BREVA 750 AIR FILTER CHANGE

[timonbik]

Well it was a cold crappy day outside so thought I would tackle an over due maintenance project on the BB750.  Figured it was probably the original air filter so being 12 years old and with 36000km on the clock it was about due.  Did some research on how to go about it and  decided upon the frontal no gas tank removal method.  Well that's the better part of 2 hours I will never get back.   What a ROYAL PITA.  Again I have to seriously question the mentality of MG  making what should be routine maintenance so difficult.  Thank GOD I don't live in a dusty climate. Think I would sell the bike before I went at that again.  Yes the filter was somewhat dirty but still serviceable. 

Cheers, Tim

[Muzz]

Whoever came up with it is evil.

I do the no-gas-tank-removal method and it is indeed a pain in the proverbial.

I am pleased that I too do not live in a dusty environment.

[malik]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the 2TB smallblocks. It's a right royal PIA, though still not so much of a pain as to contemplate removing the airbox altogether. That'd be too radical an option.

I remove both horns, and often, but not always, the reg/rec - just to make enough room in there to manipulate/rotate/fiddle with that bloody cover. The metal tank now on the V7C is just that little bit wider & deeper, so it has to be raised to get at the top 2 screws of the air filter cover (so seat off as well). Even then, it's not always plain sailing (Hey, it's Italian), so I keep my tobacco handy, fresh tea brewed, and/or a glass of red available. Usually get to use at least two of those aids. Note: being in a hurry does not usually help. It usually gets easier with practice, though not always. It'll certainly trip you up once you get overconfident.

It can get much worse - just wait till you need to get at THE SCREW OF DOOM.

[antmanbee]

I permanently removed my airbox and now have very easy servicing. Lots of room.





 

[SmithSwede]

I did not realize that air filter access was that bad on the earlier small blocks.  It is dead easy on a 2013 single throttle body bike. 

I’m convinced that unless you regularly ride in very dusty conditions, most people replace their air filters way too often.  I’m at 30,000 miles and holding.  They actually filter better when old, and will do fine for quite some time, until they finally get full and choke off.     

If it is that much trouble on a 2 throttle body bike, I’d be tempted to fit a cheap air filter restriction gauge and only mess with the filter when the gauge told me it was absolutely essential to change it. 

[Muzz]

It can get much worse - just wait till you need to get at THE SCREW OF DOOM.

In a perfect world you will never need to take the gearbox out or even work on the clutch.  That's in a perfect world....

If not, THE SCREW OF DOOM awaits!

[sign216]

A Spanish site listed how to change the air filter, and I adapted it to a tutorial, but it's geared to the Breva, early V7, etc.  Take a look, there's at least one or two good photos there (double click on the photos to get the text):

  https://www.flickr.com/photos/sign216/albums/72157638864403325 

[timonbik]

Sign216 I did use your photos as a guide and removed those parts shown.  On your photos though it appears that the side panels/lowers on the gas tank were removed or nonexistent.  They complicate the front removal method as they are in the way of removing the front cover to the side so that the filter can be slid out and the new one put in.  I really think this is another example of really poor GUZZI design.  As I said earlier checking/changing an air filter should be a simple matter that should be able to be done on the side of the road.  It's like having to remove or loosen the exhaust to change the gearbox oil.
Cheers,

[guzzisteve]

Doing it for a living I didn't think it's so bad. BUT  was doing V1000 & Sp's which is like a T3. Now that is a PIA, same with early smallblocks. Even on the later ones for squareheads, you had to take a carb off.
The 1st Breva 750 I did I took too much off I didn't need to.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've done two, without removing the tank. While it's still "not fun", it wasn't as bad as some (like those mentioned by Steve).

[SIR REAL ED]

Doing it for a living I didn't think it's so bad. BUT  was doing V1000 & Sp's which is like a T3. Now that is a PIA, same with early smallblocks. Even on the later ones for squareheads, you had to take a carb off.
The 1st Breva 750 I did I took too much off I didn't need to.

On the Nevada, taking off the "chrome air scoops" helps a lot.  Also removing the two front covers separately, and installing them separately is helpful.  Never was able to get them out of the frame, or back in as a pair.  Lacked about about a 1/4" of clearance no matter what orientation.  One at a time, lots of clearance.

[malik]

...........
  I really think this is another example of really poor GUZZI design.  As I said earlier checking/changing an air filter should be a simple matter that should be able to be done on the side of the road.  It's like having to remove or loosen the exhaust to change the gearbox oil.
Cheers,

To be fair, they did (eventually) fix it with the 1TB, but then turned around & got rid of the gearbox level seep with the six speed box. From reports, the six speed box is an improvement, but its filling process is not so intuitive.

[SmithSwede]

Yeah.  And I am baffled as to why anyone would think a small  block Guzzi needed a 6 speed transmission.   

[sign216]

Yeah.  And I am baffled as to why anyone would think a small  block Guzzi needed a 6 speed transmission.   

SmithSwede,
My take is that it was done to keep up market expectations; everyone's using a 6sp, even though it's not needed w the broad torque range of the V750.

But...in designing the 6sp Guzzi did improve the transmission, esp the internal lubrication.  Remember how some of the 5sp bikes would whine in top gear?  And Guzzi formerly had a bad batch of top  gear that were improperly hardened on some bikes.

So in the end it's good (although I'm entirely happy w my 5sp).
Joe

[malik]

........Remember how some of the 5sp bikes would whine in top gear?  And Guzzi formerly had a bad batch of top  gear that were improperly hardened on some bikes.

So in the end it's good (although I'm entirely happy w my 5sp).
Joe

I don't remember hearing about that. If I did come across it, I would probably have ignored it, thinking that it couldn't possibly apply to me. Then while replacing the clutch in the 2014 Special, I found metal flakes in the gearbox. The teeth on the 5th gear dogs were losing the hardening. Seeing as there were no gears in the country & the cost of the primary was stupendous, & there being no gear whine, I just cleaned everything up & put it back together. 4,000km later I started getting a whine in 5th. It looks like I'll have to start looking for a reasonably priced 5th primary gear. And after replacing the bearings (because I could see them), it's shifting so smoothly too. Ah well...

[Muzz]

And Guzzi formerly had a bad batch of top  gear that were improperly hardened on some bikes.
Joe

Tell me about it!

[sign216]

Muzz, you know about this more than anyone else!

Malik, some riders report that even w whine, the gears last miles and miles.  So don't change anything until necessary. 

Joe

[malik]

Joe, was only planning to do it (or at least check it) at the next clutch replacement, probably in some 90,000km now. Unless, of course, should lots of metal start collecting on the drain plug. After the 1100 Sport, gear whine is not a particular concern.

[sign216]

Joe, was only planning to do it (or at least check it) at the next clutch replacement, probably in some 90,000km now. Unless, of course, should lots of metal start collecting on the drain plug. After the 1100 Sport, gear whine is not a particular concern.

Okay,
If anything bizarre happens, please let me know.
Joe

[malik]

Will do.