Author Topic: My first Guzzi, a 1996 Nevada 350... or is it? (Read 7694 times)

FJGUZZI · « **on:** August 10, 2019, 03:33:17 PM »

Hi guys, my name is Jorge and I am from Portugal.

I recently bought my first Moto Guzzi after searching for some 6 months for a small block, 350 or 500, that would help me get back into riding a motorcycle before I purchase and brand new one, most probably a V7.

My last bike was a Yamaha YZ125 and that was 23 years ago! In my late 40's, with two adult kids already I am now experiencing more freedom and wanted to enjoy some of the 250 days + of sun per year on my own...

I wanted a scrambler styled bike as I am surrounded by mountains and fantastic dirt tracks so when I finally found this Nevada 350 with 15000 kms going for €2500 I had to part with the cash. My Mrs wasn't amused with the idea, having known me when I regularly rode the YZ and fell down a few times, some carrying injuries, but I had to go for it.

I just love staring at it. It brings me back great memories.

Now, the bike is below, it was bought like this, already customized in a rad transformation that makes it nowhere near the original Nevada...

I am happy with it so far, after 2 months and some 1000 kms, not much you may say but I intend to use it more when I work on the front forks that are just too soft and make it quite uncomfortable after say 30 minutes of b and c roads bumps.. (may just be time for an oil change).

Everything else is fine, maybe apart from the idle being quite high all the time (2-2500 rpm) and my mechanic already rebuilt the carbs and tuned the screws.. I checked the sparks, and they look fine so I am not sure why this happens...

What do you think? what would you do to it mechanically, knowing that it is a 23 yo bike and may need care in this or that aspect? I am a total newbie to Guzzies but you guys are obviously experts!

Also, what do you think of the look of it?

I will be sure to spend some quality time reading through old posts re: Nevadas but your input is much appreciated!

cheers
Jorge

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2019, 07:59:04 PM »

Nice bike

Dusty

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2019, 08:09:44 PM »

Nice, I don't think that model is available in Nth America.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2019, 08:10:48 PM »

WOW, that is very nice! Congrats.

dguzzi · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2019, 08:15:13 PM »

Agreed, that looks great! A well done custom is always cool!

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2019, 09:14:30 PM »

Nice, are the throttle cables hung up or not adjusted right?

RinkRat II · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2019, 10:51:57 PM »

Welcome Jorge, as foto sez, check the throttle cables for sticking or too short. Another possibility is a vacuum leak, spray some carb cleaner around the intakes while idling and see what happens. Congrats on a very nice bike!

Paul B

pebra · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2019, 03:58:46 AM »

Hi Jorge, welcome to the board, good to see more Europeans here!

The bike looks beautiful, hope you can get the fork and idle fixed.
I didn't even know there was a 350 Nevada!

pat80flh · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2019, 05:11:53 AM »

The high idle may be caused by the ignition advance unit(assuming it has one),which needs periodic cleaning and lubrication.

yogidozer · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2019, 05:50:31 AM »

NICE! First one like that I've seen.
Take fotoguzzi's advice and check out the cables. Maybe they got kinked at some time and not sliding like they should.

jas67 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2019, 06:37:37 AM »

That looks great, Jorge!

Welcome to the Guzzi addiction.
You'll have another before you know it.

Mayor_of_BBQ · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2019, 07:12:53 AM »

Nice bike Jorge, looks like a great ride for cruising the dirt roads!

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2019, 07:15:27 AM »

The advance unit on the small block

needs to be cleaned and lubricated once a year. That is my best guess. Very nicely done bike..
Edit:
All this is *assuming* it isn't electronic ignition. I missed the 96 in the equation.

Turin · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2019, 11:33:27 AM »

That's a great looking Nevada.

menzies · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2019, 12:56:32 PM »

Very nice and well thought out machine. Welcome.

FJGUZZI · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2019, 08:53:04 AM »

Thanks for the amazing feedback from everybody!

I will check the cables for necessary adjustment... the throttle cable seems too long in reality. I also purchased new Iridium spark plugs so lets see.

I will sure be posting here soon!

have a good day,

best
J

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2019, 12:51:23 PM »

So does it or does in not have an advance plate on the front of the cam?

pehayes · « **Reply #17 on:** August 12, 2019, 01:03:53 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on August 11, 2019, 07:15:27 AM

The advance unit on the small block needs to be cleaned and lubricated once a year. That is my best guess. Very nicely done bike..
Edit:
All this is *assuming* it isn't electronic ignition. I missed the 96 in the equation.

+1 on the advancer idea. Not sure what ignition system is used in 1996. Idle should be 1800 I think.

You should also consider to join the "small_block_guzzi" forum on Yahoo Groups. Good information resides there.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

bad Chad · « **Reply #18 on:** August 12, 2019, 04:06:13 PM »

I won't stake my life on it, but I think points and such were history on all Guzzi by 96.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2019, 04:20:17 PM »

Quote from: bad Chad on August 12, 2019, 04:06:13 PM

I won't stake my life on it, but I think points and such were history on all Guzzi by 96.

