'89 Mille GT first ride report

[tobydmv]

Alright the weather finally cooperated in Charlotte so I put some miles on the Mille.  Sunday I rode up to Mac's for a pint and some wings with friends.  I've never ridden a tonti frame bike as my previous guzzis were a spine framed 02 lemans, a v50ii, and an old ambassador.  The tonti is a great frame, feels low and handles well.  Not quite as well as the spine frame I think, but still a great bike and lots of fun.  I find the carbs work loads better than the early FI.   Found a few bugs that need fixing.  Love to hear your thoughts.

1.  Carb springs are stiff!  I feel like this dude in the skittles ad.  Would a dual pull throttle help?  Stock throttle might be one cable into a splitter under the tank.  I think the stock throttle might have the ignition button and kill switch built in.  I dont mind replacing both.



2.  Oil leaks!  She marked her turf everywhere we went.  Culprit looks to be the sump, clutch actuator O ring, gearbox breather, and maybe the conical seals as theres a bit of oil weeping out the bell housing inspection hole.  Any idea how to get the conical clutch pushrod seals out?  Are they behind the thrust bearing?  I have a hooked dental pic that might help.  Parts are on the way.  I'll pull the rear wheel and crab the frame.

3.  The seat is a recent fab item and doesnt work with the seat lock.  Any after market seats from Sargent or other makers?  Maybe an sp seat or other bike crossover?

4.  New halogen headlight fitted and works amazing.  I had it sitting on the shelf from an old ducati monster build.  I think it was $100 and worth every penny.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

1. Lighter springs are available: http://guzzino.com/thspphfphm30.html Lubing the throttle assembly and cables might do wonders and is free.

2. The clutch pushrod seals are in "behind" the throw-out bearing assembly. You should be able to hook them or they might just come out with the pushrod. I don't use the conical seals, had them leak on several projects, now use a stack of 6 "special" o-rings. I'll send you some for free if you'd like. You won't need to crab the frame to access the clutch throw-out bearing and pushrod, just remove the rear wheel, rear drive and swingarm.

[redrider]

They are sweet, eh? You should be able to remove the bearing at the back of the housing and the pushrod is easily removed. My seals were ok but I did re-shim the shift drum. Snickety-snick now. I did the transmission while porting and polishing the heads myself and installed Lafranconi Comptizeones. Much smoother and a bit more pull. Use some Dri-Slide on the cables- amazing how that helps. Bell Ray waterproof grease, sparingly, in the splitters and cable ends is a good idea. No problem with throttle springs but lighter ones are available. A smearing of the grease on the pan and valve cover gaskets keeps them good for many open and close cycles. My Corbin seat has an L shaped bracket that mates to the seat lock. I'll send a few pics when I get home.

[tobydmv]

Redrider, the gear box is pretty good other than a 2nd neutral in between 2nd and 3rd  ~;  Did the shim job help with that?  I have to remind myself to focus on a positive shifting stomp with guzzi's.  Love to hear more about the Corbin seat.
Thanks,
Toby

[redrider]

The '04 V11 box is better than most all but the Mille rivals it. The 2-3 upshift false neutral is banished. Gone. Light effort with the usual ease out the clutch lever a bit while pressing, not stomping, on the pedal when cold. As soon as it snicks into 1st, pull in the lever. look on youtube, 89milleGT channel. that's mine after the mods.

Corbin will make a seat if you have the stock pan although the quality in recent years has slipped. I learned that after having mine re-covered. I have since found a local upholstery shop that does beautiful work.