Author Topic: Loose triples on V65SP (Read 2833 times)

Danleym · « **on:** January 28, 2018, 08:10:20 PM »

I tried a quick search, but frankly I'm not even sure the right thing to search to narrow this down.

For starters, I'm fairly new to motorcycles. Always done all my own work on cars (including full restorations), but bikes are a new world and I've definitely got a lot to learn about the bike specific stuff. That said I feel comfortable doing all the work, just have a bit to learn.

So, I've had my 1984 V65SP for a little over a year, its my first bike. 27,000 miles, had been sitting in a barn for a while before I got it. It has been more reliable than expected, but I'm slowing working though a lot of the stuff you'd expect when getting something on the road that's been sitting a while. A couple months ago (with little riding since), the gauge cluster began vibrating excessively, so much that I couldn't read the gauges at speed. Then I noticed a couple of the screws holding the windscreen in place had disappeared. Got to tearing it down tonight and find the space between the triples has apparently opened up a touch, allowing space for the mount for the gauge cluster (which sits on the forks between the triples) to vibrate.

So I think all I need to do is cinch the tries back together a bit. Problem is, I don't know how to do that. Anyone able to walk me through that? Is there anything else I should be concerned about or look for while I've got her stripped down a bit?

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2018, 08:15:13 PM »

Pics might help, is the steering stem nut loose? I can't quite understand your problem tho..

rodekyll · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2018, 08:19:14 PM »

Those smallblocks have different head bearing arrangements than what I'm familiar with, but it reads like you've got a loose steering post for some reason. My guess would be either the post nut has gotten loose or the bearings are going away, but I'd for sure get some input from a smallblock owner before simply cinching it down. Someone who knows better will be along shortly. If it was my bike I'd park it until I knew what was going on.

Danleym · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2018, 08:31:55 PM »

Yeah, I was kind of worried about something like that. With no clue if they've ever been replaced, maybe I should just dive in and replace the bearings...

The bike is definitely parked until I figured this out.

guzzisteve · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2018, 08:38:28 PM »

You got a book?

http://www.guzzitek.org/gb/ma_us_uk/V35V50V65Atelier_041983(GB).pdf

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2018, 08:54:43 PM »

get info here,
http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_small_blocks.html

SED · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2018, 10:22:21 PM »

Welcome to WG! Would love to see pictures of your bike. I think the V65SP is the best early small block. (though Monza best looking

)

Biggest worry (as has been said) is that the bearings are going or their play has opened up. Small blocks of that vintage have loose balls like old bikes and bicycles. You check them like you do on a bicycle.

If the bearings are loose you may be able to feel it by rolling the bike forward and grabbing the front brake and feeling a clunk. More sensitive check is to jack the bike up so the front wheel is off the ground and then stand in front facing the bike and pull up on the front wheel. Movement at the steering stem (put your thumb and forefinger at the joint between the head tube and the upper and lower triple clamp) will tell you if the bearings are loose.

If the bearings are loose, pull the fork and check the balls and races - early small-block head bearings have a bad reputation for wearing because the bearing races were chromed and the chrome chips and wear the balls quickly (De Tomaso stupid

). And there seemed to be a grease shortage at the factory. The balls are 3/16" (not metric) and you can get them at a bearing supplier, some hardware stores and all bicycle shops. Load them with lots of grease.

Note - there is a popular retrofit of new cups to hold roller bearings that last almost forever. Ed Millich sells them on ebay.

The technique for getting the bearing play right is to start with tire off the ground and loose clamp bolts on the upper triple clamp (on the fork stanchions and on the steering stem nut with eagle). Loosen the steering eagle nut so that you can detect play in the bearings when lifting the front wheel. Tighten the steering nut until the play is nil and then tighten the pinch bolts for the steerer and stanchions. Then turn the bars side to side slowly. They should not bind or drag or feel rough. Too tight is worse than just a little loose provided you clamp the pinch bolts!

The other places you may detect play are loose axle or brake calipers and play between the fork stanchions and their lowers (unlikely).

If the head bearings are not loose and the rest is secure then it is either the fairing mount on the stanchions which is pinched between the triple clamps (with rubber bushings top and bottom) or the attachment of the fairing to its mount.

Lots of V65 have been customized with clip-on bars and clamp-on fairings that may change the details of this.

