Be nice or leave" sign. Then, there'd be maybe half a dozen of us left, so :evil:
I'm fine with the grouchy. I'm young and famously grouchy in real life. If I didn't know better though, based on posting history, I'd think Mr Roper wouldn't want anyone to buy a Guzzi.
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Let me clear this up a bit . Pete isn't all that grouchy , it is more , well , something else , most of it is just him poking . He always comes back with the correct answer , so please , let's not start a fight here . Pete actually knows about half of us , and probably always assumes he is among folks who he has met , or will meet . Trust me , in real life he is merely a regular Richard Cranium , nothing outstanding , right Pete ? :grin:
Dusty
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Oh heck, you ain't seen grouchy.
Grouchy left a few years ago, now, that was some industrial strength grouchy.
:grin:
kjf
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The English have a tendency to sound dictatorial and intolerant when they'd like to seem authoritative. It doesn't generally function as intended when applied to an American audience and sometimes even to themselves, but instead comes across as mildly humorous. Monty Python made a career out of it. Either way I'm sure no harm is intended.
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The English have a tendency to sound dictatorial and intolerant when they'd like to seem authoritative. It doesn't generally function as intended when applied to an American audience and sometimes even to themselves, but instead comes across as mildly humorous. Monty Python made a career out of it. Either way I'm sure no harm is intended.
I'm sure that's true, especially the cross-cultural part, and there's no reason for anyone to take offense when that happens.
On the other hand, a universal truth is ... If you're going to dish it out, you've also got to be able to take it ....
Lannis
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The direct replacement NGK caps (for the Stelvio, not sure if this also applies to the V7) are #SD05E. If you can find them. For some reason, they tend not to be stocked by U.S. distributors. As an alternative, NGK #SB05E caps fit, except that the opening in the sealing boots are too big. That can be addressed by swapping over the boots from a pair of #SD05F caps. Its a bit of a bother, but really not all that difficult, and appears to permanently fix the issue.
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I picked these numbers from a past thread, someone tell me if I'm correct. XD05F cap C8E plugs
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The English have a tendency to sound dictatorial and intolerant when they'd like to seem authoritative. It doesn't generally function as intended when applied to an American audience and sometimes even to themselves, but instead comes across as mildly humorous. Monty Python made a career out of it. Either way I'm sure no harm is intended.
And he's our curmudgeon! Truth is Pete is a good guy that is very knowledgeable and also entertaining. He will also go to the extremes to help folks out, like he has loaned and shipped special tools around the globe to help someone rebuilding a Stelvio gearbox or walk someone in South Africa through some such work on a Breva they could get any local help with. He has also published numerous photo tutorials on how to properly maintain a Guzzi. So in reality he is quite the ambassador for the brand, helping folks own and enjoy them. He also is quite famous for telling it like he sees it, in his colorful vernacular.
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The direct replacement NGK caps (for the Stelvio, not sure if this also applies to the V7) are #SD05E. If you can find them. For some reason, they tend not to be stocked by U.S. distributors. As an alternative, NGK #SB05E caps fit, except that the opening in the sealing boots are too big. That can be addressed by swapping over the boots from a pair of #SD05F caps. Its a bit of a bother, but really not all that difficult, and appears to permanently fix the issue.
Yes. I mentioned above that you have to buy four to get two, but couldn't remember the part numbers. Those are them! And I don't know about permanent, but it's been good for two years/20000 miles and no more trouble ....
Lannis
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And he's our curmudgeon! Truth is Pete is a good guy that is very knowledgeable and also entertaining. He will also go to the extremes to help folks out, like he has loaned and shipped special tools around the globe to help someone rebuilding a Stelvio gearbox or walk someone in South Africa through some such work on a Breva they could get any local help with. He has also published numerous photo tutorials on how to properly maintain a Guzzi. So in reality he is quite the ambassador for the brand, helping folks own and enjoy them. He also is quite famous for telling it like he sees it, in his colorful vernacular.
