New member, new Bassa

[sib]

not really, probably the most common stripped bolt on a guzzi😄

Nah, that's got to be a crankcase drain plug (if you can consider that to be a bolt).

[rodekyll]

Nice bike, and you're treating it well.

A point for the sake of a point:  When you see your brake fluid level really low, get something and pry back the pads.  Now check the fluid level.  You may be looking at pad wear, not fluid loss.  Watching the fluid level can save you a scored rotor.

[voncrump]

Nice bike, I bet that the stripped threads were on the screws fitted to the crash protector. What happens is the protector is fitted using the original screws but the thickness of the protector shortens the engagement of the screw.Fix by fitting a longer screw or fitting an insert.
Cheers, Voncrump

[Rich A]

Secure or keep an eye on the fake chrome plastic trim, including the fuel injector covers (re-inforce the inner surfaces of those--they will crack). All of those plastic pieces are prone to disappearance and expensive or impossible to replace. Otherwise a solid dependable bike. Enjoy it.

Rich A

[John A]

It looks like there is only one throttle cable. There was a recall to add a return cable.if the engine backfires thru the intake, it can move the injector aft where the linkage will foul upon the air box and cause the engine to not go to idle, causing the operator to "wad the machine up" . Before you do the recall yourself, get a copy of the instructions, it's not as simple as adding the cable. You have to add the threaded hole in the drum housing as well.
What Rich A says is true, the chrome plastic pieces need to be watched. Working some clear RTV under them has worked well for me.

[Kiwi_Roy]

It looks like there is only one throttle cable. There was a recall to add a return cable.if the engine backfires thru the intake, it can move the injector aft where the linkage will foul upon the air box 

So that's what causes the throttle to stick half open, it happened to my EV and I couldn't figure it out.

One more thing to check,
Remove the gas filler cap and dribble a few drops of light oil into the filler moat drain, it's connected to a pigtail like pipe that exits under the tank to drip on the hot engine. Its quite common for it to rust up so that any water collecting in the tank recess runs directly into the tank next fill up causing it to rust and plug off the fuel filter. If the oil runs away it will coat the inside of the pigtail, if not drill it out using a length of inner cable in a drill.

[toukow]

You all bring up some interesting points-

I'm not bored. But let's see some pics in in her natural habitat - mountains, curvy roads, expansive views, etc. Time to go riding...

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. You guys actually ride these bikes? Hmmm.  I thought about taking her out during the inch of rain yesterday, but thought better of it as the FJR (w/ABS) is the dedicated rain bike. Your point is taken but that said, I do collect (in a very small way) and work on bikes as a hobby and ride every weekday, just not this bike. I do in a minor way regret not doing the work in the winter, but all you have to do is read horror stories of cardan joint failures, seized cush drives and associated damage, valves out of spec, etc. to decide to address the issues on a new used bike so that you can forget about them in the future. And yes, forums tend to emphasize things disproportionately to the probability of such issues.

And to your point- while working on this bike I only ran it for short periods to test some of the work. When I pulled the valve covers again the oil up top was a bit milky, and had less than 10 miles and 3 weeks on it after oil and filter change. One nice thing about air cooled is I didn't have to wonder about coolant. A guy at work said his air cooled KTM always has milky looking oil, but I've never seen this on my water cooled bikes. Do you guys tend to see milky oil residue under the valve covers, or don't you ever run them without doing an Iron Butt or the like after breakfast?

A point for the sake of a point:  When you see your brake fluid level really low, get something and pry back the pads.  Now check the fluid level.  You may be looking at pad wear, not fluid loss.  Watching the fluid level can save you a scored rotor.

The front pads were fine at about 50% or more of life remaining. The wear could account for the fluid loss as you note, and I hope that's the case, but wonder with only one hose compared to usual on the front reservoir? The rear rotor was out of spec and the pads gone, so they have been replaced. As noted by another, I think this was the first time the fluid was ever changed on the bike, though my Tuono fluid changes color about 12 mintues after you change it. It looked pretty bad both front and rear.

Nice bike, I bet that the stripped threads were on the screws fitted to the crash protector. What happens is the protector is fitted using the original screws but the thickness of the protector shortens the engagement of the screw.Fix by fitting a longer screw or fitting an insert.

That seems spot on, as buying 5mm longer bolts did solve the situation. It was the most forward and aft screws in the protector. I was trying to avoid the insert, but will do it if it comes to that.

including the fuel injector covers (re-inforce the inner surfaces of those--they will crack)

I have not addressed these, having thought that the issue is with plastic pieces and mine appear to be metal. I'll pull them off and try and reinforce them with JB Weld or the silicone at a minimum.

It looks like there is only one throttle cable. There was a recall to add a return cable.

I wondered about the single cable design, as I've never seen such a design before that I remember. It was part of the reason I replaced the throttle cable along with the clutch cable. I'll check on the recall with Moto International this week, as you're the first to mention it-thanks!

Thanks for the education everyone, Dean

[pebra]

I have to say that's one lucky bike!
Welcome, Dean!

[toukow]

I have to say that's one lucky bike!
Welcome, Dean!

Thank you Sir!

[Chuck in Indiana]

It looks like there is only one throttle cable. There was a recall to add a return cable.if the engine backfires thru the intake, it can move the injector aft where the linkage will foul upon the air box and cause the engine to not go to idle, causing the operator to "wad the machine up" . Before you do the recall yourself, get a copy of the instructions, it's not as simple as adding the cable. You have to add the threaded hole in the drum housing as well.
What Rich A says is true, the chrome plastic pieces need to be watched. Working some clear RTV under them has worked well for me.

Pay attention. This is what put John Lloyd (RIP, really good guy) under the dirt.  Apparently, the throttle didn't close when it should have. Mark at MGC still has the bike.. says he won't sell it.

[normzone]

" There was a recall to add a return cable.if the engine backfires thru the intake, it can move the injector aft where the linkage will foul upon the air box and cause the engine to not go to idle, causing the operator to "wad the machine up" "

I've not heard of that before. I believe I'll take a look down there.

[toukow]

Pay attention. This is what put John Lloyd (RIP, really good guy) under the dirt.  Apparently, the throttle didn't close when it should have. Mark at MGC still has the bike.. says he won't sell it.

I'll contact Moto International on the issue today. On the face of it in our litigious world, I'm surprised such a design was implemented. Was this approach used on other models? Only in 99? Just curious. I'll report back on the recall, perhaps in a separate post on the matter. Thanks, Dean

[normzone]

I have peered into the darkness and seen an apparent two cables at work, one when I open the throttle and another when I release it.

[Rich A]

As I recall, you need a somewhat odd-sized tap to install the return cable.

Rich A

[John A]

Yeah it was oddball and I ordered one . only time I will ever use it unless you want to roll by and do it here. I could loan it to you you'll have to remind me the size.

[pat80flh]

2000 Bassa here, and only one cable. Was there a recall? Is the 2000 a different system?

[Rich A]

Yes, there was a recall for the 2000 Bassa (I have one) for the return throttle cable.

Rich A