Torque for rocker cover (valve cover/cylinder head cover)

[chasod1]

Hi All,
I've recently purchased a 2013 motguzzi v7 (stone) - its my first motorbike and I'm loving it! :)

Unfortunately the bike has been dropped and and the RHS rocker cover is quite badly scratched.  I've managed to source a new one, but before removing the scratched one and replacing it, I wanted to confirm what I should torque the bolts to.

I've trawled the internet but can't find the info anywhere.

Any advice on what the torque is or where I could find out would be much appreciated.  Also any adive on where I could source a workshop manual would be great.

Many Thanks in advance
Charlie

[Kev m]

Most of those things I do just hand tight.

But when I get up later I'll check to see if I can find a spec in the factory manual.

[Cam3512]

I use a dab of anti seize and snug them up by hand.  Not too tight.

[chasod1]

brilliant thankyou.

I tried loosening them with an allen key and they were very tight and didn't loosen - that is what led me to think "mmmmmmm these are pretty torqued up, I should find out by how so I get it right when I put them back"

But from what you guys have said these should not be that tight.

It'll be interesting to see what the manul says - as I suspect mine may have been over enthusiastically tightened at some point

Thankyou again for your help with this

Charlie

[Kev m]

From the engine manual:

7 Internal Head cover screws M6x25 4 8-10 Nm (5.90-7.37 lbft)
8 Outer head cover screws M6x52.5 8 8-10 Nm (5.90-7.37 lbft)

So 71-88 inch lbs. / 5.90-7.37 ft. lbs. (8-10 Nm).

Or, like we said, hand tight.

[sib]

From the engine manual:

So 71-88 inch lbs. / 5.90-7.37 ft. lbs. (8-10 Nm).

Or, like we said, hand tight.

You beat me to it this time, Kev m.  It's absolutely amazing what one can learn by reading the manual.

[Wayne Orwig]

And have a fresh gasket on hand.

[Kev m]

And have a fresh gasket on hand.

Which you probably won't need AS LONG AS you have a spare handy. 

[chasod1]

Brilliant thx, I'm going to get me a factory manual! :)

Also, I've bought a new gasket so I shouldn't need one :)

Charlie

[Cam3512]

Brilliant thx, I'm going to get me a factory manual! :)

Also, I've bought a new gasket so I shouldn't need one :)

Charlie

Use the newer black ones that seem to be reinforced with metal.  VERY RE-usable!

[Chuck in Indiana]

brilliant thankyou.

I tried loosening them with an allen key and they were very tight and didn't loosen - that is what led me to think "mmmmmmm these are pretty torqued up, I should find out by how so I get it right when I put them back"

But from what you guys have said these should not be that tight.

It'll be interesting to see what the manul says - as I suspect mine may have been over enthusiastically tightened at some point

Thankyou again for your help with this

Charlie

Most amateur mechanics decide that if tight is good, *really* tight is better.  I had a BMW one time that the lock nuts on the valve train were all stripped. "Tighten her until she loosens, then back off 1/4 turn.." 

[fotoguzzi]

brilliant thankyou.

I tried loosening them with an allen key and they were very tight and didn't loosen -
Charlie

they have probably never been loosened since Luigi installed at the factory with an impact tool.

when you take them off make sure your hex tool is a good tight fit, then use a little shock to free. probably best done with a hex socket and wrench.

[Bill Hagan]

Most amateur mechanics decide that if tight is good, *really* tight is better.  I had a BMW one time that the lock nuts on the valve train were all stripped. "Tighten her until she loosens, then back off 1/4 turn.."

I like what John Zibell called it over on guzziteh.com: "wrench art."

Unfortunately, while there are some Michelangelos here, I, sigh, I am a Grandma Moses primitivist or, worse, paint-by-numbers sort of artist.   

Seriously, I think I have (nearly) acquired the knack of "feel," tho I still use a torque wrench to check myself on critical fasteners, and, occasionally, even have enough common sense to know that that the service manual is wrong, e.g., 25Nm on the Norge's fuel-pump gasket!

Bill

[Zinfan]

Just don't be like me and wonder why the cover won't come off.  I tapped it with my rubber mallet for a good minute before I realized I had only removed the four bolts you can see.  There are two others under the spark plug cover. 

[ClassicV7]

New gaskets and hand tightened.

[kevdog3019]

I have learned on a Guzzi block (aluminum) that too loose is better than too tight.  If I see a slight weep then I give it a bit more.  Cranking out the threads aint fun.  I like T-handles for the head cover bolts as I can feel things a little better for snugging and will be less likely to do damage.  Be careful. 

[sib]

Just don't be like me and wonder why the cover won't come off.  I tapped it with my rubber mallet for a good minute before I realized I had only removed the four bolts you can see.  There are two others under the spark plug cover.

That's another good reason to read the manual, ideally before starting the job.

[chasod1]

Hi all
Honestly, thank you so much for he advice.  The new cover arrived in the post today and I can now get it onto the bike knowing what I'm doing (sort of!😜)

Thanks
Charlie

[lazlokovacs]

it doesn't hurt to re-check the tightness after a couple of heat cycles either..

like others have said, hand-tight...