I understand and support Pete. What I think he was trying to say (perhaps indelicately) is that there are idiosyncracies to a Guzzi and it is incumbent on the owner to ask/research/learn before mucking about. I once had a chap contact me and ask me to come 100 miles to fetch his broken smallblock and bring it home for repairs. In hopes of fixing on site, I asked if it still had points or had it been converted to one of the aftermarket electronic ignitions. Pregnant pause. "I don't know." You're telling me that you just drove 99% of NYC to SFO and you don't even know what ignition is in your machine? I hope the coyotes have a fine dinner.
The other thing that bothers me no end is when new people jump in and present a variety of odd symptoms that challenge long distance diagnosis. Lots of constructive comments come up. The OP fixes the problem and rides on. Never reports back what the problem was. Never compliments the technician who first came up with the idea for resolution. Never shares his success with the community. Just take the answer and ride away. If you ask for help and someone gives it, please report the results and acknowledge those who participated.
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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And he's our curmudgeon! Truth is Pete is a good guy that is very knowledgeable and also entertaining. He will also go to the extremes to help folks out, like he has loaned and shipped special tools around the globe to help someone rebuilding a Stelvio gearbox or walk someone in South Africa through some such work on a Breva they could get any local help with. He has also published numerous photo tutorials on how to properly maintain a Guzzi. So in reality he is quite the ambassador for the brand, helping folks own and enjoy them. He also is quite famous for telling it like he sees it, in his colorful vernacular.
:1: Every group needs a curmudgeon. Carry on Pete.
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And my 2010 Stelvio is still soldiering on at 32000 miles with the stock plug caps. Oh boy, now I've done it. They won't last another week.
I keep meaning to order the new caps, but now I guess I better get them on the way
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The other thing that bothers me no end is when new people jump in and present a variety of odd symptoms that challenge long distance diagnosis. Lots of constructive comments come up. The OP fixes the problem and rides on. Never reports back what the problem was. Never compliments the technician who first came up with the idea for resolution. Never shares his success with the community. Just take the answer and ride away. If you ask for help and someone gives it, please report the results and acknowledge those who participated.
AND do as I did and drop a donation on the forum. Far cheaper than shop rates and lots more entertaining to get remote support from you folks.
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Pete was replying to Bonaventure, who he knows and has a Stelvio.. not the OP of this thread. He was simply telling him not to yank those Plug wires off.
He had already told the OP what his problem was with two words. <shrug>
His giving to the Guzzi community is legendary..
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AND do as I did and drop a donation on the forum. Far cheaper than shop rates and lots more entertaining to get remote support from you folks.
:1: :1:
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Very cool .... I will never make legendary status .... I'm still working on " almost weird enough ".
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There are only so many ways to say the same thing for the zillionth time. When you are as right as Pete is as often as Pete is and as willing to haul the crew along in your wake as many and often as Pete does, and you still care enough to answer the SAME question month after month after year as often as Pete does, you can give your advice any way you want to. Until you get there, be happy that Pete takes the time out of his busy day to bring you along. He could be off making money or pigmy porn.
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Very cool .... I will never make legendary status .... I'm still working on " almost weird enough ".
Wait , hold on just a moment , all of this time we thought you were our roll model for the weird part, now who do we look to :shocked:
Dusty
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Depends on your definition of "fine" I suppose. I've never met another 09 - 11 Stelvio owner who didn't have to replace their spark plug caps. I'm the only one I know who went as many miles as I did. And many of us are perfectly capable of not snatching the plug caps out with pliers and a crowbar, and they STILL failed ....
Lannin
So how do you take them out Lannis?
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So how do you take them out Lannis?
Lever them up from the bottom with a thin screwdriver (maybe even the same one as in the Roller Conversion video to control that spring), and guide the top out with two zip ties looped around one zip that clutches the middle ...
Learned that from an unimPEACHable source on WG! :thumb:
Lannis
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I'm fine with the grouchy. I'm young and famously grouchy in real life. If I didn't know better though, based on posting history, I'd think Mr Roper wouldn't want anyone to buy a Guzzi.
It's just blood and guts honesty with the piss weak gloss removed.
I'm not gunna piss in his pocket just 'cos I know he'll read it, but it's like cod liver oil or some other rancid medicine. You won't want to take it, but I guarantee it'll do you good. It's just rollicking good fun mate, I promise you. I do know......(Now).
