Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: gsg9 on October 03, 2018, 11:14:09 AM
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Comrades,
Need your advice as my dream nearly came true but afraid of getting into trouble.
Have been a huge fan of Griso since I saw and tested it first time back in 2013. However never had a chance to change the bike until now.
But the deal I'm about to explain is quite unusual.
It's a !brand new 2012 Griso (black devil color scheme) 1200 8v with 0 milage on odo.
It spent last 6 years indoor in a warehouse, never been started, dry engine and tank. Stored for 6.5 years as when delivered from Guzzi's factory.
Covered by dust. However most of rubber parts on the outside look fine, no rust.
Stored under constant temperature between 25-35 Celsius. Average humidity in warehoues ~75-85%
Bike sold as is, no warranty.
Question: Will it be really stupid to think that I can just buy, change tyres, flush brake fluids & oil and enjoy the bike? Or most of the seals inside engine & gearbox, clutch are dead and likely to result even in piston rings to be fully dry and effectively making this machine more of a project/restore bike rather than a reliable commute after such a long storage?
I love this bike and desperately want to save it, but realistically I don't have an opportunity and enough resources at the moment rebuilding the bike if that's the case.
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It should be fine w/o worry cept the tires. I would also pull a rocker cover and look at the tappets, most of the silver/black Devils had roller tappets. There is still a chance it has flatties.
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I wouldn't even really worry about the tires. I've seen much older ones on the road, and they've not seen sunlight, etc.
I would worry about whether it's a roller engine, though. If it is, go for it. You'll be glad you did. :smiley:
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I wouldn't even really worry about the tires. I've seen much older ones on the road, and they've not seen sunlight, etc.
I would worry about whether it's a roller engine, though. If it is, go for it. You'll be glad you did. :smiley:
I agree with the tire comment. Unless you're really going to push, as in a track day, I'd ride it on the tires it has. Of course I burn up a set at least every year anyway.
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Replace the tyres, they're old and past it.
You're thinking of buying the bike of your dreams; don't throw it down the road for the sake of a couple of hundred of whatever your local currency is.
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Thank you guys for the feedback :thumb:. I think getting a pair of new tyres is not a problem at all. Definitely gonna get a set.
But I'm more paranoid about the probability of internal engine & gearbox seals/rings and other rubber parts that may have hardened that may cause first engine start to a catastrophic failure.
Looks like I'm definitely overthinking it and thanks again for the feedback.
If anybody has some more experience to share about starting the bikes after such a prolong storage, would be highly appreciated. Please note that bike was stored fully dry without engine oil as the bike gets exported from Guzzi factory for international shipping.
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I'd be surprised if the factory ship it that dry, they must run it at the factory.
Is there a dealer on here who can confirm that, Guzzisteve?
Don't forget to document it's revival with pictures for our viewing pleasure.
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do yourself a favor and go to Search in the upper right hand corner and search for "rollers" - then you will know what or what not you are getting into.....
Mark
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do yourself a favor and go to Search in the upper right hand corner and search for "rollers" - then you will know what or what not you are getting into.....
Mark
This was the first thing I've done before even having a look at Griso :grin: It's a post Jun 2012 Black Devil model with roller type
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I'd be surprised if the factory ship it that dry, they must run it at the factory.
Is there a dealer on here who can confirm that, Guzzisteve?
Don't forget to document it's revival with pictures for our viewing pleasure.
They all have a mile or so on them, 10mi after set-up to owner. Do not take it for granted that the TPS is set right or TB's are balanced, the tappets are most likely too big of gap and the throttle will be real loose. Wipe off rotors w/brake cleaner, check fluids & filter.
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Make certain it's a roller bike. Give it a service/tune. Grease the swingarm bearings and shock linkage. Stick fuel and a battery in it and ride.
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If you're the first owner the warranty should still be valid.
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I might be mistaken but isn't that warranty transferable?
Dean
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If it was mine, I would be tempted to pull the plugs and put in a little oil, then rotate the engine just to get a little lubricant to the rings and cylinders. Other than lots of fresh gas and oil, I wouldn't worry too much about the other stuff after just going over it testing brake and clutch hydraulic pressure and tires properly aired up. Once started, I would want to ride it like a new break in to make sure the rings seat well.
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Replace the tyres, they're old and past it.
You're thinking of buying the bike of your dreams; don't throw it down the road for the sake of a couple of hundred of whatever your local currency is.
And keep the originals for the nostalgia when you sell it or park it.
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Two words:”Fogging oil”.
I’ve used it in cylinders of long parked motos.
A thought - any reason not to use it in crankcase prior to first rotation? .....and maybe under valve covers?
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Make certain it's a roller bike. Give it a service/tune. Grease the swingarm bearings and shock linkage. Stick fuel and a battery in it and ride.
Right, thank you Pete. I will definitely spare extra 15mins and open covers to verify that.
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I assume this is some kind of incredible deal, price wise?
I mean, it isn't like 3,000 or 6,000 or 8,000 miles does a lot of damage to a Griso (well, except the flat tappet ones) ... so if your options were to buy a nice used bike with say 6,000 miles on it or this forgotten one I think I'd go with the one with some miles on it.
Also, if you got this one, once you put on 2000-3000 miles then you just have a used 6 year old bike.
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I don't understand no warentee. If it's never been registered should it not come with the factory standard coverage?
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Not every damn thing boils down to common sense with bikes.
I reckon it's a special sort of find actually, a bit of a voyage of discovery and rather exciting.
A bit of due diligence and check tappets grease etc and you've got yourself a new bike.
Go for it...
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Not every damn thing boils down to common sense with bikes.
I reckon it's a special sort of find actually, a bit of a voyage of discovery and tather exciting.
A bit od due diligence and check tappets grease etc and you've got yourself a new bike.
Go for it...
Very well said :)
Thanks everyone for your valuable feedback. deeply appreciated :thumb: Figuring finance stuff. Will update the thread if everything works out.
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Very well said :)
Thanks everyone for your valuable feedback. deeply appreciated :thumb: Figuring finance stuff. Will update the thread if everything works out.
Your bike already has assumed a special identity due solely to the way you were introduced.
Save her from oblivion and when you are listening to the sound of contracting Italian metal while sampling a nice Red with a Pizza on a warm post ride evening.....???
You'll know why you did..
Believe it or not, that bike is already "yours".. (You just don't know it yet...)
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Once the roller issue is confirmed, I think this is an easy answer. The comments about sorting through things carefully (tune, lube, roll over) are all prudent and common sense. Hell, the process of carefully reviving the patient will be a blast in and of itself! Absolutely heed Pete Roper and GuzziSteve's advice. If you haven't owned a CARC bike, they are fairly simple and easy to service (I made a spanner to remove the castle nut and would be happy to mail it to you). Grisos are fairly open and easy to dig into, so have at it. No one mentioned the battery. You might want to give it a load test to see if it can hold a charge.
Another issue not to be overlooked is the story of finding this bike dusty with 0 miles. Life only gives you so many of these stories. Be that guy.
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"Another issue not to be overlooked is the story of finding this bike dusty with 0 miles. Life only gives you so many of these stories. Be that guy."
Great point! :thumb:
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is it home yet? :thumb: :smiley:
have you not been sleeping, thinking about it? I can see you'll always regret it if you have to pass on it so I'm hoping it works out!
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No one mentioned the battery.
Roper did..!
He has his foibles to be sure, but I wouldn't refer to him as a "no one" whilst in polite company.
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gsg9,
You should put a city under your Avatar, there may be a wildguzzi member nearby to ask, bounce ideas off.
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A Black Devil here for sale
http://www.mnguzzi.com/newsletters/MN-MGNOC_October-18.pdf
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Once the roller issue is confirmed, I think this is an easy answer. The comments about sorting through things carefully (tune, lube, roll over) are all prudent and common sense. Hell, the process of carefully reviving the patient will be a blast in and of itself! Absolutely heed Pete Roper and GuzziSteve's advice. If you haven't owned a CARC bike, they are fairly simple and easy to service (I made a spanner to remove the castle nut and would be happy to mail it to you). Grisos are fairly open and easy to dig into, so have at it. No one mentioned the battery. You might want to give it a load test to see if it can hold a charge.
Another issue not to be overlooked is the story of finding this bike dusty with 0 miles. Life only gives you so many of these stories. Be that guy.
Yes all true.
I once purchased a 1200 Sport in the same condition..... I remember Dave at M/I telling me he ran into a few of such Guzzis through the years that were forgotten souls at Cycle shops around the country, then discovered once the owner moved on and sold or closed the business.
Another great story for sure...… don't ya just love these things :thumb:
Ciao
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gsg9,
You should put a city under your Avatar, there may be a wildguzzi member nearby to ask, bounce ideas off.
"GSG9" .... Germany?