Here she is! First impressions and advice (used v7 III)

[omguzzi]

Today I went to pick up a used 2018 v7 III stone with 3,000 km on the clock some 170km south of here, and drove it back home via highways.

It was a very good price, and there's a reason: she bears the signs of a previous fall, albeit nothing too extreme i hope. I drove it around a bit, thought it seemed just fine, and I took it without thinking too much.

It is definitely different from my previous bike; I used to have a 2001 honda cb 500 s, which I ended up knowing quite well (until last july when I crashed it beyond repair). The engine is a little gem and it just keeps pushing. I often find myself hitting the limiter, something I will have to get used to. Highways also are probably not the best spot for a first ride, as the wind is noticeable (something I fully expected). I think I'll try to lower the pegs a tiny bit at some point, although it is definitely not urgent and the riding position suits me well in general.
I still have to get used to corner with it properly - I think it's perhaps both because of me being accustomed to a different bike, and not riding one for half year didn't help.
And it sings beautifully :). Have been eyeing Guzzis for years and finally got one!

Then, the questions/concerns:
I don't have an history of service, so I was thinking of bringing it to the guzzi dealer here. Anything particular I should be aware of? I am not sure the previous owner followed the service intervals; considering this, is it something I should be doing sooner rather than later?
I noticed that one of the "bumps" that stop the steering from going too much over to a side is missing, a consequence of the fall. Is there something I should check with particular attention given this kind of damage?
On the right hand side of the engine there is a tiny smearing of oil (see last pic below). It was there before I started, and it didn't get worse after my highway ride. Again, is this something I should look into with some particular attention?

I'll be looking meanwhile for all the documentation available here, as i have no manual, nor I do know suggested service intervals.

Images:

[Ncdan]

Love the green?

[Kiwi_Roy]

Welcome to the forum
At 3000 km the bike may not have had it's first service. To make sure I got the right materials I purchased a kit from the dealer.
It had a whole bunch of gaskets and "O" rings as well as the 3 recommended oils, I just re-used the original parts. You should be able to get a manual from the dealer, its pretty useless.

[omguzzi]

Thanks both - and yes, I love the green (albeit I might have gone black if it was new). I also would consider it as not serviced, as I got no history of it.

[mhershon]

From recent experience: If you change the gear oil in the final drive, use a NEW sealing washer, the one with the rubber ring in it. And if you fill the final drive through the breather cap at the top, it'll take forever. Fill it through the level hole in back. Take the breather cap off and make sure you can blow through it, from the threaded bottom toward the top.

[kingoffleece]

I've never bought a used motorcycle without the plan to go thru it from front to back.  Then I KNOW it's right.

[malik]

Congratulations.

The oil smear - clean it off with degreaser & water, then see how long it takes to come back.
Yes, do a full first service oil change. Then at least you know it has been done properly.
From the photos, it looks like the fall knocked off the end of the clutch lever - replacing it with also re-align the fittings. I have found that if you replace the levers with short ones, you are less likely to land on the lever ends when it does fall over.
Handling - it may just be a different bike than you are used to, but do check the steering head bearings - the bump may have affected them - front wheel in the air, gently move the front end from side to side, checking for notchiness. Also, I have found tyres can make a difference - I get better turn in with Avon AM26 Roadrunners, but that's a personal choice, and can well wait until yours wear out.

Put the miles on, the more the better to learn the bike,  you won't be sorry.

[malik]

Oh, I forgot - while the wheels are up in the air, check the wheel bearings too - spin the wheels, check for notchiness as they go around. Likely to be OK, but you never know, and they are cheap if need replacing.

[MMRanch]

Yea  malik

I like the way those AM26's turn in also , and they last a while too ! 

................... ..........
omguzzi

Welcome to the Guzzi World !      My V-7II is close kin to yours III .   The Guzzi's look different but are really simple to deal with.   They make me thing of a 1960 automobile . 

