09 Stelvio

[severely]

Just got her, LOVE IT, but have a question. My rear shock preload adjustment is at minimum and the spring still has a lot of tension on it. Yes set screw has been loosened. My ride seems a little harsh and would like less rear preload on spring. What am I missing or is this normal. Thanks in advance.

[pmillar]

Do you have any idea whether or not it's the oem spring?  It may have been changed out for a higher (stiffer) rate.  Regardless, have you tried checking the sag with you on the bike? That's the best way to tell if it's oversprung for your weight, oem or not.  Then you move on to damping (if adjustable.)

[pete roper]

Has it been rollerised? That is the most important question followed by have its swingarm bearings and shock linkage been greased? If they haven't do that and drop the shock and work on it on the bench.....

Pete

[severely]

Don't know about stock spring or not. How could one tell? color? Factory recall on cam/followers was performed according to MG records. Haven't been able to have anyone tell me if this means rollerized or just a flat tappet/cam replacement. As always I'm seeking enlightenment. Just got the swingarm seals to do bearings/linkage/driveshaft lube, next on the agenda. Thanks again.

[pete roper]

The 'Recall' was a swap from chilled cast iron flat tappets to forged steel tappets with a DLC coating. It didn't fix the problem. If you want to confirm? Whip off a rocker cover and just have a look. The rollers and flats are quite different in appearance, (Plenty of pics here if you search.). If your bike still has flats it is imperative you fix it ASAP. Unfortunately, as an '09 your bike will require a 'C' kit which will mean the cylinder heads need to come off. Failure to do this could cost you your engine.

Pete

[severely]

Does this problem give any warning signs such as increased noise/valve clearances, metal flaking in valve lifter area, etc. I am somewhat reluctant to spend 1/2K on a problem that doesn't exist at this point in time. Been thinking about oil analysis at change intervals to track potential wear. Still looking for some info on the rear shock as far as preload/tension, nitrogen charge/oil. Thanks again.

[pete roper]

By the time the damage is detectable by oil analysis it's way, way too late. The longer you leave it the greater the risk of bottom end damage. As mentioned elsewhere I've done about 85-100 rollerisations now and of those three have run their bottom ends afterwards due to particulate damage which appears to be flakes of DLC which are visible embedded in the shells, one of those bikes was mine! 

If you look at the Rollerisation of the 8V thread you'll find a list of parts you'll need if you want to avoid buying the much more expensive 'C' kit and substituting a 'B' kit with extra parts instead.

Lots more info and posts of other peopl's experiences over on the Griso Ghetto as well.

The problem is that until all, or almost all of the DLC has abraded the valve clearances don't really change and the engine isn't noisy. Make no mistake though it is failing. Checking is easy enough, even on a small tank Stelvio the left hand cambox is easily removed for inspection. There's a video of me doing just that in the Rollerisation thread somewhere.

Pete

[pyoungbl]

Severly, I rollerized my '12.  The clearances were not changing and I had no symptoms of a problem.  My oil analysis, done at each oil change since new, did not show significant metal.  Still, when I pulled the lifters it was clear that the DLC had worn off and my lifters were metal to metal with the cams.  Now, about 10K miles later, the bike seems to be running just fine.  I am convinced that I dodged a bullet, and not by much.  The kit cost me $1K and labor was another $400.  The option would have been a new engine after mine ate itself so my investment seems to have been the smart thing to do.   You can send in oil samples but unless you do that at about 500 mile increments you will probably not catch the real damage in time.


Do you feel lucky?

Peter Y.

[severely]

Thanks for the information, gives me a lot to think about.

[severely]

Just finished with the rollerization last week,many thanks to Pete Roper and Harpers. My followers were just beginning to show metal in a couple areas, runs good. Did the swingarm/linkage/steering bearings lube while I was waiting for parts. Now back to my original question. My rear shock is a little stiff on small bumps and I'd like to soften it, problem 1 the preload is backed off all the way and there is still considerable tension on the spring. Is this normal, am I doing something wrong or maybe I'm missing something? Thanks in advance.

[Dilliw]

Severley I have no idea on your rear shock but you are a great Guzziti!  No complaints on the rollers just got it done...

[Lannis]

Severley I have no idea on your rear shock but you are a great Guzziti!  No complaints on the rollers just got it done...

A little bit of recreational moaning about a problem like the 8V tappets can be good for one's mental state ... 

I had the exact opposite problem with my '09 Stelvio shock.    At 15,000 miles, the spring was noticeably weaker .... And when Fay and I rode home from Nova Scotia with 19,000 on the clock, the spring was completely bottomed out ... we were standing up for every bridge seam.

I was under the impression (from my experience plus the experience of a lot of people on here) that the Stelvio spring and shock was terribly weak.   Can't imagine the preload being backed all the way off and the spring STILL too hard!

A Guzzitech-supplied shock solved my problem, and still going strong ....

Lannis

[pauldaytona]

stock spring is red

[Tkelly]

This may sound odd but tighten it.Works for me.

[Kiwi Dave]

Preload does not change the rate of the spring.  If it's too hard, then a spring replacement is required.

Strangely enough, most "experts" say Guzzis are undersprung and over damped.  Personally, I have little issue with stock springs, and can adjust the dampening.

[Dilliw]

Do you have less than 30mm sag with no preload and just you on board?  I've never had problem!   

[severely]

I understand preload has no effect on spring rate and my problem may have more to do with compression damping than spring rate/tension , since there is no compression damping adjustment I was trying to use what is available. I can also live with a little more sag than proper, if the suspension is a little more compliant. We have some bad road conditions here and where I plan to go and would like the suspension tuned a little more softly. Is the preload adjuster supposed to remove ALL tension from the spring? If not then how is the spring removed/changed? Anyone change springs, modify damping or R+R shock? Thanks again.

[severely]

Thanks DilliW, as an owner of a 71 Ambassador {chrome cylinders} I'm aware of the diligence needed to own a Guzzi. Let me get this straight, NO ONE knows how to reduce rear spring preload/and or remove spring? WOW

[Lannis]

Anyone change springs, modify damping or R+R shock? Thanks again.

I changed springs and spacers on the front forks on my 09.   The rear spring was completely sacked out - regardless of preload setting, it bottomed to the stop two-up.   So I replaced the whole unit with a Penske one, since I also suspected the damping ability of the shock.

I since scrapped the stock unit so I don't know from personal experience how it comes apart.   Sounds like nobody knows, maybe.   Perhaps there's no reason to just replace the spring on the OEM units ... ?    You could be the first ....

Lannis