V7 Classic - 200,000km

[malik]

Back home from the last trip, during which the V7C passed the 200,000km mark - now at 201,050km.

Annoyingly, after passing 199,999 the odometer shows only -----.  Somewhat of an inconvenience.







The bike is still running well, better than ever since changing the TPS & balancing the throttle bodies. The neutral light on the dash doesn't work very often, nor does the direction indicator light. The sidestand still tends to work itself down if the lube isn't kept up to it, and the clutch has started to slip again (oil in the bell housing - mostly likely from a failed clutch pushrod seal).

The best changes to stock have been -
The aftermarket exhaust - Staintunes freed up the midrange - since replaced by the Agostinis with Ago's S/S headers.
The Gazi rear shocks.
The 21L metal fuel tank.
Then, the cafe seat, the rear sets & Jota-style bars. They work for me.

[MMRanch]

Malik

Thanks for the tip on how  " long a life "  I might expect out of my V-7II . 

I'm only (11,000 miles) - still on my second rear tire

[oldbike54]

 

 Dusty

[Huzo]

Wow..!
I have 200;000 a landmark goal on my Norge, that is impressive.

[malik]

You know how it goes, Huzo - first give up that work lark.

[Huzo]

You know how it goes, Huzo - first give up that work lark.

Yeah mate I know, but that is a big number.
How long have you had the bike and how did you just do so much in such a relatively short time ?
I do some major trips on my Norge and I am way behind you.
Granted I rode 70,000 on my Triumph Sprint ST concurrently, but you are up in I T Sec type stuff...
BTW
Your bike has that “been there done that” look...
I’ve seen it in things like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Strat and Mark Knopfler’s Les Paul.
It’s a look of quiet achievement that is there but understated. I’m impressed how you have made such an achievement without fanfare...
Hmmmm.... (maybe a lesson in there..)
Any danger of some more shots ?

[SmithSwede]

Well done!  Congratulations.   So what can you do about the speedometer?   Can it be re-jiggered somehow, or must you replace it?

I don’t understand the logic behind stopping the count at 200,000x.   It’s a digital device.   

[chuck peterson]

 

 

Love the bike! Has that well worn but gracefully aged patina

[jwinwi]

Good on ya!

[Huzo]

You know how it goes, Huzo - first give up that work lark.

Careful big guy, you are not allowed to use dirty four letter words that end in “k” on WG.

[Huzo]

 

Love the bike! Has that well worn but gracefully aged patina

So do and well said...
I just wish they had 2 front discs, but that is not a criticism. Seems like he is more interested in going forward than stopping anyway.

[Red]

Excellent!  Thanks for sharing. You would think the ODO would start fresh. Or "see your Dealer" 

[Chuck in Indiana]

*Everybody* knows those small blocks won't hold up for the long haul..  
 
One of the places that the small block isn't superior to the big block  is that pushrod seal. I assume you know that and that's why it leaks.. 

[malik]

I got it new in October 2010, Huzo. A couple of day trips & it was ready for the first service (before a week was out). Things just went on from there.

Here's a snap of it back in 2013





But riding around Oz (30,000km) in the company of the 21L tanked Special, inspired me to get cracking of the tank conversion. 450-500km is a much more reasonable range.







A new dash is northwards of $1000, so not a reasonable option. I've seen used ones (all overseas) from E300 - better, but not really. -there's also the freight cost . I intend trying to chase up some of the few people over here who fiddle with auto instruments - one recommended guy has retired, so that one is out. I suppose it depends on the EPROM Guzzi used. Accessibility is also an issue - I haven't yet figured out how to safely take the instruments apart. One option to consider is making up a whole new dash, with nice white-face Speedhut gauges, but that concept is fraught with difficulty - what wire goes where & how - as well as cost. A lot of money, time & frustration for a working odometer.

[malik]

*Everybody* knows those small blocks won't hold up for the long haul..  
 
One of the places that the small block isn't superior to the big block  is that pushrod seal. I assume you know that and that's why it leaks.. 

I do now, Chuck. But I also seem to recall it was an ongoing problem with big blocks at one time. There is even a special aftermarket part available to fix it. I must chase that up again to see if a technology transfer is likely. It would be convenient to NOT  have to take the clutch cover off the gearbox every 100,000km.

[sign216]

*Everybody* knows those small blocks won't hold up for the long haul..  
 
