New to me V7ii Stornello!!

[raulnor]

Today is the best day ever, because my Stornello was delivered! Number 773/1000, got it with 78XX miles on it from EuroCycle Las Vegas.

As always with a new bike, it's now time to make it mine! The bar end mirrors that the previous owner had on it don't hold their position and the bolts are stripped, so those need to be replaced. Is the bar 7/8" or 1"? I also want to get heated grips for it, so I'll probably do both at the same time.

The dealer said that this bike had a tail tidy on it, and the pictures showed it, but I guess they had to put the stock rear light assembly back on which kinda sucks, and the hole spacing doesn't fit my license plate. Any recommendations for good looking tail tidies for this platform?

What are the chances of finding used and/or affordable suspension upgrades for it? The rear shocks compress a lot just from me sitting on it (230#) so I don't really feel comfortable putting my fiance on the back without more travel on it. A lot of the rear shock kits are >$500, and yes I know you get what you pay for, but that's a bit dear for me at the moment.

I already got the USB cables from England and will be getting a Beetle map hopefully within the next month. Do any Arrow high exhaust owners have feedback or experience with GTMs mid-pipe? Is that worth planning for in the future or does it not really make a difference?

[Off @ 90]

Congratulations on Stornello purchase. I have just put some Hagon rear shocks on mine and happy with result .
The OEM shocks were too stiff for my weight (80kg) even with zero preload . Hagon made the shocks for my weight and getting about 25mm rider sag now so all good and they have adjustable dampening . You will probably find the OEM fork springs too soft for your weight . I preloaded my forks springs 10 mm and installed emulators  made huge improvement. Beetle map good too otherwise they are a bit cold blooded .

[Kiwi_Roy]

Welcome to the forum, congratulations on the new Guzzi 
Don't rush into making changes, you might find you don't need them when the dust settles.
The bars would be 7/8 or metric equivalent

[Air-Cooled]

It the rear fender was modified by the installation of a "tail tidy" I would strongly recommend buying a new OEM fender and whatever else OEM is needed to restore the bike to stock.  This will be a collectible bike and you'd better get the replacement parts while they are still available. If the mirrors are stripped, as you say, replace those as well with OEM.

[Brand X]

Welcome to the Stronello club..   I have been making changes from day one, but always with the option of going back 100 % stock. No drilling holes/etc...  I went back to my racer tank, mainly to keep the stock tank mint.. I enjoy working on this simple machine.

[Beowulf]

Congratulations. Love the look of the stornello. Highly recommend the beetle map. Mine wasn’t a stornello but my v7 ii was amazing after that beetle map. I’d love a map from beetle for the 850.

[Brand X]

Congratulations. Love the look of the stornello. Highly recommend the beetle map. Mine wasn’t a stornello but my v7 ii was amazing after that beetle map. I’d love a map from beetle for the 850.

I found almost zero reason for a mapp on my Stornello. The Stornello has it's own mapp, and if it runs correct, then leave it alone.. Although you can save the stock mapp, and run the other one too.. 

[raulnor]

I found almost zero reason for a mapp on my Stornello. The Stornello has it's own mapp, and if it runs correct, then leave it alone.. Although you can save the stock mapp, and run the other one too..

Part of the reason I want the map is because the previous owner drilled out the baffle in the exhaust, so the fuelling is probably already off.

[Brand X]

Part of the reason I want the map is because the previous owner drilled out the baffle in the exhaust, so the fuelling is probably already off.

I am not against mapping a Stornello, Just overall mine is fine with very good MPG too:azn:

[Beowulf]

I am not against mapping a Stornello, Just overall mine is fine with very good MPG too:azn:

Beetle maps are the way….. to each their own. Beautiful bike I love the stornello look.

[Brand X]

Beetle maps are the way….. to each their own. Beautiful bike I love the stornello look.