The "terminology" in the owners manual is somewhat misleading.   Seems like they call the rear-end the Transmission ??? 

Oil changing is easy , knowing how much to put in the transmission is the only guessing game.   The rear-end has a fill hole you can't go past anyway !   The motor has a dip-stick .   Seams like the V7-II transmission takes 500cc of API GL-4 or 5

   

[omguzzi]

Thanks everyone, lots of good advice! I'll run through what I can do myself today and will have a diagnostic ride in the evening. I will also check my options in regards of shorter levers, in the past I found them useful to prevent panic braking, but with ABS perhaps it's less of a concern

[s1120]

How handy are you?  Really so much of the work can be done by yourself with little skill, and not much of a tool investment. Thats one of the great things about a Guzzi. That being said, I run through a dealer for a look over would not be a bad idea... Or if you do want to learn to do the work yourself, maybe find a experienced Guzzi owner near by to give a look over. As for the handling...  Might just be a tire pressure thing also. Too low, or high on these can really effect the turning on it.

[Vagrant]

when worn out switch it to the Conti road attack III radials. whole different bike. helps to drop the forks 1/2" too. looks like they dropped the 100/90 but Guzzi calls for the 110/80 that they still have. whole thread here on them.

[omguzzi]

Thanks all - good suggestions on the tyres, too. Having a read now.
I am not particularly handy although I used to do some (basic) servicing on my old bike. It's definitely something I want to learn - even though I'll bring it over to a dealer this time for a general check and perhaps to try to test ride something :)

[Roebling3]

PLUS 1 on Vagrant's suggestion!  R3~

[Muzz]

The "terminology" in the owners manual is somewhat misleading.   Seems like they call the rear-end the Transmission ??? 

Oil changing is easy , knowing how much to put in the transmission is the only guessing game.   The rear-end has a fill hole you can't go past anyway !   The motor has a dip-stick .   Seams like the V7-II transmission takes 500cc of API GL-4 or 5
 

Yeah, the "transmission" is the rear end.  It will take either 170ml or 190ml, the Breva takes 190 but I may have heard that they changed it.  On my first change I carefully measured the 190 and it just started to drip out of the fill hole.  I tend to fill it via the vent hole; I make sure the vent is clear and clean at the same time.  A blocked vent often leads to weeping seals in the rear.

Just check on that 500cc in the gearbox.  The Breva/earlier V7's took a litre.   The 6 speeders take less I know, not sure on the V7ll.

[omguzzi]

Just a first update - I did check the steer bearings to the best of my possibilities and all seemed ok. I checked the pressure then (stupid of me not doing it before driving it home, I trusted the seller) and they were way too low. Pumped it back to factory standards and the bike is suddenly a delight to drive around.

There is however a little hole with something in it on the front tyre. I'll check if it drops pressure in the coming days and will have it filled

[Muzz]

 

Ooops, the heading is V7lll.  Should have put my glasses on.  I thought it said V7ll.

[80CX100]

The "terminology" in the owners manual is somewhat misleading.   Seems like they call the rear-end the Transmission ??? 
 

^^^^^ This, to the OP, I'm not sure how mechanically inclined you are, or what space you have a available (DIY coop garages may be an option), but learning how to take good care of your own bike, is cheap peace of mind.

     It would be a shame to blow the seals out of the rear end and burn up your tranny because the local part time kid working down at your local dealer, lost something in the Italian translation of the manual for proper fluid levels.

    I love the subdued green color and the blacked out effect, very nice bike.

    Wishing you many safe miles and smiles on your new ride 

    Kelly

[malik]

The right amount of air makes a big difference. Good catch. As you ride it more, you'll get to know when something is a little off. Only a "little hole"? Yes keep an eye on it. If it's a mushroom plug, they CAN last the rest of the tyres life, but I have known them to slow leak. If it's a stick plug, or anything else, a new tyre is recommended.

