Guzziology - Disappointed

[Kev m]

But please together with Kev M.

  as we Pete or I could stay any better focused or on topic..... plus the language alone would get it burned in about 30 different countries.   

[Scout63]

I bought the book on the recommendation of a friend. It is invaluable in the rebuild of my G5 and a great winter read.

[Furbo]

Well, I'd say the OP made a valid point.  I got my copy in the mid 90's and my take was that basic maintenance and mechanical know how was already assumed credited to the reader. I found it invaluable in re-jeting my LM V and later Sport 1100 as well as figuring out that I needed to ditch the MotoPlatt ignition on my SPIII.  Refer to it alot still.  That said my "new" Guzzi is a '96 Carb Sport.....which will qualify for an antique tag next year......so.

If you really want an entertaining read, find the original 3 MGNOC "Tips for Guzzis" books. 

[Lannis]

This thread reminds me a bit of the three blind men describing an elephant, one of whom felt the trunk, one the side, and one the tail of the animal .... !       

Sound like the value of the book very much depends on what you want out of it, and what your interests in Guzzis are, and that everyone that has described it is correct, depending on what they do with Guzzis ....

I had an original, sold it, and have the 2014 version.   I don't use it a lot, but I'm glad I've got it.

Lannis

[MotoG5]

This thread reminds me a bit of the three blind men describing an elephant, one of whom felt the trunk, one the side, and one the tail of the animal .... !       

Sound like the value of the book very much depends on what you want out of it, and what your interests in Guzzis are, and that everyone that has described it is correct, depending on what they do with Guzzis ....

I had an original, sold it, and have the 2014 version.   I don't use it a lot, but I'm glad I've got it.

Lannisook

You sum up how I see it pretty well Lannis.
I have my old copy and it was used often during the years my wife and I rode the older bikes. Now days it still comes in handy. Out here in the great Guzzi desert where I live (Nebraska) and having ridden Guzzi for so many years I will get a call or visit from folks who need information or help with an older bike. Usually a case of one that has been picked up as a project or handed down in the family. My memory isnt what it used to be and some of the bikes are ones I didnt actually own or work on back in the day. So its my go to resource to jog my memory  or check out the model in question. 

[Dave Swanson]

Whenever I use my copy of Guzziology I am always amazed that one person was dedicated enough to pull off putting it together.  Guzziology is a treasure trove of information and a testament to Dave Richardson's work ethic.  An amazing creation in my opinion.  I am not worthy. 

[Testarossa]

Having rebuilt my 850T twice since 1983, and done some minor mods on the Mille, I can tell you this: The workshop manuals are indispensable but leave a lot of questions unanswered.  Just a few of the many issues Guzziology has resolved for me:

Gear selector return spring:  there have been three or four different versions over the years, in different wire gauges and different arm shapes. Which is the least likely to fail over the long haul, and how do I recognize it?

Brake mods: What different rotors will fit the bolt pattern on my old front wheel, and what combination of calipers and brake pads are compatible? What are the best combinations of caliper and master cylinder for my bike?

What damper cartridges fit my forks (the two bikes have different-length stanchions)? Which of the three or four OEM cartridges should be tossed, and which might be worth reusing? Which aftermarket cartridges will fit and what reputations have they earned?

Clutch disks: Half a dozen different brands on the market. Which are junk and which work well?

Upgrades to alternator stator and rotor: Which ones work for which electrical systems (Bosch vs Saprisa vs Ducati)?

Why does my "distributor" have two different bob-springs, and what are the different ignition timing issues for engines that look identical?

Dozens more questions answered in Guzziology. I prefer to research the answers myself when possible and pester the experts only in extremis. BTW there are maybe half a dozen real experts on this board, and it takes awhile to figure out who they are.

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^^ This.

If you really want an entertaining read, find the original 3 MGNOC "Tips for Guzzis" books. 

Those were the cause of many of (maybe most) of the bodges you see on old Guzzis.. 

[cliffrod]

^^^^^ This.Those were the cause of many of (maybe most) of the bodges you see on old Guzzis.. 

Funny to see this mentioned, because I almost posted this pic earlier today.