Like I said, and Beetle too If you like your mapp don't change it.. I want mine to run on the O2 sensor, and that is personal preference. It has no surging or real signs of running too lean..  I live at high altitude, and runs on mid-grade gas perfect.  The mapp could help a bit in warm up, and possibly a small when warm restart deal. Not going to sacrifice 1 mpg ,or even the potential of it.  

[midnite]

What are the chances of finding used and/or affordable suspension upgrades for it? The rear shocks compress a lot just from me sitting on it (230#) so I don't really feel comfortable putting my fiance on the back without more travel on it. A lot of the rear shock kits are >$500, and yes I know you get what you pay for, but that's a bit dear for me at the moment.

I already got the USB cables from England and will be getting a Beetle map hopefully within the next month. Do any Arrow high exhaust owners have feedback or experience with GTMs mid-pipe? Is that worth planning for in the future or does it not really make a difference?

Maybe not a popular opinion here, but I tried both the GTM map and Beetle’s map for my V7ii. For me, the GTM map (admittedly pricier) offers considerably stronger, more consistent pull throughout the rev range without sacrificing mileage. I’ve gotten around 45mpg US with spirited riding with both maps. In terms of smiles per mile, the GTM map comes out ahead for me. I happily ran a beetle map on my Griso for reference, so know this is highly subjective!

Todd (GTM) also offers an allegedly good option from shock factory as a budget shock offering, with combined damping adjustment, though I think there were supply chain issues. Worth checking out regardless.

Enjoy your new bike! I can’t stop riding mine (a Stone).

[Bulldog9]

Maybe not a popular opinion here, but I tried both the GTM map and Beetle’s map for my V7ii. For me, the GTM map (admittedly pricier) offers considerably stronger, more consistent pull throughout the rev range without sacrificing mileage. I’ve gotten around 45mpg US with spirited riding with both maps. In terms of smiles per mile, the GTM map comes out ahead for me. I happily ran a beetle map on my Griso for reference, so know this is highly subjective!

Todd (GTM) also offers an allegedly good option from shock factory as a budget shock offering, with combined damping adjustment, though I think there were supply chain issues. Worth checking out regardless.

Enjoy your new bike! I can’t stop riding mine (a Stone).

GTM has some solid offerings, but the Todd tax is not in my willing budget outlays......  Beetle paired with GD is Genius and pennies to the GTM.  The Guzzi Diag works on most bikes (pre Euro 5), and Maps are $100.  Plus, if you are not a douche, Beetel will custom tune your map for you.

OP, welcome to the Stornello Madness. I think the Stornello is a sweet spot in the V7 line.  6 Speed Trans and TC/ABS, last of the Heron heads, unique exhaust and tune from other V7's, the Stornello is spunky and sprite and a TON of fun.

I made a ton of mods to make it more of an ADV rather than a Scrambler, and the bike is a joy to ride.

[raulnor]

So I did my first longer ride today, and noticed some pogo-ing when going at highway speeds. It seemed like the front forks were bouncing back and forth and never really settled down. Is this what people were talking about with the front forks not being damped well, and why people swap them out? I did some basic research and it seems like you need specialized tools to change out springs and stuff from the front suspension, and getting all-new prebuilt ones is suuuper expensive.

[Off @ 90]

If your sag is not right for your weight then that is the first thing to set correctly approx 1/3 total travel. Changing fork springs is straight forward or fitting spacers to get more preload .Also replace your fork oil and check level / air gap is correct .The damper rod forks on the V7 are basic fixed oriface and modifying them can get very expensive .
Installing emulators a good compromise but you need some machine tools drill  press and lathe came in handy to do yourself .

[BoatDoc]

Welcome to the Stornello clan! Day before yesterday I passed the 25K mile point and the bike continues to run great. So far the only issue was a folded over gasket on the brake fluid reservoir that weeped when new. I did find a significant improvement with the Beetle map, although no noticeable change in the mileage which hovers around 53 mpg. I went for the RaceTech shocks with 1 inch greater travel and they were a big improvement over stock. I tried about a half dozen, increasingly expensive, options for the front and finally picked the RaceTech gold emulators. Compared to my other bikes with cartridges they are not as good, but they are a huge improvement over stock. I went to Jim Hamlin's and he drilled out the damping rod. Go directly to the Race Tech website and fill in the questionnaire to get the correct fit.