Yeah, you would think so, but it has carbs. Needless to say, I have never seen a V35..

Muzz · « **Reply #20 on:** August 12, 2019, 04:22:32 PM »

Nice looking bike Jorge. I must say it is a lot better looking than the standard Nevada.

Bazil · « **Reply #21 on:** August 12, 2019, 04:26:40 PM »

My 1991 V40 has electronic sparks, so I'm sure that by 1996 the Nevada must have the same..... or not - it is a guzzi after all. If the factory had a box of points left over they still could have put them on

Muzz · « **Reply #22 on:** August 12, 2019, 04:31:12 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on August 12, 2019, 04:20:17 PM

Yeah, you would think so, but it has carbs. Needless to say, I have never seen a V35..

Just looking through photos of 350 Guzzis Chuck and I am wondering if it is actually a V35 Imola that someone has put Nevada forks on. Tank looks definitely like an Imola.

FJGUZZI · « **Reply #23 on:** August 12, 2019, 05:51:46 PM »

It's definitely a Nevada guys.. it says that in the Property ownership documents that were transferred to me.

And yes, it has electronic ignition, "Magneti Marelli Digiplex". It cranks beautifully every time.

The manual says the idle screw should be a 1 + 1/2 turns, It wasn't when I checked a couple of hours ago and now that I set it at that, it is actually a little better but after riding for 1 hour, it still sits at 2000 rpm... she's a high revving machine eheh.

Will be back with more updated.

thanks guys!

yogidozer · « **Reply #24 on:** August 12, 2019, 06:05:00 PM »

Quote from: FJGUZZI on August 12, 2019, 05:51:46 PM

It's definitely a Nevada guys.. it says that in the Property ownership documents that were transferred to me.

And yes, it has electronic ignition, "Magneti Marelli Digiplex". It cranks beautifully every time.

The manual says the idle screw should be a 1 + 1/2 turns, It wasn't when I checked a couple of hours ago and now that I set it at that, it is actually a little better but after riding for 1 hour, it still sits at 2000 rpm... she's a high revving machine eheh.

Will be back with more updated.

thanks guys!

Not to be a jerk, but are you sure you are not confusing the idle mixture adjustment with the idle speed screw?
Idle mixture adjustment, in most cases has a starting set 1 1/2 turns out from a gentle turned in position.
The mixture screw should be the recessed one, the idle screw is the other one.
I'm guessing it's a dellorto carb.?

FJGUZZI · « **Reply #25 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:09:50 AM »

Quote from: yogidozer on August 12, 2019, 06:05:00 PM

Not to be a jerk, but are you sure you are not confusing the idle mixture adjustment with the idle speed screw?
Idle mixture adjustment, in most cases has a starting set 1 1/2 turns out from a gentle turned in position.
The mixture screw should be the recessed one, the idle screw is the other one.
I'm guessing it's a dellorto carb.?

Thanks for pointing this out... yes it's a Dellorto PHBH28 DB/BS, but I am aware of the 2 screws and have only applied 1 1/2 turns to the idle speed screw...

Now, whats the ideal setting for the idle mixture screw? in terms of turns? should I experiment?

thanks!

FJGUZZI · « **Reply #26 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:16:57 AM »

Quote from: FJGUZZI on August 13, 2019, 05:09:50 AM

Thanks for pointing this out... yes it's a Dellorto PHBH28 DB/BS, but I am aware of the 2 screws and have only applied 1 1/2 turns to the idle speed screw...

Now, whats the ideal setting for the idle mixture screw? in terms of turns? should I experiment?

thanks!

I should read this: http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzitech.dk/gb_en_technical_carburetor-dellorto-manual.htm#a_guide_to_the_choice-_setting_and_use_of_tapered_needle_motorcycle_carburettors

point 3.4 explains in detail...

yogidozer · « **Reply #27 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:27:43 AM »

The 1 1/2 turns out is in reference to the mixture screw. That can be tweaked depending on altitude, fuel type, etc.
The idle speed screw should be adjusted to the idle speed. Usually about 800 or so RPMs.
Once your idle is where you want it, then you can tweak the mixture screw to obtain the highest idle speed.
You then may, or may not need to adjust the idle speed screw again to get your desired rpms.

yogidozer · « **Reply #28 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:32:47 AM »

If you can, try to get a copy of Guzziology. An older version is fine.
Not sure of shipping cost to Portugal, but maybe someone here has a copy?
To me, it's easier to adjust a carb. than to explain it. I'm sure once you do it, it will be for you too.

FJGUZZI · « **Reply #29 on:** August 13, 2019, 08:40:05 AM »

Quote from: yogidozer on August 13, 2019, 05:32:47 AM

If you can, try to get a copy of Guzziology. An older version is fine.
Not sure of shipping cost to Portugal, but maybe someone here has a copy?
To me, it's easier to adjust a carb. than to explain it. I'm sure once you do it, it will be for you too.

Thanks for the couple of posts! I will try as you say.

As for Guzziology, I have a mate of a mate that has a copy, I will ask him to lend it to me!

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Author Topic: My first Guzzi, a 1996 Nevada 350... or is it? (Read 7694 times)

oldbike54