Good news for 8V owners.

[pete roper]

One of the most vexing things with the 8V motors is the fact that the front main bearing is a split bearing pressed into the case itself and is therefore 'Not a service item'. This effectively means that the factory wants you to buy a new crankcase if you damage the front main.

Now Ron in Queensland got in contact with King Bearings who he has dealings with for aeroplane/helicopter stuff and they were singularly disinterested in trying to help find a solution!

Anyway while buggering about with the 1400 motor I grabbed the old 1200 crank and a front main off one of the earlier 2V engines. Well surprise, surprise, journal sizes and clearances are exactly the same. The only difference is the case isn't machined for the bearing. All the bosses for bolts etc. are there though so it looks like all that needs doing is machine the inner face of the timing chest to suit the bearing depth, drill the bolt holes and get the feed gallery to line up.

Obviously getting alignment right will be critical but you can get the X and Y coordinates off the rear main and sorting the depth won't take a lot. It'll Aldo mean we can sort three undersizes for both front and rear mains and crankpin if needs be! WIN!

Pete

[oldbike54]

 Pete , sometimes you amaze us . This info will save lots of money for 8V owners .

 Dusty

[pete roper]

Look, the parts and machining of the case and fixings will probably rival the cost of a new case BUT once that work is completed you're back to the point of having three under-grinds for the journals and no need for a new crank if there is journal damage.

The reason why they went to the new system would of been purely cost. Fewer machining operations, simpler installation, lower component cost but it isn't 'Owner Friendly' if you're wanting to ride the machine as something other than a 'Disposable item'. There is no reason an 8V need be any less durable than an old Loop or Tonti, what man has made man can make again. It's just working ways around the 'Disposable Culture' mindset which I detest.

Pete

[oldbike54]

 Yeah , same here mate . Sometimes seems we can't have modern tech W/O the modern idea of "throw it on the rubbish heap and buy a new one" . That's why guys like you are so important , figuring out ways to fix what wasn't designed to be fixed .

 Dusty

[Huzo]

And you wonder why the bloody hell people put you on a pedestal Pete !!! Sorry if it shits you to tears, but some of us would be rooted or pay through the nose without your expertise. Thanx on behalf of the 8V crowd. (Poor bastards)

[pete roper]

Nobody should 'Put me on a pedestal'. I'm just 'Some bloke'. I just happen to be passionate about Guzzi and particularly the CARC bikes. That's all.

Pete

[Huzo]

 :bike-037:d

Nobody should 'Put me on a pedestal'. I'm just 'Some bloke'. I just happen to be passionate about Guzzi and particularly the CARC bikes. That's all.

Pete

Yeah point taken Pete, I/we accept that, but thanks for sharing your knowledge or making us the recipients. Anyway no more of that... Hope you ask for help if you ever need it and am able to. BTW, what's the wash up with your young bloke ?

[nobleswood]

Alright, scratch the 'put you on a pedestal ' bit.  But certainly buy you a few beers

 

[oldbike54]

 Thing is Pete , we know you are a cantankerous old goat , but you are OUR cantankerous old goat 

 Dusty

[flip]

Pete, if you were with Gilligan and the gang on that 3 hour tour, you'd have found a way to fix the boat and get them off of that island in the first season!

[bigbikerrick]

Pete, if you were with Gilligan and the gang on that 3 hour tour, you'd have found a way to fix the boat and get them off of that island in the first season!

Now thats a cool analogy!!
Rick.

[wymple]

Yup, as long as the boat was Italian.....

[Huzo]

Yup, as long as the boat was Italian.....

With a V shaped hull

[pauldaytona]

I suppose they had the 2v norge engine on the drawing board when they started the 4v engine. So that the base mold is the same is no surprise. Evolution instead of revolution.

[Rough Edge racing]

Look, the parts and machining of the case and fixings will probably rival the cost of a new case BUT once that work is completed you're back to the point of having three under-grinds for the journals and no need for a new crank if there is journal damage.

Pete

 I believe the cost in the USA to have the case line bored/reamed by a competent auto machine shop would be in the $250-$400 range depending on the jigging required..

[Diploman]

Down with Disposable Culture!!  Up with Pete!!