 I also added a bunch of misc. items: center stand, wind shield, pannier racks, folding brake and shift ends, air breather on final drive, Oxford heated grips (note there are three sizes, AF1 sells the correct size), cell phone holder, luggage, front fender risers, etc. YMMV. I use the Shinko 705 4.1-18 in front and 130/80-17 in back and they seem to work for light dual sport and are a good price.

Heading off to do the MABDR in a week. Another fun thing to do with your new bike! Congrats!

Paul

[Bulldog9]

So I did my first longer ride today, and noticed some pogo-ing when going at highway speeds. It seemed like the front forks were bouncing back and forth and never really settled down. Is this what people were talking about with the front forks not being damped well, and why people swap them out? I did some basic research and it seems like you need specialized tools to change out springs and stuff from the front suspension, and getting all-new prebuilt ones is suuuper expensive.

You probably need to set the preload on the rear springs. The Stock Suspension was unrideable for me in any condition other than 40mph glass smooth roads. 

I put on the Hagon Enduro Shocks sprung for my weight (200lbs) in the rear and KTECH fork springs (7.5lb) in the front and the suspension is spot on.  NOT a race bike or canyon carver, but about perfect for normal riding on and off road.  otal cost was under $300, but that was 3-4 years ago, likely higher now.  NO need to spend a mint.

[raulnor]

Hmm. I don't have one of those special wrenches I've seen people use to adjust shocks, and my last bike was a Tiger 1200 with active suspension so I never really learned how to set my own stuff. More stuff to research  I wonder if I have any other tools laying around that'll do the job.

Looks like I can get Hagon shocks and replacement fork springs for $640 which isn't too bad, from Motocorse. Or if I go with GTM, it's $755, but that comes with adjustments for the forks as well as the shocks.

[Bulldog9]

Hmm. I don't have one of those special wrenches I've seen people use to adjust shocks, and my last bike was a Tiger 1200 with active suspension so I never really learned how to set my own stuff. More stuff to research  I wonder if I have any other tools laying around that'll do the job.

Looks like I can get Hagon shocks and replacement fork springs for $640 which isn't too bad, from Motocorse. Or if I go with GTM, it's $755, but that comes with adjustments for the forks as well as the shocks.

The 'tool kit' has the spring wrench thing.

https://www.ktechsuspensionusa.com/p-21478-k-tech-suspension-front-fork-spring.aspx About $70 for the fork Springs

https://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/  About $260 for the Enduro/Trail Shocks

$330 out the door and on your way. 

I've got 3-4 years and 8K miles on mine and couldn't be happier, but YMMV

I would definately look into setting the rear preload, I bet it is on it's hardest/highest.

[raulnor]

The preload on the shocks was set about 2/3 up the threads, so very stiff. I backed it all the way out and I'll do some more testing, but so far it has solved the pogo issue. I'll probably need to add some more back in when I have time to do proper sag measurements.

No tool kit with my bike unfortunately, I'll need to acquire one somewhere else. I just used a plumbers wrench, which definitely isn't the best idea because those aluminum rings are SOFT.

The Hagon USA site doesn't have the enduro shocks unfortunately, but I'll probably be fine with the Street/Classic since I'm not planning on running trails besides getting to campsites.

[raulnor]

So at least until I can afford to get new shocks and springs on the bike, I've managed to get it to be comfortable at highway speeds and still handle well enough for my skills. Preload is set all the way out, with about 3 threads showing below the adjustment rings. I also discovered that the bike was delivered with the tires above 40 psi front and rear, so I backed them down to 30/32 and the ride comfort improved substantially. I've got herniated discs that I'm trying to let heal, so softening things up was a must