YAY! A new "quirk"!

[Toecutter]

Now my kickstand has taken to randomly dropping, whenever it feels like it, sometimes not for weeks, sometimes a couple of times a day. It's particularly comforting when it does it at 130 km/h, surrounded by rush hour commuters.

Also, my gear shift lever won't "drop" after shifting in to 3rd.... *sometimes*. So when I go to switch in 4th, nothing happens... sometimes.

Ah, Guzzi. I bought it looking for an "old bike experience" in a new bike, and lo and behold, it delivers.   

[Chuck in Indiana]

And what bike is this?

[Toecutter]

It's a V7 Special.

It's been an interesting first 20,000 km.

Love the bike, though, don't get me wrong.

[ITSec]

Now my kickstand has taken to randomly dropping, whenever it feels like it, sometimes not for weeks, sometimes a couple of times a day. It's particularly comforting when it does it at 130 km/h, surrounded by rush hour commuters.

Also, my gear shift lever won't "drop" after shifting in to 3rd.... *sometimes*. So when I go to switch in 4th, nothing happens... sometimes.

Ah, Guzzi. I bought it looking for an "old bike experience" in a new bike, and lo and behold, it delivers.   

Regarding the kickstand - The small block bikes have a long (and thoroughly discussed) history of having a weak spring on the kickstand. While it was more often seen on the earlier Breva 750, it continues with the recent V7s. Repalce the inner spring (I believe) with a stronger one, and lubricate the axle point liberally - this should eliminate the issue.

Concerning the transmission, that likely needs some attention. The older 5-speeds are known for being notchy around 1st and 2nd, particularly when cold, but the upper gears are generally problem-free. It may simply be lube for the linkage, or it may be internal, but what you describe seems to indicate an actual problem.

[Chuck in Indiana]

The small block 5 speeds are pretty bullet proof. The first thing I'd look at is linkage, lube.

[Perazzimx14]

It's a V7 Special.

It's been an interesting first 20,000 km.

Love the bike, though, don't get me wrong.

My V7R sometimes auto deploys its side stand too.

[Farmer Dan]

My Eldo keeps forgetting to retract it's side stand. 

[Toecutter]

Linkage is bent slightly, just waiting on a replacement part for that.

[lost]

I had a similar shifting experience on my non Guzzi when I first purchased it. Turns out the problem was the operator. I found that due to my aging joints I wasn't allowing the shifter to fully return when I shifted which meant the trans would not change gear. I adjusted the lever to allow the diminished range of motion in my ankles and the problem went away.