2009 CalVin Gearbox Oil Change

[janusz]

Planning to start doing a basic maintenance of my bikes by myself. I located on the internet instructions how to perform engine, transmission and real gear oil check/change. The only issue is the transmission oil, to get the draining plug out it looks like one needs to remove mufflers and H-pipe. Apparently there is a secondary draining plug but it is not recommended since the oil draining is not quite full. Is there a special tool I can buy to access the vertical draining plug or the only solution is to replace original H-pipe with rounded one like Mistral H-Pipe? Worst case scenario, how difficult is it to remove the mufflers and H-pipe? Thanks!

[timonbik]

Just a point of clarification.  I think what you are referring to is the "gearbox".  Moto Guzzi calls the rear end/final drive the transmission. Can cause confusion with regard to fluid viscosity and quantity.
Cheers,  Tim

[Wayne Orwig]

Just use the drain in the rear cover. I always do.

[pete roper]

The oil draining is never quite 'Full'. There will always be some residue of the previous fill left in any component, it really is silly to worry about it. Unless you were to take apart the box and de-grease it thoroughly every oil change of course! But to do that you'd have to be barmy!

I can remember being told by a bloke once that when he changed the oil in his bevelbox he removed it from the bike and set it up in a specially made jig with a spirit level to ensure that when he added oil he knew it was at exactly the right level when it started coming out of the level plug! I think I must of looked a bit incredulous as he got a bit huffy and snarky after that!

Pete

[janusz]

Just a point of clarification.  I think what you are referring to is the "gearbox".  Moto Guzzi calls the rear end/final drive the transmission. Can cause confusion with regard to fluid viscosity and quantity.
Cheers,  Tim

Tim, you are absolutely right. According to Moto Guzzi User Maintenance Book the title of this post should say gearbox not transmission. The rear end/drive is call in the manual 'rear transmission box'. Thanks!

[janusz]

Thank you all for comments and advice. One more question, what benefits other than easy access to the draining plug would installation of a Mistral H-Pipe produce?

EDITED: I found the answer http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=24621.0

Thanks again!

[Sheepdog]

The H-Pipe does open up the space under the Vintage a great deal. When I first removed the stock crossover, I was surprised to find those "stingers" extending so far past the expansion chamber. At first, it seemed like it would inhibit good flow, but after studying it a bit I think I was wrong. The expansion chamber dumps into both outlets (stingers) and the extended length prevents discoloration at the front of the silencers. On the other hand, if you were to remap your fuel injection and disable the closed-loop (lambda sensor) feature of your bike's CPU, the stock crossover would lose most of it's utility. I guess what I'm saying is that with or without an aftermarket h-pipe, your CalVin will run just fine.

[janusz]

Sheepdog, in your thread from 2009 (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=24621.0) user GT-Rx posted following comment:
"The Mistral and Stucchi H-pipe will crack in time. Be prepared."

You installed Mistral H-pipe over 7 years ago and I assume the original piece is still on the bike. Do you find the above comment to be true?

[Sheepdog]

Mine has held up well, but I took measures: when I installed the h-pipe, I loosened the headpipes first. This eliminated the possibility of putting the h-pipe in a stressed condition that might lead to cracking. Todd markets an h-pipe with a telescoping crossover that clamps tight once it is fastened to the headpipes...basical ly the same result as with my technique. The GuzziTech (Todd's outfit) h-pipe is a very clever piece, but I didn't know about it when I bought my Mistral...

[janusz]

Mine has held up well, but I took measures: when I installed the h-pipe, I loosened the headpipes first. This eliminated the possibility of putting the h-pipe in a stressed condition that might lead to cracking. Todd markets an h-pipe with a telescoping crossover that clamps tight once it is fastened to the headpipes...basical ly the same result as with my technique. The GuzziTech (Todd's outfit) h-pipe is a very clever piece, but I didn't know about it when I bought my Mistral...

So when you say you loosened headpipes first prior to installation of H-pipe I assume they were tighten back after H-pipe piece was in place. Forgive me for being a pest and asking all those questions but being newbie as far as motorcycle wrenching is concern I like to make sure I understand the 'procedure' well. Thanks a lot!

[timonbik]

When I looked at the bike, the seller told me that the aftermarket "H" pipe was on the bike when he bought it and it wasn't running properly so he took it into the dealer where they removed it and installed the Factory pipe  and downloaded new mapping.  As I said before, don't understand why fluids weren't changed then.
Cheers, Tim

[lazlokovacs]

my mistral h pipe has been on my calvin since 2009 with absolutely no problems.

and I generally manhandle my exhausts into place while cursing on the garage floor.

YMMV

[janusz]

When I looked at the bike, the seller told me that the aftermarket "H" pipe was on the bike when he bought it and it wasn't running properly so he took it into the dealer where they removed it and installed the Factory pipe  and downloaded new mapping.  As I said before, don't understand why fluids weren't changed then.
Cheers, Tim

Yep, the same I was told when we were viewing bike with Shaun. At this point it is not important what was done or not done  in the past. I like to start fresh and all oils will be replaced, next I will put Mistal H-pipe (on order already) and see how it fits/works. Shaun promised to help with the remapping and if things are not kosher I will be able to easily convert to original setup. I read many times that Moto Guzzi bikes need initial sorting out before they are working properly and I'm ready to spend some $$ and time to get there. Looks like this bike was just neglected from the beginning and result are noticeable now.

[Sheepdog]

Yes...I believe you understand the protocol. The whole idea is to minimize any stress on the headpipes and the H-pipe...