Never got the memo about Guzziology decades ago.  Just got a Haynes manual and a factory manual reprint and that was it. Got this MGNOC Tips book and a big stack of newsletters with a V1000 nearly 20 yrs ago.  Sure didn't use it much....  Seemed like so much in there was simply a way to get around fixing your bike the right way. 

Guzziology has been a good source of info since I got this loop, but I've spent more time on Greg Bender's site. 

[JC85]

^^^^^ This.Those were the cause of many of (maybe most) of the bodges you see on old Guzzis.. 

My dad got all three, way back when they came out, and they're currently sitting on a shelf in my shop! 

[s1120]

How much info is there in there for the later FI California bikes? I have a 02, and its on my list of things to get, and will one day just to have the guzzi background info.. But how handy is it for late Tonti bikes??

[Kev m]

How much info is there in there for the later FI California bikes? I have a 02, and its on my list of things to get, and will one day just to have the guzzi background info.. But how handy is it for late Tonti bikes??

ALMOST useless. I haven't re-read the thread, but I'm sure I posted in it originally. My wife bought me my copy when I had the Jackal. I'm not sure it ever answered a single question I needed.

I understand why some here find it so valuable on the OLD stuff. But the late-model is a totally different thing.

[Furbo]

Sure didn't use it much....  Seemed like so much in there was simply a way to get around fixing your bike the right way.   

There's some truth to that! Book #1 has some pretty far out stuff.  OTOH, in the mid 80's when my only source for parts was mail ordering (call, confirm part is available, send check, ...wait) from Mike Harper or Joe Eish, it was real sweet to know that the V regulator was available for $10 at Napa as a VW Beetle part and points could be ordered for a Fiat 850, etc...    In fact, I'm not certain Guzzi would have survived that period in the US market w/o the community of the MGNOC helping guys keep them on the road.

[AZRider]

How much info is there in there for the later FI California bikes? I have a 02, and its on my list of things to get, and will one day just to have the guzzi background info.. But how handy is it for late Tonti bikes??

I find Guzziology tremendously useful for EFI Tonti California’s. There’s a lot of good information on everything about those bikes. They were the bread and butter of Moto International’s customers, so Dave saw them evolve from new and his mechanics Micha and Jason wrestled many problems before the factory had answers, and came up with solutions for many things that the factory never acknowledged. They had enough customers to see nearly everything that can go wrong and often try several solutions until they found one that lasted. And they stayed with the brand for a decade after the last Tonti model was discontinued, so they saw what happens as those bikes aged.
Guzziology is a growing book, adding new information as Dave gathered it and wrote it down. Unknowns become known, “facts” get disproved, parts from newer models get cross-reference to older models (sometimes newer is an improvement, sometimes older versions were better), and what was the best solution one year gets replaced by a better solution if one becomes available. Even after Dave retired, he has kept updating things he didn’t have time to write while he was running the shop. My 2004 edition has much less for Late California’s than my 2014 edition. I am thinking of buying the newest version because the 2014 doesn’t have as much for the 8-valve 1200’s. Six more years of experience and revision is probably worth it to me.

[Cdn850T5NT]

Can someone let me know what the latest edition  no. is?

[Lannis]

Can someone let me know what the latest edition  no. is?

Version "9" came out in 2018, and I think that's the latest one.   But without actually asking the author, I don't know how to tell for sure.

Lannis

[Huzo]

But please together with Kev M.

If you like..

[wicks]

+1 on asking the forum. You can solve problems written nowhere. Such as you don't need to pull the trans to unhook a stuck clutch. :)

[Cdn850T5NT]

Version "9" came out in 2018, and I think that's the latest one.   But without actually asking the author, I don't know how to tell for sure.

Lannis

Thx. I was gifted that one for Christmas;  glad to know it's likely the latest one.

[Bulldog9]

I didn't buy a copy until I bought a Convert, as my oldest and primary bikes were CARC series bikes, and a V7ii.  I bought the Kindle version, makes for an easy word search.

In general, it is loaded with all the things you won't find in a tech manual. It is a goldmine of real world experience and information you won't find anywhere else.