Send pictures!

SED · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2018, 10:34:56 PM »

BTW - I've not been able to find a V65SP parts book - if you find one, let me know. Years are 1981(?) to about 1985 - after that they seem to change.

The V50III book may be the closest except for the bodywork, engine, transmission, forks and swing arm

V65C engine should be the same, and probably the trans and swingarm too. Bodywork, forks, wheels and maybe frame are different.

V65 Lario may have the same forks, but the frame, bodywork, engine and trans are different.

Danleym · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2018, 10:35:08 PM »

Let's try for a picture or two. You might be stuck with ones with some ugly dude sitting on the bike- try to not let that take away from the bike itself. Also, one of my kid learning about the important things in life. Apparently thise are the only two I have on my phone right now, need to fix that...

my photo upload on internet

And yes, for you with a good eye, that's an AMC Spirit in the background in the garage.

Danleym · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2018, 10:44:14 PM »

As far as a parts catalog, this is what I've found.
http://www.motointernational.com/parts-catalogs-moto-guzzi
I actually have a paper copy that the previous owner provided with the bike- identical to this, not sure their source.

Thanks to everyone for the replies- with a little more digging i can tell for sure that the top rubber caps between the fairing mount and headlight mount are definitely worn and need replaced. Haven't had a chance to jack it up and try to check for play. Part of me is of a mind to replace them either way- 34 year old bike, surely there's some wear there...

Thanks also for the link to the shop manual, I hadn't found that one yet. Should be a huge help.

pete roper · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2018, 04:08:59 AM »

If it's an '84 model and the steering head bearings have never been done I'd suggest that 34 years is way past the time to of done it and while the description is a bit vague buggered steering head bearings is what it sounds like to me........

Pete

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2018, 06:04:33 AM »

The only parts manual I have is the V65 GT, and it shows traditional bearings. At any rate, Pete's right..take the front end apart and inspect/lube/replace as necessary what you have.
Oh, and from memory

always dangerous with me.. the V65 Lario has roller bearings.

John A · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2018, 07:44:53 AM »

Be damn careful with the Kid around the motorbike, it can kill or injure if it falls on him and those V65's will fall over if you look at them funny. The center stand is a little better than the sidestand which is a piece of deviltry.

Danleym · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2018, 08:02:52 AM »

Previous owner removed the sidestand, so all I've got is the center. From what I hear I'm not missing much.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2018, 09:27:50 AM »

Quote from: Danleym on January 29, 2018, 08:02:52 AM

Previous owner removed the sidestand, so all I've got is the center. From what I hear I'm not missing much.

You hear right.

If you have the tools and skills, it's about a 2 hour job to pull the calipers, front wheel, fairing, fork legs, and take apart the triple. I'm *assuming* you'll have tapered roller bearings. Clean, inspect, pack, put it all back together. If they are actually loose balls like the V50s, at least one will fall out and roll into a parallel dimension, never to be seen again. Fortunately, your local hardware store will have them.
These things are simple to work on..

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2018, 09:45:43 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on January 29, 2018, 09:27:50 AM

You hear right.
If you have the tools and skills, it's about a 2 hour job to pull the calipers, front wheel, fairing, fork legs, and take apart the triple. I'm *assuming* you'll have tapered roller bearings. Clean, inspect, pack, put it all back together. If they are actually loose balls like the V50s, at least one will fall out and roll into a parallel dimension, never to be seen again. Fortunately, your local hardware store will have them.
These things are simple to work on..

The V65SP originally had loose ball steering head bearings.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2018, 07:58:30 AM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on January 29, 2018, 09:45:43 AM

The V65SP originally had loose ball steering head bearings.

Thanks, Charlie..

Devildog · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2018, 04:38:03 PM »

Mine tipped off the center stand, she was sideways to a very slight gradient, I was kneeling on the high side and caught her, it was a big surprise.

Bluerobotz · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2018, 02:09:57 AM »

Nice bike!

Get a set of these, with the respective bearings and have it done with:

http://guzzipower.com/store/Smallblockbearing.html

pete roper · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2018, 02:14:21 AM »

Ed sells good stuff for smallblocks.

Tom · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2018, 05:22:25 PM »

Race proven.

News:

Author Topic: Loose triples on V65SP (Read 2833 times)

pete roper

pete roper