Have a great trip, a few photos is passing would be nice. Setting off myself this morning for a week. Life is tough.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Just as a reference point the first service is at around 1,500 km
All 3 oils are changed then after that
Engine oil and filter every 10,000 km also Check valve adjustment
Gearbox every 60,000 km
Rear Drive Every 20,000 km

[sidecarnutz]

That smear of oil on the engine. Is it next to a joint in the exhaust pipe? It just looks to me like some soot blown out of a joint vice a oil weep. Like others have said, clean it and then just watch it over time.
I would give the bike a full and careful service and call it good.
Love that color too! Congrats on your new to you ride!

[SmithSwede]

Welcome to the forum.  And to Guzzi world.    You bought an excellent small block Guzzi.     Well done!   These things are addictive.   And I too like the green.

My only comment is that you seem to have some weird tape crap on the exhaust pipes.   I have never understood that look, perhaps because of the induced vomiting.     I’d take that stuff off.   It screams “clueless poser.”  Just my opinion.   I could be wrong.

That’s mostly an aesthetic judgment from an old purist.   If you really like it, well, rock on.   Don’t listen to this curmudgeon.

Signed,

Not a Fan of Exhaust Pipes With Bandages.

[omguzzi]

You are not wrong re: that tape. The sooner it goes the better

Off to some servicing now :)

[Moparnut72]

Common for Harleyites to do. It's said that it causes the pipes to rust out. I don't like it either but it is your bike.
kk

[not-fishing]

Love the green?

For some reason I've been favoring Green a lot lately too.

Verde que te quiero verde

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxIMKBsxaQk&list=RDLxIMKBsxaQk&start_radio=1&t=11

[bad Chad]

The tape is fine.  If you like it don’t let these old farts influence you.

[twowheeladdict]

Common for Harleyites to do. It's said that it causes the pipes to rust out. I don't like it either but it is your bike.
kk

It acts as a heat shield so the exhaust heat goes out the tailpipe instead of burning the rider.

I added it to a Kawasaki but then covered it with the chrome heat shield and it made the bike much more comfortable for me and passenger.

The black pipes on the V7III are double walled, but are not high quality coated so he might find that they will need to be ceramic coated when he pulls the exhaust wrap off. 

[Old Jock]

Pretty bike & welcome, I don't know much about the later generation of bikes (some on here would say I don't know much about the earlier ones either)

I don't believe wrapped pipes are a problem.

The only problem with wrapping is IF you do a lot of wet weather riding and you don't seal the wrap every now and again. The wrap will then saturate and could lead to corossion issues.

I've got wrapped pipes on my LM1000 and had zero issues, but I'm a fair weather rider and the bike is stored dry. What happened with mine was I got them Cermachromed then changed my mind and got them coated black. Due to the Cermachrome the black headers started to flake so I just wrapped them, that has got to be around 8 years back with no issues whatsoever

Ceramic coated pipes (jet coat in the US?) look much nicer though IMHO, if I was getting them done I'd get both the internal and external coating

[nobleswood]

Omguzzi,

My advise; figure out who's near where you are, go say 'Hi'. Get to a rally near you. You'll be amazed at how friendly & helpful these greyhairs can be 

I was with a bunch of Guzzista last weekend at a friends house; we helpfully took a couple of his bikes apart in no time ! Most of the pieces went back together 

[omguzzi]

Thanks everyone!

I had it serviced the other day and removed the tape, I didn't particularly like it and wanted to see if there were scratches underneath (answer: yes on one side, albeit minor, sprayed it black).

I went for a short ride on the hills nearby this morning, I don't know the area yet and there are some sweet roads around here. I didn't take pics as I didn't want to stop but I definitely will.

The bike is a joy to ride. The only thing I am keeping an eye on is the repair on the tyre: I cut it so the "blob" of rubber sticks out from the tyre only a few mms, but after today's ride the sticky patch doesn't seem to adhere perfectly to where the hole was. I'll check the pressure to see how it fares.