This isn't an African Violet forum, we're not delicate flowers, come to an Aussie rally some time. Bloody Roper was once mistaken in low light for Mother Theresa's PA at one...!
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That' enough fellas , seriously :angry: Good grief , there are people dealing with REAL problems , put your egos away please . Thank you .
Dusty
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Sorry to start a Pete is grouchy thread. But I do appreciate the help he gives, got me home last night no trailer involved. :thumb: Something about putting your bike on a trailer or in a truck that I really don't like. Now back to the original task at hand. Are these the correct numbers? XD05F for the caps and C8E for the plugs
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They should do the job. There are several ways to skin this particular cat.
Over here NGK don't bring in some of their products so I've had to play mix and match a couple of times.
The most important thing is the caps fit under the plastic covers. This presents a bit of an issue here because of the type of plugs that are available, Perhaps other manufacturers will make plugs that solve the issue I'm about to describe but I have always been happy with NGK so I stick with them.
This issue is to do with the tips of the center electrode. Basically there are two types. The skinny, threaded type and the fatter, waisted type. Some plugs are ambi-typestrous in that they have the waisted type but it is removable by unscrewing but some are not.
Obviously this presents a 'Square peg-Round hole' type conundrum if you can't get a suitable cap for the plug or plug for the cap that you have. The type of cap, (Suitable for 'Fat' or 'Skinny' electrode is denoted by the E or F suffix at the end of the cap designation from memory.
Now if you can only get one type of cap and it has the wrong type of electrode connection you'll need to fit different plugs with the correct electrode for the cap. The important things are that the plug has the same reach, the same projection of the hot end of the center electrode and the same heat range. How many ground electrodes it has, whether it is a resistor or non resistor plug or whether it is made of some fancy material are all relatively unimportant. As long as they fit, have the right heat range and fit snugly in the caps that's all that matters.
Yes it's a bore that Piaggio supply such shitty caps, nothing new under the sun though, those of us who have been around a while will remember the awful Bosch caps used in the 1970's and '80's. They were unspeakably crappy! Any time the humidity got over about 2% they'd just short out! Thing is its just a typical case of spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar and it's driven by bean counters at the factory and constant whining from some customers who always want things cheaper! It's just the Walmart philosophy applied to motorbikes! I personally can't see how they turn a profit on a lot of their stuff but even so I'd prefer to spend a couple of hundred bucks more for the bike in the first place and have higher quality crap on them simply to save me having to fix it before I can ride! I'm strange like that though and have bought my bikes new and usually at recommended retail rather than waiting until they are deeply discounted a few years on and still whining about things.
Pete
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They're shite.
Also before you decide to go poking about with your Stelvio do a bit of research on removing the plug caps on it because butchering them is easy and it will elicit no sympathy if you bugger it up. The info is available to anyone with a computer and Internet access.
Straightforward advice given in a straightforward fashion.
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If I may offer a thought on one of the members in question here. As a newer guzzi here I have ask some what would appear to be real dumb questions in the past and yes at time got some responses that were less than sugar coated from a couple of old salts here. That being said being a thick skinned old retired cop their experienced answers and help was well worth the assertive responses and they always hung with me until they seen I understand the answer to my question. If it weren't for these old and some young guys here, I would not be brave enough to own one of these odd creatures known as Guzzis.
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Unless spark plug caps have a manufacturers name on them Like NGK, Magnecor, Denso and such. they are all junk.
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"I'm not gunna piss in his pocket...."
The very original story of this saying is probably lost to time, but it must be hilarious.
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"I'm not gunna piss in his pocket...."
The very original story of this saying is probably lost to time, but it must be hilarious.
I could guess, but so could a thousand others.
The meaning behind it is to pass a compliment, under the attempted disguise of a an off the hand chance comment.
It's supposed to sound like you paid the compliment without meaning to (therefore boosting it's effectiveness and engratiating yourself to the recipient)...All very complex in definition, but can be spotted from a Bull's Roar in Australia (There's another one) Also known as "crawling" or in it's full incarnation "crawling up someone's .... !Ummm, can't quite remember :evil: