prepping Norge for cross country ride

[blackbuell]

I bought my red 2007 Norge two years ago; had only 2,300 miles on the ODO; now has 24,500. Plan to ride from Cincinnati area to Pacific Northwest in late spring; now getting bike ready for trip. I have read that it is important to have the swingarm pivots lubed; have not had that done yet. Is it really that necessary? How involved is that job? (I'm not much of a mechanic.) If I were to have a shop do it (likely Cadre) how much is it likely to cost? I plan to change inner spark plugs, air filter, and tune it. I already have replaced the fuel filter. The alternator belt is original and looks fine, but I will bring along a spare plus tools necessary to replace it. Any other items that I should address?

Thanks in advance for feedback,

Jon

[Huzo]

I bought my red 2007 Norge two years ago; had only 2,300 miles on the ODO; now has 24,500. Plan to ride from Cincinnati area to Pacific Northwest in late spring; now getting bike ready for trip. I have read that it is important to have the swingarm pivots lubed; have not had that done yet. Is it really that necessary? How involved is that job? (I'm not much of a mechanic.) If I were to have a shop do it (likely Cadre) how much is it likely to cost? I plan to change inner spark plugs, air filter, and tune it. I already have replaced the fuel filter. The alternator belt is original and looks fine, but I will bring along a spare plus tools necessary to replace it. Any other items that I should address?

Thanks in advance for feedback,

Jon

I take my red ‘07 Norge out sometimes for short jaunts but try not to run the k’s up too much..
Some things I do are..
EVERY 20,000 k. 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000...etc
Oil change/filter, (engine, gearbox, bevel drive)
Change brake/clutch fluid/bleed
Remove clean grease levers.
Remove clean grease side and centrestand pivots.
New air filter
Remove and rough up brake pads
Inner/outer plugs
Remove front forks and renew fluid
Clean air box of oil residue
Check spoke tension
Clear service icon
Check swing arm pivot/spline for grease ( but if ok, do every 60,000)
Check alternator belt tension
Clean battery terminals
Check tappet clearance

That’ll do for starters.
But you should do the startus mod, check swing arm pivot torque, head stem bearings, fuel filter, every 3rd or so, service .

EVERY 10,000 k  10,000 20,000 30,000...etc
Engine, gearbox, bevel drive and anything else that’s crying out.

[Perazzimx14]

If you Google "CARC bearing replacment" or something like that there are several videos. Honestly if I go through the trouble of pulling the swing arm I just put new properly greased bearing back in. I just did them on and non-Guzzi Euro when I was checking the splines for wear. For the $21 a set of new bearings cost me it was not worth trying to clean up and salvage the stockers. Also if I'd have not had new bearings on hand the stock bearings would have been trash and I'd have had to wait for replacment to arrive to get the bike back together. Its a sick game the bearing Gods lay with us mortals. 

As for replacing you'd need some common hand tools and a blind bearing puller. A bearing driver is nice but a properly sized socket would do.

If you are not comfortable and want a shop to perform this work I'd expect at least a 1/2 day of labor + parts. A call to Cadre asking for an estimate would certainly give you a better idea of cost.

[Ryan]

Two thoughts. First, what does an alternator belt cost? If you feel the need to carry a spare and tools, just replace it now in the comfort of your garage, and not under an overpass during a rain storm with trucks whizzing by, blasting you with spray. So what if your current belt could last another year or two; why gamble. Two, replace your tires now while you have a selection of type, price, and shop to mount them. You are looking at a 4-5000 mile round trip, depending on how you get here and how much exploring you do. Keep your current tires to remount when you get home. I have family with a BMW shop, and they replace a ton of tires that "looked good for the trip."

[TN Mark]

Excellent recommendations from the posts above. I'll only add:

1. A credit card with a lot of room on it because, unexpected things do happen.

2. AAA RV Plus so if your bike needs it, having AAA RV Plus means they'll tow a motorcycle up to 200 miles.

3. Sunscreen and a second pair of glasses, (sun and/or prescription)

     Enjoy the trip and document it well for others to enjoy.

[Perazzimx14]

Two thoughts. First, what does an alternator belt cost? If you feel the need to carry a spare and tools, just replace it now in the comfort of your garage, and not under an overpass during a rain storm with trucks whizzing by, blasting you with spray. So what if your current belt could last another year or two; why gamble. Two, replace your tires now while you have a selection of type, price, and shop to mount them. You are looking at a 4-5000 mile round trip, depending on how you get here and how much exploring you do. Keep your current tires to remount when you get home. I have family with a BMW shop, and they replace a ton of tires that "looked good for the trip."

Holly crap t look like you have to disassemble 90% of the bike to get to the alternator belt. After watching this video I agree do it i the confines of the garage before you leave. The berm of the road is not big enough to hold all the removed parts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HlBF5RMIsY

Simplicity: Notice how the crescent wrench is oriented to use it to guide/push the belt over the pulley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzPTPN98x40

[jared p]

Pack less clothes than you think you need. Cuz you'll need less. Did a 3 week trip around the country a few years ago and didnt even wear half what I packed. What plans do you have for riding up here in the PNW? Definitely can give many inputs if you have questions.

Also, there is a Moto Guzzi dealer here to support your trip if you need anything, Optimum Performance Motorsports. Or if you think you'll be needing tires or a service, we can have it ready and waiting for you.

[poorBob]

...I have family with a BMW shop, and they replace a ton of tires that "looked good for the trip."

Very good advice. Twice now I have replaced tires far from home that "looked good for the trip" and have come to the conclusion that I get much longer life out of tires when they are not bearing the burden of loaded saddlebags + rain suit and bike cover.

[travelingbyguzzi]

BlackBuell, if you are in WA the weekend of May 10, we are having a weekend camp out near Waitsburg.

Bill Lovelady.     IS
Eskimo Spy

[cappisj1]

Replace the swing arm bearings. I though it couldn’t happen to me, the bike rides great. Ahhhh



not so great.

[drdwb]

Agree totally. Also replace the original rear shock if you haven’t yet.

Replace the swing arm bearings. I though it couldn’t happen to me, the bike rides great. Ahhhh



not so great.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Greasing the rear bearings is not a huge job but if its not something you are comfortable doing just pay someone, a good shop would have it done in 4 hours If you have a friend who's done it a six pack should cover it.
The alternator belt may not be due but take one with you otherwise if it did break you would be waiting around for days. Any shop can do it, I did the one on my Griso with just the tools I carry. Carry a set of metric Allen keys, a wrench for all the common sizes, screwdrivers.
-------------------------------
I changed my belt before a trip to the Salt Lake. Although I was in the comfort of the garage I deliberately restricted myself to the tools I normally carry on the bike.
Allen Keys, 4,5 & 6mm (these have a ball end but it's just a nice to have)
Ring/Open end wrench 13mm, a small adjustable would do at a pinch.

Remove bottom 4 cover screws
Remove ECU cover and ECU holding bolts, swing it out of the way.
Remove the 5th cover screw and the breather box standoff which also acts as a cover screw.
Loosen the 6mm clamping screw at about 11 o'clock with regard to the alternator pulley.
Remove the cheek from the right hand side of tank
Loosen the locknut on the belt adjuster, easily accessed once the cheek is out of the way.
Back off the belt adjuster until at least 1/2" of thread is exposed
Squeeze the belt together so the alternator swings down, if the belt is broken lever the alternator down

Place new belt around alternator pulley, start it around crank pulley. Turn the crank with a wrench or crank it with the starter and the belt will pop on.
Re-tighten the belt tensioner and the locknut. I just put it back where it was but also noted it was easy to twist the belt through 90° in between pulleys. It should also be possible to turn the motor over using a small wrench on the alternator pulley nut, a little slip would be ok.
Re-tighten the 6mm Allen clamp screw
Refit cover
Bolt back the ECU and cover.

The original belt at 40,000 km has a few small stones embedded in it probably from the Dempster trip but still has plenty of life left, I will carry it as a spare.
https://image.ibb.co/k14wwK/IMG_0752.jpg
It took about 1-1/2 hours on the Griso, might be double that on the Norge with all the extra Tupperware.

[blackbuell]

Huzo: I have already done the startus interruptus mod

Cappis: just curious, how many miles did you have on the bike when the bearings failed?

Perraz: will have a shop (Cadre Cycle in Cincinnati) check and grease, if necessary replace, the bearings for me.

Ryan: makes sense to replace the belt now; will do it and carry the old one with me as a spare. I will start the trip with nearly new tires.