One of the places that the small block isn't superior to the big block  is that pushrod seal. I assume you know that and that's why it leaks.. 

Chuck,
I've suspected my pushrod seals too.  Can tell us more about this?
Joe

[Lannis]

I don’t understand the logic behind stopping the count at 200,000x.   It’s a digital device.

I blame the Kilometers.   I always suspected that they weren't as good as plain old "miles", just won't hold up.

The rest of the bike, however, and the rider that rides it, are hard-core in any system of units ....

Lannis

[Huzo]

Drinking that Toohey’s hasn’t done you any harm by looks Malik.

[waxi]

malik, this is just insane! Congrats!!

[JohninVT]

That’s awesome.  Do you have a list of maintenance and unscheduled repairs you’ve performed? 

[SmithSwede]

Malik:  not sure I understood the post above.  Are you saying you somehow added a larger gas tank to your small block?

If so, how?

[huub]

i was pretty proud of my 100.000 km lario, but apparently i am only halfway...
nice results.....

[malik]

Malik:  not sure I understood the post above.  Are you saying you somehow added a larger gas tank to your small block?

If so, how?

The earlier 2TB V7s came out with 15L plastic tanks. After the trouble with the chrome crazing on the Racer tanks, Guzzi changed them to 21L metal ones. They look the same, are a tad bigger all around, but still fit. Parts needed are the tank, fuel pump, tank cap surround & new fuel line. You end up with a 450-500km range, instead of 300km. Effectively, I start thinking about refuelling around 350-400km, instead of 200.

[malik]

That’s awesome.  Do you have a list of maintenance and unscheduled repairs you’ve performed?

Yes, I've kept logs, religiously with the maintenance & repairs, fuel consumption & consumables (tyres, oils, brake pads, etc). Turns out, not quite so religious about the gee gaws & farkles. Extracted some lists, just for interest - thought about putting something up, but that runs the risk of boring the pants off (almost) everybody.  If there's any interest, I could attempt posting up aspects in palatable formats.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Thats awesome.

I think Lannis is correct in blaming the kilometres.

Does the speedo still show speed?
Perhaps the factory didn't think it could possibly reach 200,000 and selected an odometer that would only reach 199,999

Actually the dash would accumulate a unit-less numbers e.g. counts and from there it would be scaled in units of choice miles or km
I suggest you try to change it to miles, that might create some freeboard. not as convenient I know but if it worked.

I wonder what Piaggio would say if they knew of your problem, never know they might even give you a new speedo.

Meanwhile look out for a parts bike.

[sign216]

I suggest you try to change it to miles, that might create some freeboard. not as convenient I know but if it worked.

An interesting idea.  Couldn't hurt to try.

[malik]

According to the Owners Manual, in several places, it can't be done. The dash comes in either Km or it comes in Miles. The temperature units can be changed between C & F & the trip meter can be zeroed, but that's it. But, then again, it also tells us the Trip Fuel counts mileage (kilometres), but I think it counts seconds, certainly nothing related to distance.

A used part is the most likely answer, but even used bits aren't cheap. TLM had one recently for E300, but that around $700 - so out of the question. I don't need an odometer that much. I did get a written off Breva as a parts bike (a different dash) and it's been useful to borrow bits from, but as there is really nothing wrong with it, the current plan is to put the whole lot into a Lario frame (for local regulatory reasons, the Breva frame can't go back on the road) I will have to replace the bits I've borrowed. I'll just have to keep an eye out, hope to get lucky, and meanwhile, live with it. Of course, Johnny at Motociclo has a solution - a new V85 - but that's a little radical.

[Kiwi_Roy]

The speedo on my V7iii can be converted, I can't imagine we can't cross the border here without the option of changing from km to miles, I know my V7iii has the option of units.


$300 is ridiculous for a used speedo, lets all keep our eyes peeled for something more reasonable.
I for one would like to see it go over 300,000

[Bobic69]

Good on ya Mal. You're an inspiration. I've seen different speedo kits for sale online but not cheap either. John let me sit on a sold V85 the other day. Adventure bikes aren't my thing but it looks pretty impressive.

[Lannis]

 TLM had one recently for E300, but that around $700 - so out of the question.

Euros are OK but not THAT OK ... 300 euros is about $339 USD or $489 Aussie dollars.   

Lannis