Trouble on a road trip, seeking advice

[eljayski]

2023 V7 Special.



Rode 475 miles today

Rode 475 miles today.



Rode 475 miles today.        Earlier today, at about 1500 total miles, I noticed oil spots under the bike

Inspection revealed oil behind the cylinders from apparent seepage. Just started today

Problem will be attended to under warranty

Here's the question, can I keep riding the 1100 or so miles to get home without worry?   

Or should the oil level be topped off?

Otherwise, bike is running fine.

Thank you for input, eljayski

[tris]

The bike is leaking oil so there are grounds for worry

However if it was me I'd ride home but make VERY regular stops to check that the seepage hadn't turned into a gusher

[normzone]

Check it cold - checking it prematurely hot may lead you to adding oil that it will burp out next hot/cold cycle.

The bike will seek it's natural level - if you ride it hard it will burp a little. Find where it settles at when it's cold. If it's not too far off from whatever the factory marks are, don't worry about it - that's the appropriate level.

I'm certain that others who know more than I do will be along shortly, but this philosophy has served me well for a couple of hundred thousand miles.

[chuck peterson]

 “but this philosophy has served me well for a couple of hundred thousand miles….”

Just a couple, huh? Guzzi’s do that to you, don’t they?

To the OP…common thought is the oil level will settle halfway on the marks, so generally fill to that and save the 1/2 quart for later. Cold, (oops, check it after 10 min ride) standing straight up…some models you don’t screw in the stick, some you do…I’ve lost track

Where and how much it’s leaking is important to us guessing what the problem is…bottom of the cylinder, top, front, back?

Check early and often should get you home, carry some oil…femine hygiene products from the pharmacy can stop the flow if it’s getting to be too much

On my first Convert, the rear main was leaking, a lot, like a pie plate sized oil puddle would drop out of the bell housing every time I pulled off the interstate to a stop. Now that’s a leak…got home and out and about until I could tear it apart. It had been sitting in a garage for a decade or more before I put it into service. That’s not likely in your case on a new bike

Recheck how you should be reading the stick w your model (screw in, not screw in) and keep it halfway between the marks. Check it often and watch for a gusher. You should be fine (crossing fingers)

[eljayski]

Thanks to you all!

I rode it pretty hard yesterday, Denver to Grand Junction on I-70 at freeway speeds with some upgrade stop and go due to traffic congestion. During the congestion I thought I smelled 'hot.'  This was before I noticed the seepage, fwiw. Not as far to travel today with no interstate so I can ride more gently.

Will post updates.

[elrealistico]

Basics--check the airbox for oil, breather hoses, any other loose stuff under and around the rear of the cylinders

[Vagrant]

Odds are it's just one of the rubber gaskets for the rocker mounting screws. One guy reported he found a screw was too long and bottomed out so it didn't seal on the gasket. Simple to check.
And FYI, all modern Guzzi's get the oil checked after a ten minute ride.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Yes, check the oil when warm on your 2023 V7. My 2022 has no problem maintaining oil just below the max line, it does not seek its way to the center of min and max.
Keep an eye on the oil level, carry some to top it off if needed, and degrease the engine so you can be sure of where it's coming from.

[Bulldog9]

I would continue the trip without much worry.

Keep your eye on how much is leaking, and see if you can find where from, and monitor your level.

Are we talking dime nickel quarter size?

[eljayski]

dime size or smaller

[John A]

Run it, fix it at home

[eljayski]

I rode the bike around northern Arizona pretty gently for a couple days, temperatures mid 80s max, and no leaks. Just got to Grand Junction and the leak is back. Low to mid 90s much of the day and I didn't ride too hard, mostly 65 or so. Home tomorrow and visit to dealer asap thereafter.

[Moparnut72]

Back in the day a dime sized drip would be cause for celebration. The modern motorcycle community has an obsession with completely oil tight machines. You would be surprised how little oil it takes to make a dime sized spot.
kk

[T607]

V7 Special owner in Grand Junction here. Too bad I missed you yesterday, we could have met and talk MG Well, maybe another time. Do you come to the Western Slope often? Great riding area. BTW, which shop do you use in Denver?

[eljayski]

Made it home in one piece, thankfully. To the dealer as quickly as I can get an appointment. Verdict, V7 is fabulous back road ride but isn't ideal for long, interstate ventures. Next challenge is to do a similar ride on the Mandello. T607, I'll send you a PM when I get to a real keyboard.