Kiwi Roy: thanks for the help with the belt replacement info.

regarding packing for the trip: thanks for the advice, but I have taken dozens of long trips over the years; have figured out what and how much to pack.

Don't know if I can afford to replace the shock right now; I have read that the 2007's had weaker shocks than the later models, but I previously owned a 2009 Norge, and the shock on my 2007 actually feels stouter than the one on the 2009.

Bill: probably won't get there until late May; weather can be a problem in early May between home and Washington state.

I'll repost before I leave.

Thanks,

Jon

[kingoffleece]

If you haven't already, Stelvio hand guards fit the Norge and preform quite well in late spring weather.
And you do have a newish battery, correct?

[blackbuell]

KOF:

Battery is 2 years old; should be OK. I've ridden many miles on this bike in temps below 40 degrees F; my warm-weather gloves in combo with the very effective grip heaters have been sufficient.

Jon

[cappisj1]

I finally checked the bearings at 60000 but they failed well before then. Also, I talked with MG Cycle and they could not source the bearings and had me order from the dealer. Took a week and a half to get them in from Italy. This was about a year ago. 

Love my Norge. Hope you have a great trip!

[PJPR01]

Last month, for my 2008 Norge, I just had my swing arm bearings regreased at MPH here in Houston, along with having the alternator belt replaced.  Both were originals and now 10 years old, 40k miles.  Bike is running perfectly, deliciously smooth, and I'd had this on my To Do List for a while now.

Surprisingly, my swing arm bearings were still very nicely greased, no issues at all...not bad for 10 years of usage so I must have had some luck from the factory, but I never had any issues.

Alternator belt was also original, had become hard and was throwing dust, and although still working, it was time to replace.

Total cost was for about 6-7 hours of work, if I recall correctly, time well spent to get something important done and support my local shop as well.

[Ryan]

Remembered a column by Peter Egan about packing for long trips. Buy new socks, underwear, and tee shirts. Take your old ones on the trip, and throw them out as they get dirty along the way. Dual benefit of forcing you to get rid of old underthings, and it frees up space in the saddlebags for souvenirs collected along the way. I believe the venerable Barb had something to do with this strategy. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

On Pete's urging I greased the rear bearings soon after I bought the bike, around 40,000 km from memory, there was still enough grease in there but barely.
Support the rear of the bike through the Luigi hole, a 3/4" water pipe just fit through mine and was supported by the washer in each end, you may have to put some sort of plastic bush in yours if it doesn't have these washers.
The only grease that was in the bearings was what was shipped in the wrapper from the bearing factory. I unbolted the CARC and lifted it off and I believe I pulled the shaft out.
The swingarm is removed by unbolting the LH footrest bracket, this then exposes the bolt that holds the swing arm in place, this is by far the easiest Guzzi swingarm to remove as this bolt is easily removed.
At some point the 3way dogbone is unbolted, just be careful not to let the internal sleeves slide out until you are ready, there's dozens of little needle rollers to fall out, re-pack them with grease on the bench.
There is no need to replace the strut, it's not great quality and I pumped all the oil out of mine on a really rough road but it has been overhauled successfully.

[Perazzimx14]

Remembered a column by Peter Egan about packing for long trips. Buy new socks, underwear, and tee shirts. Take your old ones on the trip, and throw them out as they get dirty along the way. Dual benefit of forcing you to get rid of old underthings, and it frees up space in the saddlebags for souvenirs collected along the way. I believe the venerable Barb had something to do with this strategy.

If you don't over pack like 99% of novice moto-travelers do you'll only need a fraction of the space you think you do.  Most people bring home more clean cloths that they made dirty when moto-traveling.

1st time I went on a week long road trip I had 3 panniers packed to the gills. Got home realized i used less than 50% of what I packed. Next time I reduced what i took by 50%. Again when I got home I realized I still only used about 1/2 of what I brought. So I paired down more. NOw going for a 3 or 4 day trip and tank bag is big enough. If traveling for a week + 1 small bag of cloths, one pannier for boot or shoes and and dirty cloths. Top case totally empty to stow gear in if stopping at a place where it needs locked up.

Really traveling longer than a week is easier. Most hotel/motel have laundry so ever three days do laundry then you only need to bring 4 days worth of cloths with you.