Author Topic: if this were my first Guzzi... (Read 3857 times)

motogoro · « **on:** August 02, 2016, 06:40:59 PM »

<grumble, grumble, grumble...>

So, I bought a low mileage '08 Cal Vin earlier this year. If this were my first Guzzi I'd be deeply disappointed.

It came to me with a broken taillight bracket. Not a problem. I "fixed" that with the Model A LED set-up. However, I do need to repair the bracket. The two rubber grommet holes are half circles and the taillight assembly rattles terribly.

In the saddlebags on the day of purchase were the following; half a case of Agip oil

, two spare valve cover gaskets

, a roll of paper towel and a t-shirt rag <hmmm,...>

Well, within 1,500 miles of ownership both existing valve cover gaskets started leaking badly. Both during hot days in stop and go traffic. Never had that happen on any other Guzzi I've ridden. I replaced them with the spares. The discards both had stretched, or torn, lower bolt holes. Assuming they were installed properly it appears the gaskets were sucked inward?
Does this make sense?

Now, another 1,500 miles down the road the left gasket is leaking again after arriving at work. sigh. Not a hot day, not stop and go. Snugged down all the bolts before leaving work. Had slight movement in the lower bolts holding the head guards. Got home with a very wet left footboard. Waiting for the bike to cool as I write this.

This time I'm replacing the gaskets with ones I ordered from MG Cycle. These appear to be metal reinforced not the thin and narrow spares.

If this were my first Guzzi experience I'd be ready to sell as I'm sure the previous owner felt.

See ya at the WI rally,
Steve M in SE WI

LowRyter · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2016, 07:07:37 PM »

Those valve cover gaskets give me fits. Even the silicone ones leak on my bikes on occasion.

Tom · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2016, 07:18:15 PM »

Use a glass top table to make sure the valve cover edges are flat and not warped.

dlapierre · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2016, 07:30:06 PM »

I've got an 08' Cal Vintage as well as an 08' 1200 Sport. Never had a leak problem with the Vintage but I was constantly replacing the left cylinder gasket on the Sport, until I installed the better one from...uh, I forget which of the southern US MG dealers. Anyway, no more leaks
on the Sport. These gaskets seem to be metal. They are worth the extra basic cost and price of mailing to Canada.

motogoro · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2016, 09:04:59 PM »

The valve cover lifted right off. Gasket was in pieces. Not using those again.

Will check the cover for warp after the rally. Thought about the head being warped as I was scraping the gasket away.

I do love my Guzzi's. That teething period to figure out the new kinks can be irritating.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2016, 09:12:58 PM »

I think I heard about someone putting Emory cloth on a sheet of glass and sanding a cover flat.

Muley · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2016, 09:31:05 PM »

not braggin' but just FYI. I don't think I've ever replaced the valve cover gaskets on my '98 EV but maybe once. They are made out of some sort of fiber similar to dense cardboard, but they just keep on going (and I remove the valve covers about every 3000 miles too!). Ditto for the oil pan gaskets. I use them over and over.

Now the oil leaking from the temp. sensor is another story

I think maybe a warp also, hopefully on the covers not the head

Cam3512 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2016, 10:37:16 PM »

5 years and 20K miles on my former '09 Calvin. Used the thicker green gaskets from MG Cycle. Not a drop of oil. Thin layer of grease on both sides, and don't over torque the valve cover bolts.

normzone · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2016, 11:21:51 PM »

>>>Use a glass top table to make sure the valve cover edges are flat and not warped<<<

Glass is within a few thou - use some machine shop's granite surface plate and a feeler gauge -

>>>I think I heard about someone putting Emory cloth on a sheet of glass and sanding a cover flat<<<

Been there, done that, works great. Of course, I learned wrenches with a drag strip winner who milled his dirt bike engine head down by running it back and forth across his garage floor.

rodekyll · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2016, 11:31:38 PM »

Quote from: normzone on August 02, 2016, 11:21:51 PM

[snipity]

I learned wrenches with a drag strip winner who milled his dirt bike engine head down by running it back and forth across his garage floor.

And yet you can't figure out that running problem on your cali?

Seriously -- light and even torque on those with maybe a little thread goober to keep them from backing off. I too use the green, thick ones. No problems. However I did have a green thick sump gasket blow between two holes with a spacer plate installation. I was going nuts trying to find the porous casting on account of it couldn't be the gaskets I just changed . . .

cwiseman · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2016, 03:29:08 AM »

Had the same problem on my CalVin, switched to silicone gaskets from realgaskets.com and never had a problem since.

Muzz · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2016, 07:21:59 AM »

My 03 Breva is completely oil tight. The gearbox main seal that leaked under warranty we will ignore.

guzzisteve · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2016, 10:22:41 AM »

Just look at the other Guzzi's in the garage that aren't leaking and get that kind. Most likely green in color or thicker red ones from 20yrs ago. The 976 PN ones are junk kind of grey & black.

ohiorider · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2016, 11:21:07 AM »

Quote from: Cam3512 on August 02, 2016, 10:37:16 PM

5 years and 20K miles on my former '09 Calvin. Used the thicker green gaskets from MG Cycle. Not a drop of oil. Thin layer of grease on both sides, and don't over torque the valve cover bolts.

The heavy green gaskets have worked well for me, too. I began using them a few years ago, and haven't had a cover gasket leak since.

Toecutter · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2016, 11:43:22 AM »

Quote

I do love my Guzzi's. That teething period to figure out the new kinks can be irritating.

To put it mildly.

Adk.IBO · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2016, 12:16:07 PM »

Boy can I relate...crap gaskets on my Norge soiled my Aerostitch horribly. Whoever has made (or sold) those things should be hung up by his or her toenails...

Tom · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2016, 12:51:36 PM »

I'll throw this in for the heck of it. When tightening up the bolts. Use a crossing pattern to install and final torque of the bolts. Taken for granted that everyone is doing that. Do not over tighten bolts. Use your favorite method. Torque or feel.

Idontwantapickle · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2016, 03:44:28 PM »

I can understand the op being frustrated with the issues but it's an 8 year old used Italian motorcycle.
Count your blessings!
Hunter

Tom · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2016, 03:55:21 PM »

A Loopframe is a good training tool for repair work and riding.

lazlokovacs · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2016, 07:07:19 PM »

On my Vintage, I'm currently using leaderprice cookie's (sic) packet sourced from local french supermarket and duly cut to size.

Sadly, they seem to outlast those horrible green flimsy ones that you get from guzzi today.

News:

Author Topic: if this were my first Guzzi... (Read 3857 times)