(less than) 6,000 mile service for V7III, questions

[majstevetrevor]

I've got about 4800 miles on my V7III, but about 1.5 years into riding it.  Figuring I will go ahead and have my local (non-Guzzi) garage do the second service (which the manual suggests at 6000/one year) this winter.

Engine oil and filter for sure (i'll supply the Guzzi oil filter), but seems like neither the final drive oil nor the transmission/gearbox oil is necessary, is that the consensus?

Also, how crucial is the valve adjustment do you all think?  And if it is, that mean replacing the valve cover gaskets correct?

Anything else I should know or buy ahead of time for the non-Guzzi shop?

[Dirk_S]

I would never skip valve check/adjustment. Keep that clearance in spec. Doesn’t take much effort to check them. If the gasket isn’t torn up, I think you can reuse, just keep an eye on weeping. The valve cover gasket isn’t crucial like a head or cylinder gasket.

[9fingers]

DO the valve check......my right cylinder was way out of spec....super tight.....and making the right header quite dark. Also, perhaps supply the correct oil to your non MG dealer as he almost certainly won't have 10/60 Castrol Edge Super Car oil or similar and will use whatever he has. They sell it reasonably at Walmart. I also did the gearbox oil on mine.
Scott

[DaSwami]

Do it all.  Valves, engine/tranny/diff oil.....my diff oil was very dark at 1500 miles...cheap insurance all the way around...V7III's don't ask for much, so give them what little they ask for.  My .02

[Speciality]

Do it all.  Valves, engine/tranny/diff oil.....my diff oil was very dark at 1500 miles...cheap insurance all the way around...V7III's don't ask for much, so give them what little they ask for.  My .02

+1 on that. Why not do it yourself?

[Huzo]

Why the hell would you not just do yourself as some have said ?
Just get the oil of correct spec, get the on line manual and get to know your bike. I cannot understand anyone NOT wanting to…
Don’t look for ways around changing your oil, are there reasons why you don’t want to ?

[aproud1]

It's good to have a spare gasket on hand in case you accidentally pinch and twist yours....

As others have said the overall service isn't terribly hard. Unless you would just rather not, it is a good way to get to know the bike better. Plus, there are youtube videos that walk you through.

And +1 to changing all the fluids. Not hard or terribly expensive and gets your eyes on more critical things. Just make sure not to overfill the oil in the shaft.

[Dirk_S]

While the oil changes and other things may be easy tasks for a first-timer, if one’s never checked or adjusted their own valves, I’d highly recommend against doing those alone without having your work looked over. The first time I did my valve clearances, I ended up being off (surprise, surprise). Getting top dead center and the correct gap feel with the gauges unfortunately are one of those things that don’t easily transfer from dictation to proper execution.

[Vagrant]

The III has reusable rocker gaskets not the old paper style. You will need a new crush washer for the oil filter and I always have a spare O ring just in case yours gets torn. Don't forget there is a reusable nylon filter in the 6 speed now.

[Kev m]

I stopped reading when I noticed people ignoring the maintenance schedule.

Here's my advice:

* Engine oil and filter - change it based on time since you haven't reached the mileage.

* Transmission - leave alone till you get to the mileage.

* Rear drive - check for water contamination (emulsification). Change if any is found otherwise wait for mileage. This is really important based on ambient conditions and usage as some get badly contaminated with moisture.

* Valves - wait for mileage unless you have another reason to think they've tightened up. Order a spare set of cover gaskets. If you have them on hand you'll almost never need to replace them.

Same goes for all the crush washers. I have spares for everything, but don't change them often.

That's it. Our V7III is at a similar mileage.

[usedtobefast]

Here is a video of a v7 iii valve adjustment ... a person could watch this and see if they think they could do it or not:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frtoCecgxKI&t=295s

[majstevetrevor]

Thanks for all the feedback. This is all helpful. Even the differing opinions are worth hearing.

With regard to doing it myself, yes everyone who does all their own work are always shocked that other people don’t. But there it is, turns out we’re not all alike.  In my case I live on a city street, on a steep hill, with neither a garage nor a driveway, so I’m not really set up to do it myself.

[krglorioso]

By all means, take your bike to a shop.  I would bring my own oil and a proper filter and gaskets.  10-60 Castrol Edge can be gotten on E-bay or WalMart and the gaskets and filter from M-G Cycle in Wisconsin or Harper's in Missouri.  Both are old-time Guzzi specialists.

Note that Guzzi engines are separate from clutch and gearbox and you do not have to use Motorcycle specific oil.  Synthetic car oils of the 10-60 viscosity rating are fine.

Ralph

[Kiwi_Roy]

+1 for do it yourself , my dealer was quite happy to have me do my own after I offered to purchase the consumables from them the service manager told me to make sure I filled in the log.
They lost a few hours shop time but still made a killing on parts.

[Texas Turnip]

Hold it! Not everyone has a heated/air conditioned shop with a $30,000 SnapOn tool box and a 50 grand stereo system.
I know  a few Guzzi riders that live in condos and the only thing they can do legally is check the oil and tires. One rider lives on the third floor of an apartment and keeps his Guzzi in a storage compartment three blocks away. Also, if yo0 are making $500 an hour or more you don't want to be bothered with working on your bike.

There is a wide range of Guzzi owners. Respect it!
Tex

[Dirk_S]

I was going to puff out my chest like a pretty peacock and boast the fact that I live in a tiny apartment, my bike stays outside, and all my work is done either out on the pavement or in my kitchen. The proverbial sidewalk mechanic. But—I don’t have to deal with a graded surface, so I won’t do that.

Note to self—don’t move to San Francisco.