[berniebee]

Version "9" came out in 2018, and I think that's the latest one.   But without actually asking the author, I don't know how to tell for sure.

Lannis

I ordered a copy a month ago and received version 9.

And I love it.  I do pretty well all my own work on my motor vehicles, but I'm new to Guzzis.  Besides bursting at the seams with tips and info, Richardson discusses at length many topics: Brake pads, integrated brakes, motor oils, fuels, suspension dampers, parts interchangeability and availability.   Of course, I've got a Haynes manual and a Guzzi service manual for the step by step stuff. My one criticism of Guzziology: Some of the drawings are laughably amateurish. There is a drawing of an oil seal on page 37 which looks like it was done on a 1980's Radio Shack computer. I guess if I squint my eyes, it kinda, sorta looks like...no it doesn't. But drawings aside, a really good book. 

[blackcat]

"If you really want an entertaining read, find the original 3 MGNOC "Tips for Guzzis" books."

I understand they are making it into a movie with Tom Hanks.
 

[lucky phil]

Seriously, anyone that whinges about Guzziology is the same sort of person that if they had a money tree growing their back yard would complain about having to water it.

Ciao

[pressureangle]

Good lord.

This group is becoming far too much like many other forums, where the entitlement is so complete that the noise overtakes the signal.

To disparage in any way Guzziology, or Dave's life work in assembling it, is asinine, foolish, and worthy of insult. Consider yourselves insulted.

Many of you think you can just 'come on here and ask any question'. Well, nobody owes you an answer. We answer your questions because we expect that there's some shared values; increasingly, I'm disappointed.

For the OP, if you'd have done even the tiniest amount of homework you'd have known what you were ordering. If you'd read the entire thing before posting, you'd have known what you were paying for. If you had any mechanical background of the sort one develops while trying to pay bills, you'd have found a proper service manual beforehand or at the same time.

[Kev m]

Seriously, anyone that whinges about Guzziology is the same sort of person that if they had a money tree growing their back yard would complain about having to water it.

Ciao

This analogy only works if the tree produced nothing but lire and cost more to water than it could produce.

[kirby1923]

I'm an aviator and in that,(aviation), we probably have some of the best manuals (essential) in the business of manuals.
Having said that, I always get what ever manual I can, to help with the struggle of ops and maintence.

I have found Guzziology very helpful and worth the price in the "sorting" of my old CX.

A complicated business...writing manuals.

:-)

[s1120]

I'm an aviator and in that,(aviation), we probably have some of the best manuals (essential) in the business of manuals.
Having said that, I always get what ever manual I can, to help with the struggle of ops and maintence.

I have found Guzziology very helpful and worth the price in the "sorting" of my old CX.

A complicated business...writing manuals.

:-)

Ive been in the auto game forever it seems...  Going from that to Guzzi I gotta say the manuals are pretty hit and miss. I have a few downloaded, and really have found little in print, and they still have holes in them. Im planning on getting a copy of Guzziology and hoping it fills some of those holes.

[Canuck750]

The first page of Guzziology states:

GUZZIOLOGY
A guide to Moto Guzzi
V-Twin Motorcycles -
designed to supplement existing
service manuals and parts references

David Richardson

Self-published by David Richardson
Seatlle, USA

That's pretty clear to me what the intent of Guzziology is.

Having used Version 7.0 for years I can say this, I sure wish there was a similar reference for Moto-Morini, Benelli, Laverda, etc....

[Furbo]

Having used Version 7.0 for years I can say this, I sure wish there was a similar reference for Moto-Morini, Benelli, Laverda, etc....

https://www.amazon.com/Laverda-Triple-Repair-Tune-up-Guide/dp/0979689104

"The Green Book", if you don't already have it is excellent for Laverda.  There's one page that list the sizes of all the bearings for the twins & triples.

[Canuck750]

https://www.amazon.com/Laverda-Triple-Repair-Tune-up-Guide/dp/0979689104

"The Green Book", if you don't already have it is excellent for Laverda.  There's one page that list the sizes of all the bearings for the twins & triples.

I have the Laverda Green Book, it is excellent but I don't think it has the amount of detail that Richardson has assembled.