Newbie. 2003 Guzzi Stone

[johnlanguab]

Hey guys,

I'm a newbie. I've been trolling on here for a little while as I enjoy having things a little different than other folks, hence the Guzzi.

Anyway, I've put a deposit on a 2003 Guzzi Stone w/ ~2600 miles. Odometer works, so should be actual mileage. The recall hasn't been done on the lifters, and I don't know about the clutch yet.

Did any Stone models have the dual plate clutch? Too, I'm trying to verify with the dealer that the recall can be completed prior to closing the deal.

Any insight or input from you experts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Welcome to WG.  ;D
I'm far from an expert, but... I'd be *very* cautious about spending real money on it without the recalls being done. The kits are almost unobtainium, now.

[fotoguzzi]

get deposit back if they can't do the recall.. and who will be doing it if they do? do you trust them?

[Chuck in Indiana]

I was at Marks (MGC) yesterday when a nice guy came in with a "sporty" T3. Rear sets, cosmetically very good looking, etc. He'd bought it sight unseen from the east, had it shipped out, and had put 150 miles on it, roughly. Head torque was maybe 10 lbs. Valves were tight. Pressurizing the sump. Timing *way* off. One set of points at about .060". No doubt still had the chrome cylinders. We were thinking blown head gasket on one side, burnt valves on the other. Possibly peeling chrome. Rear main leaking badly which may or may not stop when the cylinders are fixed. He'd paid a premium price for it...
Just saying. Know and trust who last worked on it.

[rodekyll]

It depends on the price., miles, and condition.  All the above comments are true, and if you've been lurking, you've read about the possible horrific damage caused by the cam failure.  I saw a partial kit on ebay (didn't have the tools without which it's half-useless) for $400.  Back when I was buying the kits they came complete with tools for about $125.  So the cost of getting the recall done is going to be more than you expect, if it's doable with the current world supply of kits.  If you can't get the mothership to pay for the recall it could run you well over $1000, and depending on the damage, upwards from there.  Some folks have tossed the engine completely in favor of solid lifter variants to get around the problem. 

My best advice (as a hydro owner/wrench) is that if you don't feel competent to do the labor yourself, and if you don't have access to a GOOD shop to do it, pass on the bike.  There are more out there, almost all with the recall done.

I have both versions of the engine.  I prefer the hydro.

[davedel44]

I have 2004 Stone with dual clutch
Dave
Galveston

[johnlanguab]

Thanks for all the input. I'll keep y'all posted. I asked the Guzzi dealer to give me assurances that the recall could be done prior to closing the deal. Maybe I'll hear from this week.

[fotoguzzi]

I know at least 5 good dealers I'd praise and one dealer I'd not recommend but you don't give your location...

[krglorioso]

My 2003 Stone Touring came with the dual plate clutch.  Very easy to determine which this bike has.  Use the Search function on this forum to learn how to tell after the rubber inspection plug has been pried from the clutch housing on the right side, above the footrest.  Or, you can post a photo of what's inside the hole; we'll tell you. I'm uncertain, but I believe the black wrinkle finish engine/gearbox bikes had the single plate clutch and the satin black later versions had the dual plate clutch as standard equipment.  Without the recalls, I'd not pay over $2000 for this bike.  Note: It is not safely rideable without the hydro recall sorted.  Riding a non-updated hydro can really damage the engine.

I also have a 2004 Stone Touring (having two really assures bragging rights).  The hydros are great engines, once sorted.  IMHO, Guzzi made a large mistake not keeping the hydro design on subsequent models.

Ralph

[cookiemech]

My 2003 Cal Aluminium just had its cam/lifters update done over the winter at Europa Macchina, near Harrisburg, PA. From the sounds of it, the owner (Lori) had quite a time of it convincing Piaggio to approve the job. (They ultimately did, and the bike runs beautifully!)

So even if your dealers says, yeah, we'll do it, you'd better have it in writing, because even the dealer's best intentions won't help if Piaggio won't pay for it. I doubt any dealer wants to eat $1000 - $2000 on this deal.

My opinion.

[scra99tch]

Who's to say if your somewhat savvy mechanically that you couldn't have the problematic parts heat treated to the proper hardness?

Or was it something else that the recall addressed?

[rodekyll]

The cam was redesigned with different/more oil ports.  There were different valve springs and seats.  The toolkit is needed to avoid an R&R and teardown, and the lifters can't really be set up without the special lifter slug for making the adjustment.

There might be more that I don't remember off-hand.

[johnlanguab]

I decided to punt on the Guzzi. I'm keeping my eyes open for another.

[rodekyll]

I know that's a difficult choice to make, but unless you're able and willing to take on the fixes yourself, you're making the right decision.  There are more sorted than unsorted hydros out there (on account of the unsorted ones have all grenaded or sat for the last 10 years), and since they have such a bad rep, they can be had for fewer $$/lb than their solid-lifter siblings. 

Don't give up on the *right* hydro though.  They perform better down low, and with the efi and lifters, engine maintenance is a matter of gapping plugs periodically and changing the oil.  No dizzy/points/valve lash/carb synch to do on a regular basis.

[johnlanguab]

I've tentatively worked a deal with a 1998 V11 as seen in the classifieds on the main page. I'm pretty excited about it.

Any other words of advice regarding a 98?

I intend to pick it up Friday.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've tentatively worked a deal with a 1998 V11 as seen in the classifieds on the main page. I'm pretty excited about it.

Any other words of advice regarding a 98?

I intend to pick it up Friday.

Yep. Ride it hard.  ;D